CPU
GPU
Core i7-860S
Core i5-4210U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-860S is positioned at rank 1033 and the Core i5-4210U is on rank 214, so the Core i5-4210U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860S
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core i5-4210U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860S | Core i5-4210U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($96) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-860S and Core i5-4210U
Core i7-860S
The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.
Core i5-4210U
The Core i5-4210U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 2,316 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
The Core i7-860S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-4210U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-860S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4210U — a 24.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-860S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4210U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Core i5-4210U's 2,316 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-860S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 451 vs 763, a 51.4% lead for the Core i5-4210U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860S vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i5-4210U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+28% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz+49% | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,324 | 2,316 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 451 | 763+69% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,332 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4210U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-860S) vs 12 (Core i5-4210U) — the Core i7-860S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-860S) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210U).
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i5-4210U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-860S) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U). The Core i5-4210U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-860S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410.
| Feature | Core i7-860S | Core i5-4210U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4400 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Thin & Light Laptop |
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