Core i5-4202Y vs Phenom II X4 P960

Core i5-4202Y vs Phenom II X4 P960 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4202Y

2 / 4

1,552

+0.6%

1,542

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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 i5-4202Y vs Phenom II X4 P960 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 i5-4202Y vs Phenom II X4 P960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4202Y

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4200, while Phenom II X4 P960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Phenom II X4 P960

2010

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,542 vs 1,552).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4202Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4202Y better than Phenom II X4 P960?

Yes. Core i5-4202Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.6% better PassMark and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4202Y has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 11.1% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4202Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4202Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4202Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% higher PassMark.

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

Core i5-4202Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) 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 i5-4202Y vs Phenom II X4 P960 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4202Y

The Core i5-4202Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 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 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,552 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X4 P960

The Phenom II X4 P960 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,542 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4202Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 P960 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 P960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i5-4202Y versus 1.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 P960 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4202Y. The Core i5-4202Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 P960 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4202Y scores 1,552 against the Phenom II X4 P960's 1,542 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-4202Y.

Feature	Core i5-4202Y	Phenom II X4 P960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2 GHz+11%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,552	1,542
Geekbench 6 Single	589	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,030	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4202Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 P960 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4202Y	Phenom II X4 P960
Socket	FCBGA1168	S1g4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / EPT (Core i5-4202Y) / not specified (Phenom II X4 P960). The Core i5-4202Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Phenom II X4 P960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4202Y targets Ultra-portable.