Core i5-4250U vs Pentium N4200

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 N4200 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 N4200: 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

✅+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 N4200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,158).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 MSRP, while Core i5-4250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N4200 better than Core i5-4250U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4250U is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N4200 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i5-4250U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N4200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N4200 is the better buy right now. Pentium N4200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $161 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4250U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium N4200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-4250U vs Pentium N4200 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 N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4250U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4250U versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4250U (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-4250U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4250U scores 2,144 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium N4200. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4250U vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz+18%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,144	2,158
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 N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Pentium N4200
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1296
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 N4200). The Core i5-4250U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5000), while the Pentium N4200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4250U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.