Core i5-4210U vs Core i5-4260U

Core i5-4210U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014

Core i5-4260U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-4210U

2 / 4

2,316

+0.2%

2,311

0.0%

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 i5-4210U is positioned at rank 214 and the Core i5-4260U is on rank 296, so the Core i5-4210U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210U

#57

Ryzen AI 9 365

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

98%

#202

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

380%

#203

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

374%

#204

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

344%

#205

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

342%

#206

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

339%

#208

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

327%

#209

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

314%

#210

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

313%

#211

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

305%

#214

Core i5-4210U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4260U

#86

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

99%

#284

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

444%

#285

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

438%

#286

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

402%

#287

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

400%

#288

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

396%

#290

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

383%

#291

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

367%

#292

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

367%

#293

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

357%

#296

Core i5-4260U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core i5-4210U shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Core i5-4210U	Core i5-4260U
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-4210U	Core i5-4260U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-4210U Benchmark Check

Core i5-4260U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4210U and Core i5-4260U

Core i5-4210U

The Core i5-4210U 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,316 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-4260U

The Core i5-4260U 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,311 points. Launch price was $325.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4210U and Core i5-4260U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4210U versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4260U — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-4210U scores 2,316 against the Core i5-4260U's 2,311 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-4210U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4260U.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core i5-4260U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+21%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,316	2,311
Geekbench 6 Single	763	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core i5-4260U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U) / not specified (Core i5-4260U). The Core i5-4210U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i5-4260U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410.