Core i5-4200U vs Phenom II X4 B93

Core i5-4200U vs Phenom II X4 B93 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4200U

2 / 4

2,176

+0.8%

2,159

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i5-4200U vs Phenom II X4 B93 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 Phenom II X4 B93: 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

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Phenom II X4 B93 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom II X4 B93

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,159 vs 2,176).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4200U better than Phenom II X4 B93?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 B93 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4200U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 B93 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 i5-4200U 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?

Core i5-4200U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-4200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4200U vs Phenom II X4 B93 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.

Phenom II X4 B93

The Phenom II X4 B93 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,159 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 B93 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 B93 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4200U versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B93 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 B93 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-4200U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 B93 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4200U scores 2,176 against the Phenom II X4 B93's 2,159 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-4200U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4200U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B93.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Phenom II X4 B93
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+8%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+75%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,176	2,159
Geekbench 6 Single	733	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 B93 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200U	Phenom II X4 B93
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
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 (Phenom II X4 B93). The Core i5-4200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Phenom II X4 B93 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4200U rivals A6-5350M.