Core i3-6157U vs Core i5-4200M
Core i3-6157U
Core i5-4200M
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 i3-6157U is positioned at rank 630 and the Core i5-4200M is on rank 1025, so the Core i3-6157U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6157U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4200M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-6157U | Core i5-4200M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-6157U | Core i5-4200M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 i3-6157U and Core i5-4200M
Core i3-6157U
The Core i3-6157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,782 points. Launch price was $304.
Core i5-4200M
The Core i5-4200M 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,809 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-6157U and Core i5-4200M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-6157U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4200M — a 25.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4200M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-6157U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4200M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6157U scores 2,782 against the Core i5-4200M's 2,809 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-4200M. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-6157U | Core i5-4200M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.1 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,782 | 2,809 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-6157U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4200M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6157U versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4200M — the Core i3-6157U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-6157U) vs 16 (Core i5-4200M) — the Core i5-4200M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-6157U | Core i5-4200M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | PGA946 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 16+33% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 550 (Core i3-6157U) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4200M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-6157U targets Mobile, Core i5-4200M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i3-6157U | Core i5-4200M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Graphics 550 | HD Graphics 4600 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | Mobile |
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