Core i5-7Y54 vs Core i5-4258U

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 i5-7Y54 vs Core i5-4258U 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 i5-7Y54 vs Core i5-4258U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7Y54

2016

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Core i5-4258U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4258U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,586 vs 2,610).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-4258U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4258U

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7Y54 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4258U better than Core i5-7Y54?

Yes. Core i5-4258U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4258U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 i5-4258U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4258U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4258U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7Y54 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.5% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-7Y54 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7Y54 vs Core i5-4258U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7Y54

The Core i5-7Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,586 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-4258U

The Core i5-4258U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7Y54 and Core i5-4258U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-7Y54 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4258U — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-7Y54 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-7Y54 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4258U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7Y54 scores 2,586 against the Core i5-4258U's 2,610 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4258U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-7Y54 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4258U.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Core i5-4258U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+10%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,586	2,610
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,700	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7Y54 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4258U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7Y54	Core i5-4258U
Socket	FCBGA1515	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7Y54) / not specified (Core i5-4258U). The Core i5-7Y54 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core i5-4258U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7Y54 targets Tablet/2-in-1.