Core i5-4200M
CPU·Budget

Core i5-4200M

Intel

PassMark

2,809

MSRP

$225

4 June 2013 (12 years ago)
37 Watt
Haswell (2013−2015)

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.

Overview

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.

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 Core i5-4200M

#297
Core i7-4800MQ
MSRP: $380|Avg: $378
122%
#298
Celeron T3100
MSRP: $62|Avg: $62
122%
#299
Core 2 Duo E8435
MSRP: $150|Avg: $74
120%
#300
Athlon II Neo K125
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
119%
#301
Celeron 4305U
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
117%
#302
Pentium 8500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
116%
#303
Atom D2500
MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A
115%
#304
Core i3-330E
MSRP: $177|Avg: $89
113%
#305
Core i7-3630QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
109%
#306
Core i7-3610QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
109%
#307
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
109%
#308
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
107%
#309
Core i5-4300M
MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A
104%
#310
Celeron 1005M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
104%
#311
Celeron J1850
MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A
101%
#312
Core i5-4200M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#313
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
100%
#314
Celeron 1000M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
100%
#315
Core i7-3612QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
99%
#316
Core i7-8665UE
MSRP: $409|Avg: $409
95%
#317
Celeron N3060
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
95%
#318
Core i5-3320M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
95%
#319
Processor N50
MSRP: $128|Avg: $120
89%
#320
Core i7-4910MQ
MSRP: $570|Avg: $570
89%
#321
Pentium J2850
MSRP: $94|Avg: $94
87%
#322
Celeron P4505
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
85%
#323
Core i7-2720QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
85%
#324
Pentium 2020M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
84%
#325
Athlon II N350
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
84%
#326
Pentium 2030M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
83%
#327
Celeron N3350
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
83%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core i5-4200M across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Among Us

Among Us

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra56 FPS
1440p
low57 FPS
medium57 FPS
high57 FPS
ultra50 FPS
4k
low51 FPS
medium50 FPS
high48 FPS
ultra42 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra66 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra56 FPS
4k
low66 FPS
medium59 FPS
high41 FPS
ultra28 FPS
Destiny 2

Destiny 2

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high47 FPS
ultra30 FPS
1440p
low53 FPS
medium43 FPS
high32 FPS
ultra17 FPS
4k
low30 FPS
medium23 FPS
high15 FPS
ultra10 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
4k
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
4k
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
4k
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra65 FPS
4k
low67 FPS
medium57 FPS
high43 FPS
ultra34 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra63 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high52 FPS
ultra42 FPS
4k
low51 FPS
medium46 FPS
high31 FPS
ultra24 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra58 FPS
Starfield

Starfield

1080p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra70 FPS
1440p
low70 FPS
medium70 FPS
high70 FPS
ultra69 FPS
4k
low69 FPS
medium64 FPS
high52 FPS
ultra40 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core i5-4200M specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core i5-4200M is a 2-core / 4-thread processor based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.1 GHz from a base frequency of 2.5 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 3 MB of L3 cache, plus 512 kB of L2 cache and 128 kB of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 2,809, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationCore i5-4200M
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units2C / 4T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost3.1 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.5 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designHaswell (2013−2015)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient22 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores3 MB
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data512 kB
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache128 kB
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor130 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities960 Million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency5 GT/s
Max TemperatureMaximum safe operating temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score2,809
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200M fits into the PGA946 socket and supports PCIe 3.0 with 16 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR3 memory at speeds up to DDR3L-1600 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 32 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). Integrated graphics: HD Graphics 4600 — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

SpecificationCore i5-4200M
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorLaptop
SeriesProduct familyIntel Core i5
SocketMotherboard socket requiredPGA946
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion16
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR3
Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequencyDDR3L-1600
Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory32 GB
RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel2
ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruptionNo
Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processorHD Graphics 4600
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🔧

Advanced Features

The Core i5-4200M is primarily designed for Mobile. Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads).

SpecificationCore i5-4200M
Primary Use CaseIntended workload categoryMobile
OverclockingWhether CPU clock can be manually increased🔒 Locked
AVX-512Advanced vector instructions for AI/ML workloads❌ Not Supported
VirtualizationHardware-assisted virtualization technologyVT-x, VT-d
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core i5-4200M has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 37 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationCore i5-4200M
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload37 Watt
Max TemperatureMaximum safe junction temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $225, the Core i5-4200M delivers 12 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #2294 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore i5-4200M
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$225
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$225
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#2294
Release DateLaunch date4 June 2013 (12 years ago)
Release Year2013
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

TypeLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$225
Release Date4 June 2013 (12 years ago)
Architecture CodenameHaswell (2013−2015)
Performance Ranking Position2294

Technical Specifications

14 specs

Cores2
Threads4
Die Size130 mm2
L1 Cache128 kB
L2 Cache512 kB
L3 Cache3 MB
Bus Speed5 GT/s
Max Frequency3.1 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.5 GHz
Transistor Count960 Million
Process Technology22 nm
Max Core Temperature100 °C
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketPGA946
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)37 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

4 specs

RAM TypesDDR3
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
Max Memory Capacity32 GB

Our Recommendation for Core i5-4200M

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

Compare Core i5-4200M

See how this CPU stacks up against similar alternatives

Compare with other CPUs