Core i3-4012Y
VS
A4-5000

Core i3-4012Y vs A4-5000

Intel

Core i3-4012Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013
VS
AMD

A4-5000

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4012Y is positioned at rank 526 and the A4-5000 is on rank 847, so the Core i3-4012Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4012Y

#167
Core Ultra 7 258V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $400
99%
#169
Core i7-1280P
MSRP: $482|Avg: $482
98%
#514
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
689%
#515
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
679%
#516
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
623%
#517
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
620%
#518
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
615%
#520
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
593%
#521
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
569%
#522
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
568%
#523
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
553%
#526
Core i3-4012Y
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A4-5000

#835
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1371%
#836
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1351%
#837
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1240%
#838
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1235%
#839
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1223%
#841
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1181%
#842
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1133%
#843
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1131%
#844
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1100%
#847
A4-5000
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#852
Pentium P6300
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
98%
#854
E-350
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
98%
#856
Ryzen Embedded R1305G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $50
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-4012Y leads in gaming performance. However, the A4-5000 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i3-4012YA4-5000
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Kabini (2013−2014) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-4012YA4-5000
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4012Y and A4-5000

Intel

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.

AMD

A4-5000

The A4-5000 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,284 points. Launch price was $50.

Processing Power

The Core i3-4012Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A4-5000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A4-5000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4012Y versus 1.5 GHz on the A4-5000 — identical boost frequencies. The Core i3-4012Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the A4-5000 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4012Y scores 1,278 against the A4-5000's 1,284 — a 0.5% lead for the A4-5000. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 485 vs 158, a 101.7% lead for the Core i3-4012Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4012Y vs 0 kB on the A4-5000.

FeatureCore i3-4012YA4-5000
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
1.5 GHz
1.5 GHz
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
2048 kB+300%
Process
22 nm-21%
28 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Kabini (2013−2014)
PassMark
1,278
1,284
Geekbench 6 Single
485+207%
158
Geekbench 6 Multi
988
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4012Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A4-5000 uses FT3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-4012Y) vs 1 (A4-5000). PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4012Y) vs 8 (A4-5000) — the Core i3-4012Y offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i3-4012YA4-5000
Socket
FCBGA1168
FT3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2+100%
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12+50%
8
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i3-4012Y) vs AMD-V (A4-5000). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4012Y) and Radeon HD 8330 (A4-5000) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4012Y targets Low Power, A4-5000 targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: A4-5000 rivals Pentium N3520.

FeatureCore i3-4012YA4-5000
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4200
Radeon HD 8330
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x / EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Low Power
Entry Laptop