CPU
GPU
Core i5-2410M
Core i3-4120U
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 i5-2410M is positioned at rank 1113 and the Core i3-4120U is on rank 129, so the Core i3-4120U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2410M
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4120U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2410M | Core i3-4120U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2410M | Core i3-4120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i5-2410M and Core i3-4120U
Core i5-2410M
The Core i5-2410M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,954 points. Launch price was $225.
Core i3-4120U
The Core i3-4120U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 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. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-2410M and Core i3-4120U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-2410M versus 2 GHz on the Core i3-4120U — a 36.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2410M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-2410M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4120U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2410M scores 1,954 against the Core i3-4120U's 1,948 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-2410M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 444 vs 462, a 4% lead for the Core i3-4120U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 913 vs 1,071 (15.9% advantage for the Core i3-4120U). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2410M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4120U.
| Feature | Core i5-2410M | Core i3-4120U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz+45% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz+15% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,954 | 1,948 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 444 | 462+4% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 913 | 1,071+17% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2410M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4120U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2410M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4120U — the Core i5-2410M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2410M) vs 12 (Core i3-4120U) — the Core i5-2410M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2410M) and HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4120U).
| Feature | Core i5-2410M | Core i3-4120U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2410M) vs Yes (Core i3-4120U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2410M) and Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4120U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2410M rivals AMD A8-3500M.
| Feature | Core i5-2410M | Core i3-4120U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | Intel HD Graphics 4400 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | Yes |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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