Core i3-4158U
VS
Core i5-2415M

Core i3-4158U vs Core i5-2415M

Intel

Core i3-4158U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i5-2415M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

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 i3-4158U is positioned at rank 576 and the Core i5-2415M is on rank 898, so the Core i3-4158U 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 i3-4158U

#179
Core i7-1260P
MSRP: $432|Avg: $432
100%
#564
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
764%
#565
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
752%
#566
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
691%
#567
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
688%
#568
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
681%
#570
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
658%
#571
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
631%
#572
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
630%
#573
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
613%
#576
Core i3-4158U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#583
Processor N100
MSRP: $128|Avg: $100
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2415M

#886
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1518%
#887
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1496%
#888
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1373%
#889
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1367%
#890
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1354%
#892
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1308%
#893
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1254%
#894
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1252%
#895
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1218%
#898
Core i5-2415M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#900
Core i7-8705G
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
99%
#902
Pentium Dual Core T2410
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
98%
#903
FX-8800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
98%
#905
Core i7-8809G
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
97%
#911
Core i7-6820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
96%
#912
Athlon II Neo K325
MSRP: $60|Avg: $25
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2415M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-4158U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-4158UCore i5-2415M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-4158UCore i5-2415M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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 i3-4158U and Core i5-2415M

Intel

Core i3-4158U

The Core i3-4158U 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,921 points. Launch price was $315.

Intel

Core i5-2415M

The Core i5-2415M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,933 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4158U and Core i5-2415M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4158U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-2415M — a 36.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2415M (base: 2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-4158U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2415M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4158U scores 1,921 against the Core i5-2415M's 1,933 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2415M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i3-4158UCore i5-2415M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2 GHz
2.9 GHz+45%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,921
1,933
Geekbench 6 Single
457
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4158U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2415M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4158U) vs 16 (Core i5-2415M) — the Core i5-2415M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i3-4158UCore i5-2415M
Socket
FCBGA1168
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
16+33%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-4158U) vs VT-x (Core i5-2415M). Both include integrated graphics Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i3-4158U) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2415M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4158U targets Multimedia, Core i5-2415M targets Mobile.

FeatureCore i3-4158UCore i5-2415M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Iris Graphics 5100
HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x / VT-d / EPT
VT-x
Target Use
Multimedia
Mobile