Core i5-5200U vs Core i3-4100M

Core i5-5200U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2015

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-5200U

2 / 4

2,503

0.0%

2,531

+1.1%

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 i5-5200U is positioned at rank 446 and the Core i3-4100M is on rank 114, so the Core i3-4100M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 i5-5200U

#434

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

586%

#435

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

578%

#436

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

530%

#437

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

528%

#438

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

523%

#440

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

505%

#441

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

484%

#442

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

483%

#443

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

470%

#446

Core i5-5200U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100M

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

100%

#102

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

290%

#103

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

286%

#104

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

262%

#105

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

261%

#106

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

259%

#108

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

250%

#109

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

239%

#110

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

239%

#111

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

233%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

100%

#126

Celeron N4000

MSRP: $107|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-5200U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-4100M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-5200U	Core i3-4100M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-5200U	Core i3-4100M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)

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 i5-5200U Benchmark Check

Core i3-4100M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5200U and Core i3-4100M

Core i5-5200U

The Core i5-5200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,503 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-5200U and Core i3-4100M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5200U versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-5200U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-5200U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-4100M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5200U scores 2,503 against the Core i3-4100M's 2,531 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-4100M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5200U vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M.

Feature	Core i5-5200U	Core i3-4100M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,503	2,531+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4100M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5200U	Core i3-4100M
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-5200U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-5200U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.