Core i3-2350M vs Core i3-4012Y

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 i3-2350M vs Core i3-4012Y 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 i3-2350M vs Core i3-4012Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2350M

2011

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (390 vs 485).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (806 vs 988).

Core i3-4012Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+24.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4012Y better than Core i3-2350M?

Yes. Core i3-4012Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 22.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher 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 i3-4012Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4012Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 22.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4012Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4012Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4012Y 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 i3-2350M vs Core i3-4012Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2350M

The Core i3-2350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,276 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i3-4012Y

The Core i3-4012Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 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: 1,278 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2350M and Core i3-4012Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-2350M versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y — a 42.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-2350M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-2350M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4012Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2350M scores 1,276 against the Core i3-4012Y's 1,278 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4012Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 390 vs 485, a 21.7% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 806 vs 988 (20.3% advantage for the Core i3-4012Y). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2350M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y.

Feature	Core i3-2350M	Core i3-4012Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+53%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+53%	1.5 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 (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,276	1,278
Geekbench 6 Single	390	485+24%
Geekbench 6 Multi	806	988+23%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2350M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4012Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2350M versus DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4012Y — the Core i3-4012Y 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 i3-2350M) vs 12 (Core i3-4012Y) — the Core i3-2350M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i3-2350M) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i3-4012Y).

Feature	Core i3-2350M	Core i3-4012Y
Socket	PGA988	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	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2350M) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2350M) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2350M targets Laptop, Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power.

Feature	Core i3-2350M	Core i3-4012Y
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 4200
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Laptop	Low Power