Core i3-4158U vs Core i5-520UM
Core i3-4158U
Core i5-520UM
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 i5-520UM is on rank 130, so the Core i5-520UM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4158U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4158U | Core i5-520UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower 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 (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4158U | Core i5-520UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 i5-520UM
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.
Core i5-520UM
The Core i5-520UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.07 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,943 points. Launch price was $241.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-4158U and Core i5-520UM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i3-4158U versus 1.87 GHz on the Core i5-520UM — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-4158U (base: 2 GHz vs 1.07 GHz). The Core i3-4158U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-520UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4158U scores 1,921 against the Core i5-520UM's 1,943 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-520UM. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4158U vs 3 MB on the Core i5-520UM.
| Feature | Core i3-4158U | Core i5-520UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz+7% | 1.87 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz+87% | 1.07 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,921 | 1,943+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 457 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4158U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-520UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4158U versus 800 on the Core i5-520UM — the Core i5-520UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4158U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-4158U) vs 16 (Core i5-520UM) — the Core i5-520UM offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4158U) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-520UM).
| Feature | Core i3-4158U | Core i5-520UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | 800+26567% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+209715100% | 8 |
| 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 true (Core i5-520UM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i3-4158U) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-520UM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4158U targets Multimedia. Direct competitor: Core i5-520UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.
| Feature | Core i3-4158U | Core i5-520UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x / VT-d / EPT | true |
| Target Use | Multimedia | — |
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