Core i5-4200M vs Processor N250

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 i5-4200M vs Processor N250 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 i5-4200M vs Processor N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4200M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Processor N250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Processor N250 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on PGA946, while Processor N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N250

2025

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of PGA946 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,786 vs 2,809).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N250 better than Core i5-4200M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Processor N250 is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4200M pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Processor N250 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4200M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor N250 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Processor N250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4200M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Processor N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of PGA946, and 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-4200M vs Processor N250 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Processor N250

The Processor N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,786 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4200M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor N250 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4200M versus 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-4200M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Processor N250 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4200M scores 2,809 against the Processor N250's 2,786 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-4200M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4200M vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Processor N250
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+2400%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	2,809	2,786

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Processor N250
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-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 i5-4200M) / not specified (Processor N250). The Core i5-4200M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Processor N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200M targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Processor N250
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4200M was priced at $225, while the Processor N250 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($225 vs $0), Processor N250 was $225 cheaper.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Processor N250
MSRP	$225	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	12.5	—
Release Date	2013	2025

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