Core i5-4278U vs Processor N250

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 i5-4278U vs Processor N250 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 i5-4278U vs Processor N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, while Processor N250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1168, while Processor N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N250

2025

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1168 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,786 vs 2,826).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4278U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N250 better than Core i5-4278U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Processor N250 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4278U pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Processor N250 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4278U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor N250 still makes the most sense overall. Processor N250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Processor N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2014), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1168, and 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-4278U vs Processor N250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

Processor N250

The Processor N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,786 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4278U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor N250 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U versus 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-4278U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Processor N250 uses Twin Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4278U scores 2,826 against the Processor N250's 2,786 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-4278U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Processor N250
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+2500%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Twin Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	2,826+1%	2,786
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,688	—
Geekbench 6 Single	889	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,860	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4278U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Processor N250
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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: true (Core i5-4278U) / not specified (Processor N250). The Core i5-4278U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Processor N250 requires a dedicated GPU.