Core i3-4025U vs Core i5-2415M

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 i3-4025U vs Core i5-2415M 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 i3-4025U vs Core i5-2415M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4025U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2415M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-2415M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Core i3-4025U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,933 vs 1,949).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4025U better than Core i5-2415M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2415M is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4025U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4025U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4025U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4025U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-4025U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 i3-4025U vs Core i5-2415M Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4025U

The Core i3-4025U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 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 1.9 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: 1,949 points. Launch price was $275.

Core i5-2415M

The Core i5-2415M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 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 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,933 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4025U and Core i5-2415M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-4025U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-2415M — a 41.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2415M (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-4025U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2415M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4025U scores 1,949 against the Core i5-2415M's 1,933 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-4025U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4025U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2415M.

Feature	Core i3-4025U	Core i5-2415M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	2.9 GHz+53%
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.3 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,949	1,933

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4025U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2415M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4025U	Core i5-2415M
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-4025U) / VT-x (Core i5-2415M). The Core i5-2415M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i3-4025U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2415M targets Mobile.