Core i3-4100M vs Core i5-4310U

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013

Core i5-4310U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4100M

2 / 4

2,531

+0.2%

2,525

0.0%

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 i3-4100M is positioned at rank 114 and the Core i5-4310U is on rank 785, so the Core i3-4100M 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 i3-4100M

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

100%

#102

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

290%

#103

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

286%

#104

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

262%

#105

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

261%

#106

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

259%

#108

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

250%

#109

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

239%

#110

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

239%

#111

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

233%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

100%

#126

Celeron N4000

MSRP: $107|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4310U

#773

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1162%

#774

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1145%

#775

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1051%

#776

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1046%

#777

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1037%

#779

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1001%

#780

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

960%

#781

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

958%

#782

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

933%

#785

Core i5-4310U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#790

Athlon 64 TF-20

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

99%

#795

Core i3-1115G4E

MSRP: $213|Avg: $47

97%

#797

Celeron M 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

#799

Celeron B815

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-4310U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4100M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-4100M	Core i5-4310U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-4100M	Core i5-4310U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core i3-4100M Benchmark Check

Core i5-4310U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4100M and Core i5-4310U

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-4310U

The Core i5-4310U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,525 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4100M and Core i5-4310U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-4310U — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-4310U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Core i5-4310U's 2,525 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4100M. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i5-4310U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,531	2,525

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4310U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Core i5-4310U
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) / not specified (Core i5-4310U). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-4310U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.