Core i5-4300U vs Core i5-2390T
Core i5-4300U
Core i5-2390T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-4300U is positioned at rank 542 and the Core i5-2390T is on rank 926, so the Core i5-4300U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4300U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2390T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4300U | Core i5-2390T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($182) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4300U | Core i5-2390T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($182) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4300U and Core i5-2390T
Core i5-4300U
The Core i5-4300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 2,482 points. Launch price was $281.
Core i5-2390T
The Core i5-2390T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,491 points. Launch price was $100.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-4300U and Core i5-2390T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4300U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-2390T — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2390T (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-4300U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2390T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4300U scores 2,482 against the Core i5-2390T's 2,491 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-2390T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 607 vs 614, a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-2390T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4300U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2390T.
| Feature | Core i5-4300U | Core i5-2390T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.5 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2.7 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,482 | 2,491 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 607 | 614+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,722 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4300U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2390T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-2390T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4300U) vs 16 (Core i5-2390T) — the Core i5-2390T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87 (Core i5-4300U) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2390T).
| Feature | Core i5-4300U | Core i5-2390T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 16+33% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-4300U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2390T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i5-4300U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2390T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2390T targets Legacy Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2390T rivals A8-3800.
| Feature | Core i5-4300U | Core i5-2390T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Low Power Desktop |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-4300U and Core i5-2390T
