CPU
GPU
Core i3-5010U
Core i5-4250U
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 i3-5010U is positioned at rank 521 and the Core i5-4250U is on rank 100, so the Core i5-4250U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4250U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-5010U | Core i5-4250U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-5010U | Core i5-4250U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i3-5010U and Core i5-4250U
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.
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 |
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 | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 12 |
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 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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