Core i5-4250U vs Pentium 4405U

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 i5-4250U vs Pentium 4405U 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 i5-4250U vs Pentium 4405U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4250U

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5000, while Pentium 4405U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 4405U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,122 vs 2,144).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4250U better than Pentium 4405U?

Yes. Core i5-4250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% 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 i5-4250U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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 i5-4250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-4250U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium 4405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4250U vs Pentium 4405U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium 4405U

The Pentium 4405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,122 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4250U and Pentium 4405U 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 Pentium 4405U — 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 Pentium 4405U uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4250U scores 2,144 against the Pentium 4405U's 2,122 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-4250U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4250U vs 2 MB on the Pentium 4405U.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Pentium 4405U
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)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	2,144+1%	2,122
Geekbench 6 Single	770	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,450	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4250U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 4405U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Pentium 4405U
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1356
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, VT-d (Core i5-4250U) / not specified (Pentium 4405U). The Core i5-4250U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5000), while the Pentium 4405U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4250U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.