Core i5-4210M vs Core i7-3520M

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 i5-4210M vs Core i7-3520M 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 i5-4210M vs Core i7-3520M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4210M

2014

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-3520M

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,842 vs 2,899).
❌Launch MSRP is still $346 MSRP, while Core i5-4210M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4210M better than Core i7-3520M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3520M is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4210M pulls ahead with 2% better PassMark. Core i7-3520M 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 i5-4210M is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4210M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4210M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $346 MSRP, and it still gives you 2% better PassMark. Core i7-3520M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i5-4210M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) 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 i5-4210M vs Core i7-3520M Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-3520M

The Core i7-3520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4210M and Core i7-3520M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4210M versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-4210M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3520M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210M scores 2,899 against the Core i7-3520M's 2,842 — a 2% lead for the Core i5-4210M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4210M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3520M.

Feature	Core i5-4210M	Core i7-3520M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,899+2%	2,842
Geekbench 6 Single	959	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4210M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — 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. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210M) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3520M).

Feature	Core i5-4210M	Core i7-3520M
Socket	PGA946	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210M) vs true (Core i7-3520M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4210M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3520M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210M rivals A10-5750M; Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.