Processor N250 vs Core i5-4278U

CPU

GPU

Processor N250

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2025

Core i5-4278U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Processor N250

4 / 4

2,786

0.0%

2,826

+1.4%

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4278U

#714

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1038%

#715

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1023%

#716

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

939%

#717

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

935%

#718

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

926%

#720

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

895%

#721

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

858%

#722

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

856%

#723

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

833%

#726

Core i5-4278U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Processor N250 (2025) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Processor N250	Core i5-4278U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-4278U (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Processor N250	Core i5-4278U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Processor N250 Benchmark Check

Core i5-4278U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Processor N250 and Core i5-4278U

Processor N250

The Processor N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,786 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

⚡

Processing Power

The Processor N250 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4278U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Processor N250 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Processor N250 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Processor N250 (base: 0.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Processor N250 uses the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-4278U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Processor N250 scores 2,786 against the Core i5-4278U's 2,826 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-4278U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Processor N250 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U.

Feature	Processor N250	Core i5-4278U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+23%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+2500%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Twin Lake (2024−2025)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,786	2,826+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,688
Geekbench 6 Single	—	889
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,860

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Processor N250 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-4278U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Processor N250	Core i5-4278U
Socket	FCBGA1264	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Processor N250) / true (Core i5-4278U). The Core i5-4278U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Processor N250 requires a dedicated GPU.