Core i5-4258U vs Core i5-5350U

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 i5-4258U vs Core i5-5350U 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 i5-4258U vs Core i5-5350U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4258U

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5350U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 6000, while Core i5-4258U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,589 vs 2,610).
❌Launch MSRP is still $315 MSRP, while Core i5-4258U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4258U better than Core i5-5350U?

Yes. Core i5-4258U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4258U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4258U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4258U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $315 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-5350U 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 0.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-5350U 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 i5-4258U vs Core i5-5350U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4258U

The Core i5-4258U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $342.

Core i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 2,589 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4258U and Core i5-5350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4258U versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-4258U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-5350U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4258U scores 2,610 against the Core i5-5350U's 2,589 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-4258U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4258U	Core i5-5350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+33%	1.8 GHz
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	2,610	2,589

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-4258U	Core i5-5350U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4258U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-5350U). The Core i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 6000), while the Core i5-4258U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.