Core i5-4260U vs Pentium 1403 v2

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 i5-4260U vs Pentium 1403 v2 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 i5-4260U vs Pentium 1403 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4260U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌540% higher power demand at 512W vs 80W.

Pentium 1403 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 512W, a 432W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,284 vs 2,311).
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i5-4260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4260U better than Pentium 1403 v2?

Yes. Core i5-4260U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4260U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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 i5-4260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4260U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 1403 v2 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1356.

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

Core i5-4260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4260U vs Pentium 1403 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4260U

The Core i5-4260U 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,311 points. Launch price was $325.

Pentium 1403 v2

The Pentium 1403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,284 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 1403 v2's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4260U versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 1403 v2 — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4260U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-4260U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4260U scores 2,311 against the Pentium 1403 v2's 2,284 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-4260U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4260U vs 6 MB (total) on the Pentium 1403 v2.

Feature	Core i5-4260U	Pentium 1403 v2
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.6 GHz+86%
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	2,311+1%	2,284

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4260U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.