Core i3-5010U vs Pentium N4200

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 Pentium N4200 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 Pentium N4200: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5500, while Pentium N4200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,157 vs 2,158).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 MSRP, while Core i3-5010U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5010U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N4200 better than Core i3-5010U?

Yes. Pentium N4200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium N4200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N4200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N4200 is the better buy right now. Pentium N4200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $161 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium N4200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 Pentium N4200 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.

Pentium N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-5010U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Pentium N4200 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-5010U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5010U scores 2,157 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0% lead for the Pentium N4200. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+91%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,157	2,158
Geekbench 6 Single	737	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5010U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Pentium N4200
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U) / not specified (Pentium N4200). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Pentium N4200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.