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 i7-4500U 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 i7-4500U: 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

✅Costs $260 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $398 MSRP).
✅Delivers 184.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.8 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $398 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,460 vs 2,490).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4500U

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅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

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($398 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250 better than Core i7-4500U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3250 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4500U pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-4500U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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 $260 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $398 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-4500U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 184.9% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4500U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB) 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 i3-3250 vs Core i7-4500U 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 i7-4500U

The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3250 and Core i7-4500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-3250 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4500U uses Haswell-ULT (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3250 scores 2,460 against the Core i7-4500U's 2,490 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-4500U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i7-4500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+94%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell-ULT (2013)
PassMark	2,460	2,490+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4500U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i7-4500U
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-3250) / true (Core i7-4500U). The Core i7-4500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i3-3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i7-4500U
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 4400
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3250 was priced at $138, while the Core i7-4500U came in at $398. On launch pricing ($138 vs $398), Core i3-3250 was $260 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250 delivers 17.8 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-4500U — making the Core i3-3250 the 96.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3250	Core i7-4500U
MSRP	$138-65%	$398
Performance per Dollar	17.8+183%	6.3
Release Date	2013	2013

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