Core i5-4308U vs Core i5-6200U

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 i5-4308U vs Core i5-6200U 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 i5-4308U vs Core i5-6200U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4308U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,978 vs 2,990).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Core i5-6200U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6200U better than Core i5-4308U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4308U is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6200U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6200U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6200U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-6200U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-6200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4308U vs Core i5-6200U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4308U

The Core i5-4308U 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,978 points. Launch price was $315.

Core i5-6200U

The Core i5-6200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,990 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4308U and Core i5-6200U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4308U versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6200U — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4308U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4308U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6200U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4308U scores 2,978 against the Core i5-6200U's 2,990 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-6200U. Both processors carry 3 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4308U	Core i5-6200U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,978	2,990
Geekbench 6 Single	—	946

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4308U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6200U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4308U versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6200U — the Core i5-6200U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6200U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-4308U	Core i5-6200U
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4308U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6200U). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4308U) and HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6200U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4308U targets Mobile, Core i5-6200U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6200U rivals A12-9700P.

Feature	Core i5-4308U	Core i5-6200U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 5100	HD Graphics 520
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Mainstream Laptop