Core i3-2340UE vs Core i5-4202Y

Intel

Core i3-2340UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i5-4202Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2 GHz2013

Core i3-2340UE vs Core i5-4202Y Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-2340UE vs Core i5-4202Y FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-2340UE vs Core i5-4202Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-2340UE

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 17W instead of 512W, a 495W reduction.
  • βœ…33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (230 vs 589).
  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,545 vs 1,552).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i5-4202Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4202Y

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…+156.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

  • ❌2911.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4202Y better than Core i3-2340UE?
Yes. Core i5-4202Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.5% better PassMark and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4202Y has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 156.1% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4202Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-4202Y is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4202Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% higher PassMark. Core i3-2340UE only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4202Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-2340UE vs Core i5-4202Y Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i3-2340UE

The Core i3-2340UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,545 points. Launch price was $250.

Intel

Core i5-4202Y

The Core i5-4202Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,552 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2340UE and Core i5-4202Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core i3-2340UE versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-4202Y β€” a 42.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4202Y. The Core i3-2340UE uses the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4202Y uses Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2340UE scores 1,545 against the Core i5-4202Y's 1,552 β€” a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-4202Y. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 230 vs 589, a 87.7% lead for the Core i5-4202Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2340UE vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4202Y.

FeatureCore i3-2340UECore i5-4202Y
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.3 GHz
2 GHz+54%
Base Clock
β€”
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB+100%
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013)
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
PassMark
1,545
1,552
Geekbench 6 Single
230
589+156%
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
1,030
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2340UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4202Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2340UE versus DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4202Y β€” the Core i5-4202Y supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2340UE) vs 12 (Core i5-4202Y) β€” the Core i3-2340UE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67 (Core i3-2340UE) and HM86,HM87 (Core i5-4202Y).

FeatureCore i3-2340UECore i5-4202Y
Socket
BGA1023
FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
No
PCIe Lanes
16+33%
12
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2340UE) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i5-4202Y). Both include integrated graphics β€” HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2340UE) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i5-4202Y) β€” useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2340UE targets Embedded, Core i5-4202Y targets Ultra-portable. Direct competitor: Core i3-2340UE rivals Embedded G-Series.

FeatureCore i3-2340UECore i5-4202Y
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Intel HD Graphics 4200
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
VT-x / EPT
Target Use
Embedded
Ultra-portable