Core i5-2500T vs Core i5-4300M
Core i5-2500T
Core i5-4300M
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 i5-2500T is positioned at rank 882 and the Core i5-4300M is on rank 1017, so the Core i5-2500T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500T
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4300M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($227) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+649%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($227) |
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 i5-2500T and Core i5-4300M
Core i5-2500T
The Core i5-2500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,929 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i5-4300M
The Core i5-4300M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,960 points. Launch price was $227.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4300M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2500T versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300M — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-2500T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4300M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500T scores 2,929 against the Core i5-4300M's 2,960 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4300M. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500T vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4300M.
| Feature | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 2.6 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total)+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,929 | 2,960+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4300M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | PGA946 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2500T) / not specified (Core i5-4300M). The Core i5-2500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i5-4300M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500T targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500T launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i5-4300M debuted at $227.
| Feature | Core i5-2500T | Core i5-4300M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182-20% | $227 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | — |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2013 |
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