Core i5-7442EQ vs N250

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 i5-7442EQ vs N250 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 i5-7442EQ vs N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while N250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than N250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while N250 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

N250

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,773 vs 4,834).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7442EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7442EQ better than N250?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, N250 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7442EQ pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7442EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7442EQ is the better buy right now. Core i5-7442EQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that N250 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of the older platform. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-7442EQ vs N250 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

N250

The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7442EQ and N250 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — a 57.6% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i5-7442EQ is built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-7442EQ scores 4,834 against the N250's 4,773 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	N250
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+81%
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	—
Process	14 nm	Intel 7 nm-50%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	—
PassMark	4,834+1%	4,773
Geekbench 6 Single	728	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,387	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ) / not specified (N250). The Core i5-7442EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded.