Core i7-3520M vs Core i5-4200M

Core i7-3520M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Core i5-4200M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3520M

2 / 4

2,842

+1.2%

2,809

0.0%

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 i7-3520M is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core i5-4200M is on rank 1025, so the Core i5-4200M 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 i7-3520M

#1113

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3574%

#1114

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3521%

#1115

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3233%

#1116

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3218%

#1117

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3189%

#1119

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3079%

#1120

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2952%

#1121

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2948%

#1122

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2868%

#1125

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

100%

#1126

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#1127

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1128

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

100%

#1129

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

100%

#1130

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1132

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

99%

#1133

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

95%

#1134

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1135

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

94%

#1136

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

94%

#1137

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1139

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

93%

#1140

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4200M

#1013

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2351%

#1014

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2317%

#1015

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2127%

#1016

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2117%

#1017

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2098%

#1019

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2026%

#1020

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1942%

#1021

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1939%

#1022

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1887%

#1025

Core i5-4200M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1026

Celeron 1000M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

100%

#1028

Celeron B840

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#1029

Celeron M 743

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

99%

#1030

Core i7-3612QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#1031

Pentium 967

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1032

Core i5-4400E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $50

98%

#1034

Pentium Dual Core T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

96%

#1037

Core i7-8665UE

MSRP: $409|Avg: $409

95%

#1038

Celeron T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1039

Celeron Dual-Core T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $30

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-3520M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-4200M in both compute-intensive tasks (1.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-3520M	Core i5-4200M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)	✅ More affordable ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core i5-4200M holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $225 (vs $346), it costs 35% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 52% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i7-3520M.

Insight	Core i7-3520M	Core i5-4200M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+52%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)	✅ More affordable ($225)

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 i7-3520M Benchmark Check

Core i5-4200M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3520M and Core i5-4200M

Core i7-3520M

The Core i7-3520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.

Core i5-4200M

The Core i5-4200M 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 3.1 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: 2,809 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3520M and Core i5-4200M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4200M — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3520M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4200M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3520M scores 2,842 against the Core i5-4200M's 2,809 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3520M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3520M vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4200M.

Feature	Core i7-3520M	Core i5-4200M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+16%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,842+1%	2,809

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4200M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-3520M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4200M — the Core i7-3520M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i7-3520M	Core i5-4200M
Socket	PGA988	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+53233%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32	32 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-3520M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4200M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3520M) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4200M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200M targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.