Core i7-4500U vs Core i5-3210M

Core i7-4500U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-4500U

2 / 4

2,490

+0.9%

2,469

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 i7-4500U is positioned at rank 1183 and the Core i5-3210M is on rank 158, so the Core i5-3210M 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 i7-4500U

#1171

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4687%

#1172

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4618%

#1173

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4240%

#1174

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4220%

#1175

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4182%

#1177

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4038%

#1178

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3872%

#1179

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3866%

#1180

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3762%

#1183

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

100%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

98%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

96%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

96%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

93%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

90%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

90%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

89%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-3210M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-4500U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-4500U	Core i5-3210M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)	✅ More affordable ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3210M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 92% cheaper ($30 vs $398) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-4500U	Core i5-3210M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1215%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)	✅ More affordable ($30)

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 i7-4500U Benchmark Check

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4500U and Core i5-3210M

Core i7-4500U

The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4500U and Core i5-3210M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-4500U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-3210M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4500U scores 2,490 against the Core i5-3210M's 2,469 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4500U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M.

Feature	Core i7-4500U	Core i5-3210M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.5 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-ULT (2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,490	2,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,400

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3210M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-4500U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M — the Core i7-4500U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3210M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i7-4500U) vs 16 (Core i5-3210M) — the Core i5-3210M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-U (Core i7-4500U) and HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M).

Feature	Core i7-4500U	Core i5-3210M
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+53233%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16	32 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i7-4500U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i7-4500U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile, Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i7-4500U	Core i5-3210M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4400	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mobile	Mainstream Laptop