Core i5-4210U vs Core m5-6Y54

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 m5-6Y54 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 m5-6Y54: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.

Core m5-6Y54

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4210U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,294 vs 2,316).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-4210U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4210U better than Core m5-6Y54?

Yes. Core i5-4210U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4210U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4210U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4210U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m5-6Y54 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m5-6Y54 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4210U vs Core m5-6Y54 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 m5-6Y54

The Core m5-6Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,294 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4210U and Core m5-6Y54 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 m5-6Y54 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-4210U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m5-6Y54 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210U scores 2,316 against the Core m5-6Y54's 2,294 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-4210U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 763 vs 875, a 13.7% lead for the Core m5-6Y54 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m5-6Y54.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core m5-6Y54
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz+55%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,316	2,294
Geekbench 6 Single	763	875+15%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,648

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4210U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m5-6Y54 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210U versus LPDDR3-1866 on the Core m5-6Y54 — the Core m5-6Y54 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4210U) vs 10 (Core m5-6Y54) — the Core i5-4210U offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210U) and Skylake-Y (Core m5-6Y54).

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core m5-6Y54
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	LPDDR3-1866+17%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12+20%	10

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core m5-6Y54). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i5-4210U) and HD Graphics 515 (Core m5-6Y54) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop, Core m5-6Y54 targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410; Core m5-6Y54 rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y.

Feature	Core i5-4210U	Core m5-6Y54
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	HD Graphics 515
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Thin & Light Laptop	Enthusiast