Core i5-4278U vs Processor N250

CPU

GPU

Core i5-4278U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014

Processor N250

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-4278U

2 / 4

2,826

+1.4%

2,786

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core i5-4278U is positioned at rank #726 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4278U

#714

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1038%

#715

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1023%

#716

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

939%

#717

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

935%

#718

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

926%

#720

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

895%

#721

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

858%

#722

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

856%

#723

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

833%

#726

Core i5-4278U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Processor N250 (2025) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-4278U	Processor N250
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-4278U (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-4278U	Processor N250
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-4278U Benchmark Check

Processor N250 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4278U and Processor N250

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.

⚡

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	—

🧠

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	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

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.