Core i3-5010U vs Core i5-4250U

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 i3-5010U vs Core i5-4250U 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 i3-5010U vs Core i5-4250U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5010U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (737 vs 770).

Core i5-4250U

2013

Why buy it

✅+4.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,157).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5010U better than Core i5-4250U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4250U is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5010U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5010U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5010U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-5010U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-5010U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i3-5010U vs Core i5-4250U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-4250U

The Core i5-4250U 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 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $430.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-5010U and Core i5-4250U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4250U — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-4250U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i3-5010U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4250U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5010U scores 2,157 against the Core i5-4250U's 2,144 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5010U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 737 vs 770, a 4.4% lead for the Core i5-4250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Core i5-4250U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+62%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,157	2,144
Geekbench 6 Single	737	770+4%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,450

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Core i5-4250U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4250U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5010U) and HD Graphics 5000 (Core i5-4250U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-4250U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P; Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Core i5-4250U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 5500	HD Graphics 5000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Budget