Core i5-4210U vs Core i7-4550U

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 i5-4210U vs Core i7-4550U 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 i5-4210U vs Core i7-4550U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4210U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Core i7-4550U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-4550U

2013

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,307 vs 2,316).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4210U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4210U better than Core i7-4550U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4550U is ahead with 11.1% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4210U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-4550U 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 i5-4210U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4210U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4210U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-4210U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) 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 i5-4210U vs Core i7-4550U Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-4550U

The Core i7-4550U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,307 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4210U and Core i7-4550U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4210U versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-4550U — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4550U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-4210U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4550U uses Haswell-ULT (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210U scores 2,316 against the Core i7-4550U's 2,307 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-4210U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4550U.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core i7-4550U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+13%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-ULT (2013)
PassMark	2,316	2,307
Geekbench 6 Single	763	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core i7-4550U
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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U) / not specified (Core i7-4550U). The Core i5-4210U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-4550U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410.