Core i3-4110M vs Core i5-4288U

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 i3-4110M vs Core i5-4288U 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 i3-4110M vs Core i5-4288U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4110M

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-4288U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,659 vs 2,678).
❌Launch MSRP is still $342 MSRP, while Core i3-4110M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4110M better than Core i5-4288U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4288U is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4110M pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4110M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4110M is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-4110M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $342 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i5-4288U only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Core i3-4110M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) 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 i3-4110M vs Core i5-4288U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4110M

The Core i3-4110M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 2,678 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-4288U

The Core i5-4288U 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,659 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4110M and Core i5-4288U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-4110M versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4288U — a 17.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4288U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-4110M scores 2,678 against the Core i5-4288U's 2,659 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-4110M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4110M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4288U.

Feature	Core i3-4110M	Core i5-4288U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.1 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,678	2,659
Geekbench 6 Single	—	880
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,800

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4110M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4288U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-4110M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4110M) vs 12 (Core i5-4288U) — the Core i3-4110M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-4110M	Core i5-4288U
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4110M) vs true (Core i5-4288U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4110M) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4288U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4110M targets Mobile, Core i5-4288U targets Mobile.