Core i5-3210M vs Core i7-4500U

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i7-4500U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

0.0%

2,490

+0.9%

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 i5-3210M is positioned at rank 158 and the Core i7-4500U is on rank 1183, so the Core i5-3210M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4500U

#1171

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4687%

#1172

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4618%

#1173

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4240%

#1174

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4220%

#1175

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4182%

#1177

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4038%

#1178

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3872%

#1179

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3866%

#1180

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3762%

#1183

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

100%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

98%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

96%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

96%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

93%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

90%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

90%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

89%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-3210M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-4500U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-4500U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3210M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 92% cheaper ($30 vs $398) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-4500U
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1215%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Core i7-4500U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3210M and Core i7-4500U

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-4500U

The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3210M and Core i7-4500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4500U uses Haswell-ULT (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Core i7-4500U's 2,490 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4500U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-4500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell-ULT (2013)
PassMark	2,469	2,490
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4500U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M versus 1600 on the Core i7-4500U — the Core i7-4500U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3210M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3210M) vs 12 (Core i7-4500U) — the Core i5-3210M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M) and Haswell-U (Core i7-4500U).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-4500U
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+209715100%	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) vs true (Core i7-4500U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) and Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i7-4500U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-4500U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i7-4500U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Intel HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Mobile