Core i5-7260U vs Processor N200

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 i5-7260U vs Processor N200 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 i5-7260U vs Processor N200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 640, while Processor N200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Processor N200 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Older platform position on BGA1356 with DDR4, while Processor N200 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N200

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1356 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,937 vs 3,953).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7260U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7260U better than Processor N200?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Processor N200 is ahead with a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Processor N200 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-7260U 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?

Processor N200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1356, and 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-7260U vs Processor N200 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

Processor N200

The Processor N200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 3,937 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Processor N200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U versus 3.7 GHz on the Processor N200 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Processor N200 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-7260U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor N200 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7260U scores 3,953 against the Processor N200's 3,937 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-7260U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N200.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Processor N200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+2100%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	3,953	3,937
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N200 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7260U	Processor N200
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7260U) / not specified (Processor N200). The Core i5-7260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 640), while the Processor N200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.