Core i5-4200U vs Core m3-6Y30

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 i5-4200U vs Core m3-6Y30 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 i5-4200U vs Core m3-6Y30: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4200U

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Core m3-6Y30 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,176 vs 2,180).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core m3-6Y30

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-4200U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-6Y30 better than Core i5-4200U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4200U is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-6Y30 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core m3-6Y30 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-6Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core m3-6Y30 is the better buy right now. Core m3-6Y30 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4200U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m3-6Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4200U vs Core m3-6Y30 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4200U

The Core i5-4200U 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 2,176 points. Launch price was $69.

Core m3-6Y30

The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4200U and Core m3-6Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4200U versus 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4200U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 0.9 GHz). The Core i5-4200U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4200U scores 2,176 against the Core m3-6Y30's 2,180 — a 0.2% lead for the Core m3-6Y30. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4200U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m3-6Y30.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Core m3-6Y30
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+78%	0.9 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,176	2,180
Geekbench 6 Single	733	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Core m3-6Y30
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4200U) / not specified (Core m3-6Y30). The Core i5-4200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core m3-6Y30 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4200U rivals A6-5350M.