Core i5-4330M vs Core i5-6260U

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 i5-4330M vs Core i5-6260U 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 i5-4330M vs Core i5-6260U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4330M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i5-6260U

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4330M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,200 vs 3,202).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4330M better than Core i5-6260U?

Yes. Core i5-4330M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4330M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4330M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4330M still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4330M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-6260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4330M vs Core i5-6260U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4330M

The Core i5-4330M 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,202 points. Launch price was $275.

Core i5-6260U

The Core i5-6260U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4330M and Core i5-6260U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4330M versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4330M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-4330M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6260U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4330M scores 3,202 against the Core i5-6260U's 3,200 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4330M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4330M vs 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U.

Feature	Core i5-4330M	Core i5-6260U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+56%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,202	3,200
Geekbench 6 Single	—	979

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4330M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4330M versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U — the Core i5-6260U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-4330M) vs 12 (Core i5-6260U) — the Core i5-4330M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-4330M	Core i5-6260U
Socket	PGA946	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4330M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4330M) and Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4330M targets Mobile, Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-4330M	Core i5-6260U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	Iris Graphics 540
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Mainstream Laptop