Core i3-4120U vs Core i5-3439Y

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 i3-4120U vs Core i5-3439Y 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 i3-4120U vs Core i5-3439Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4120U

2014

Why buy it

✅+10.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (462 vs 472).

Core i5-3439Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (966 vs 1,071).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3439Y better than Core i3-4120U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3439Y is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4120U pulls ahead with 10.9% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4120U is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3439Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-3439Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-4120U 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 i3-4120U vs Core i5-3439Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4120U

The Core i3-4120U 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,948 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-3439Y

The Core i5-3439Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,957 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4120U and Core i5-3439Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4120U versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-3439Y — a 14% clock advantage for the Core i5-3439Y (base: 2 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-4120U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-3439Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4120U scores 1,948 against the Core i5-3439Y's 1,957 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3439Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 462 vs 472, a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-3439Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,071 vs 966 (10.3% advantage for the Core i3-4120U). L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4120U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3439Y.

Feature	Core i3-4120U	Core i5-3439Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.3 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2 GHz+33%	1.5 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)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,948	1,957
Geekbench 6 Single	462	472+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,071+11%	966

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4120U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3439Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3439Y 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: 12 (Core i3-4120U) vs 16 (Core i5-3439Y) — the Core i5-3439Y offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4120U) and 7-series (Core i5-3439Y).

Feature	Core i3-4120U	Core i5-3439Y
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-4120U) vs VT-x (Core i5-3439Y). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4120U) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3439Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3439Y targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3439Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.