Core i5-6402P vs Core i7-4712MQ

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 i5-6402P vs Core i7-4712MQ 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 i5-6402P vs Core i7-4712MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $196 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 108.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.4 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4712MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌75.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 37W.

Core i7-4712MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 37W instead of 65W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,315 vs 5,343).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 29.4 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6402P better than Core i7-4712MQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4712MQ is ahead with a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6402P pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-4712MQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6402P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6402P is the better buy right now. Core i5-6402P comes in $196 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4712MQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 108.8% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6402P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6402P vs Core i7-4712MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6402P

The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.

Core i7-4712MQ

The Core i7-4712MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 5,315 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6402P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4712MQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4712MQ — a 3% clock advantage for the Core i5-6402P (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-6402P uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4712MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6402P scores 5,343 against the Core i7-4712MQ's 5,315 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-6402P. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6402P vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4712MQ.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Core i7-4712MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+3%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,343	5,315

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6402P uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4712MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Core i7-4712MQ
Socket	LGA1151	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6402P was priced at $182, while the Core i7-4712MQ came in at $378. On launch pricing ($182 vs $378), Core i5-6402P was $196 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6402P delivers 29.4 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-4712MQ — making the Core i5-6402P the 70.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP	$182-52%	$378
Performance per Dollar	29.4+109%	14.1
Release Date	2015	2013

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