Core i5-4210M vs Core i5-2500T
Core i5-4210M
Core i5-2500T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-4210M is positioned at rank 715 and the Core i5-2500T is on rank 882, so the Core i5-4210M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210M
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4210M | Core i5-2500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4210M | Core i5-2500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4210M and Core i5-2500T
Core i5-4210M
The Core i5-4210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,899 points. Launch price was $225.
Core i5-2500T
The Core i5-2500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,929 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-4210M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4210M versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2500T — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500T (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4210M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2500T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210M scores 2,899 against the Core i5-2500T's 2,929 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-2500T. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4210M vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500T.
| Feature | Core i5-4210M | Core i5-2500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.3 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+13% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 6144 kB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,899 | 2,929+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 959 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4210M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-4210M | Core i5-2500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA946 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2500T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4210M) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210M targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-2500T targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210M rivals A10-5750M.
| Feature | Core i5-4210M | Core i5-2500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4600 | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Desktop |
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