Core i5-4300Y vs Pentium 987

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 i5-4300Y vs Pentium 987 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 i5-4300Y vs Pentium 987: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4300Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,485 vs 1,487).
❌2911.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 17W.

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 512W, a 495W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i5-4300Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 987 better than Core i5-4300Y?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4300Y is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-4300Y also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 987 is the better buy right now. Pentium 987 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4300Y is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 987 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-4300Y vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4300Y

The Core i5-4300Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $281.

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4300Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 987's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300Y versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 42.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-4300Y (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-4300Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4300Y scores 1,485 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium 987. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4300Y vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

Feature	Core i5-4300Y	Pentium 987
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+53%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+7%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,485	1,487

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4300Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.