Core i3-3250 vs Core i5-4300U

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 i3-3250 vs Core i5-4300U 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 i3-3250 vs Core i5-4300U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3250

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,460 vs 2,482).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core i5-4300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4300U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-4300U

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4400, while Core i3-3250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-3250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250 better than Core i5-4300U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3250 is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-3250 is the better buy right now. Core i3-3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4300U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i3-3250 vs Core i5-4300U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3250

The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.

Core i5-4300U

The Core i5-4300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,482 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3250 and Core i5-4300U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4300U — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i3-3250 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4300U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3250 scores 2,460 against the Core i5-4300U's 2,482 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4300U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4300U.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i5-4300U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+84%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,460	2,482
Geekbench 6 Single	—	607
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,722

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4300U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i5-4300U
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3250) / Yes (Core i5-4300U). The Core i5-4300U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i3-3250 requires a dedicated GPU.