Core i5-3437U 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 i5-3437U 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 i5-3437U 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 i5-3437U

2013

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Pentium N4200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,158 vs 2,166).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 MSRP, while Core i5-3437U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3437U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3437U better than Pentium N4200?

Yes. Core i5-3437U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3437U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, Core i5-3437U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-3437U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-3437U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium N4200 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.3% in the shared gaming data.

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 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3437U vs Pentium N4200 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-3437U

The Core i5-3437U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,166 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i5-3437U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-3437U versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 14.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3437U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-3437U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3437U scores 2,166 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3437U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3437U vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core i5-3437U	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz+73%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,166	2,158
Geekbench 6 Single	440	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,080	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3437U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3437U	Pentium N4200
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3437U) / not specified (Pentium N4200). The Core i5-3437U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium N4200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3437U targets Business Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-3437U rivals AMD A8-4555M.