CPU
GPU
Core i5-4250U
Core i3-5010U
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 i5-4250U is positioned at rank 100 and the Core i3-5010U is on rank 521, so the Core i5-4250U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4250U
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4250U | Core i3-5010U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4250U | Core i3-5010U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i5-4250U and Core i3-5010U
Core i5-4250U
The Core i5-4250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 2,144 points. Launch price was $430.
Core i3-5010U
The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-4250U and Core i3-5010U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4250U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-4250U (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-4250U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4250U scores 2,144 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5010U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 770 vs 737, a 4.4% lead for the Core i5-4250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-4250U | Core i3-5010U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+24% | 2.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.3 GHz | 2.1 GHz+62% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Broadwell-U (2015) |
| PassMark | 2,144 | 2,157 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 770+4% | 737 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,450 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-4250U | Core i3-5010U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4250U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 5000 (Core i5-4250U) and HD Graphics 5500 (Core i3-5010U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4250U targets Budget, Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.
| Feature | Core i5-4250U | Core i3-5010U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 5000 | HD Graphics 5500 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget | Mainstream Laptop |
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