
N250

Core i5-7442EQ
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 N250 is positioned at rank 133 and the Core i5-7442EQ is on rank 807, so the N250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar N250
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7442EQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | N250 | Core i5-7442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | N250 | Core i5-7442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 N250 and Core i5-7442EQ

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.

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.
Processing Power
Both the N250 and Core i5-7442EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the N250 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ — a 57.6% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i5-7442EQ is built on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the N250 scores 4,773 against the Core i5-7442EQ's 4,834 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ.
| Feature | N250 | Core i5-7442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+81% | 2.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 6 MB |
| L2 Cache | — | 1 MB |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | — | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 4,773 | 4,834+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 728 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,387 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (N250) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ). 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.
| Feature | N250 | Core i5-7442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Embedded |
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