Core i3-4100M
VS
Core i5-750

Core i3-4100M vs Core i5-750

Intel

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i5-750

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2009

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 i3-4100M is positioned at rank 114 and the Core i5-750 is on rank 960, 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 i5-750

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
25719%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
24302%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
17645%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
5316%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
4211%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3683%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2110%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2082%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1896%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1896%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1875%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1824%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1798%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1791%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1775%
#959
Core i3-4150
MSRP: $281|Avg: $70
100%
#960
Core i5-750
MSRP: $210|Avg: $30
100%
#961
Core i3-2100T
MSRP: $127|Avg: $127
100%
#962
Pentium E2210
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
99%
#963
Core i3-560
MSRP: $138|Avg: $10
98%
#964
Core i3-550
MSRP: $138|Avg: $5
98%
#965
Core i7-980
MSRP: $583|Avg: $50
98%
#966
Pentium G3250
MSRP: $171|Avg: $25
97%
#967
Pentium E2200
MSRP: $84|Avg: $5
97%
#968
Core 2 Duo E7300
MSRP: $133|Avg: $133
96%
#969
Core i3-540
MSRP: $133|Avg: $5
96%
#971
Phenom II X3 700e
MSRP: $125|Avg: $40
96%
#972
Core i5-760
MSRP: $230|Avg: $61
96%
#973
Core i3-7102E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $80
95%
#974
Core 2 Quad Q8400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $128
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-750 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-4100M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
More affordable ($30)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-750 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 70% cheaper ($30 vs $99) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+232%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
More affordable ($30)

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 i3-4100M and Core i5-750

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-750

The Core i5-750 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,546 points. Launch price was $150.

Processing Power

The Core i3-4100M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-750 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-750 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-750 — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-750 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i3-4100M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-750 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Core i5-750's 2,546 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-750. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-750.

FeatureCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz
3.2 GHz+28%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.66 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
3 MB
8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark
2,531
2,546
Geekbench 6 Single
424
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-750 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-4100M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
Socket
PGA946
LGA1156
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+100%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-750). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-750 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile, Core i5-750 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-750 rivals Phenom II X4 965.

FeatureCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mobile
Legacy Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-4100M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-750 debuted at $210. At current prices ($99 vs $30), the Core i5-750 is $69 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4100M delivers 25.6 pts/$ vs 84.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-750 — making the Core i5-750 the 107.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-4100MCore i5-750
MSRP
$225
$210-7%
Avg Price (30d)
$99
$30-70%
Performance per Dollar
25.6
84.9+232%
Release Date
2013
2009