i3-4120U vs i5-4210U

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-4210U
2014
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
1.45
+17.9%
Core i3-4120U
2014
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
1.23

Core i5-4210U outperforms Core i3-4120U by a moderate 18% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21812329
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i3
Power efficiency9.157.76
Architecture codenameHaswell (2013−2015)Haswell (2013−2015)
Release date14 April 2014 (10 years ago)14 April 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$281$281

Detailed specifications

Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed1.7 GHz2 GHz
Boost clock speed2.7 GHz2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)128 KB
L2 cache256K (per core)512 KB
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size118 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCBGA1168FCBGA1168
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
GPIO++
Smart Connect++
FDI--
AMT9.59.5
Matrix Storage--
HD Audio++
RST++

Security technologies

Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB16 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4400Intel HD Graphics 4400
Max video memory2 GB2 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1 GHz1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.43280x2000@60Hz3200x2000@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort3200x2000@60Hz3200x2000@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno dataN/A

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.2/1211.2/12
OpenGL4.34.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes1212
PCI support--
USB revision3.03.0
Total number of SATA ports44
Max number of SATA 6 Gb/s Ports44
Integrated IDE--
Number of USB ports44
Integrated LAN--
UART++

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-4210U 1.45
+17.9%
i3-4120U 1.23

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-4210U 2309
+18.5%
i3-4120U 1948

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.45 1.23

i5-4210U has a 17.9% higher aggregate performance score.

The Core i5-4210U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-4120U in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-4210U and Core i3-4120U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-4210U
Core i5-4210U
Intel Core i3-4120U
Core i3-4120U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.6 691 vote

Rate Core i5-4210U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2 2 votes

Rate Core i3-4120U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-4210U or Core i3-4120U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.