Core i3-4130T vs Core i5-5257U

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 i3-4130T vs Core i5-5257U 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 i3-4130T vs Core i5-5257U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130T

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-5257U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (890 vs 950).
❌Launch MSRP is still $124 MSRP, while Core i5-5257U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-5257U

2015

Why buy it

✅+6.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,837 vs 2,876).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4130T better than Core i5-5257U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5257U 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 i3-4130T pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4130T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4130T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $124 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-5257U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-5257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4130T vs Core i5-5257U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130T

The Core i3-4130T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,876 points. Launch price was $270.

Core i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4130T and Core i5-5257U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-4130T versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-5257U — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-5257U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-4130T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-5257U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130T scores 2,876 against the Core i5-5257U's 2,837 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-4130T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 890 vs 950, a 6.5% lead for the Core i5-5257U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-5257U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+7%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,876+1%	2,837
Geekbench 6 Single	890	950+7%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,900

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5257U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4130T versus LPDDR3 1866 MHz on the Core i5-5257U — the Core i5-5257U supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4130T 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 i3-4130T) vs 12 (Core i5-5257U) — the Core i3-4130T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4130T) and Broadwell-U (Core i5-5257U).

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-5257U
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	LPDDR3 1866 MHz+17%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4130T) vs true (Core i5-5257U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4130T) and Intel Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i5-5257U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-5257U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130T rivals A8-7600.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-5257U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	Intel Iris Graphics 6100
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	true
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	Mobile