CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4200U vs Intel Core i7-4500U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4200U is a dual-core, ultra-low voltage mobile processor launched in mid-2013 as part of the 4th Generation Core (Haswell) lineup. With a 15-watt TDP, it became the quintessential processor for the era's Ultrabooks, striking a balance between power efficiency and everyday performance. It features two physical cores and four threads thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, allowing it to handle multitasking with relative ease. The base clock speed is set at 1.6 GHz, dynamically boosting up to 2.6 GHz via Intel Turbo Boost technology when demanding workloads require extra performance. The processor is equipped with 3 MB of SmartCache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4400, offering smooth 1080p video playback and the ability to play light casual games. It was a defining chip for mainstream thin-and-light laptops, offering an excellent blend of battery life and productivity performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Noticeable lag with modern multitasking.
Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.
Gaming
Handles only old or 2D indie games.
Cannot run modern games; struggles with basic 3D.
Virtualization
Can run one light VM.
Not recommended due to 2 cores.
Efficiency
Great battery life for its time.
15W TDP was efficient in 2013, but outdated now.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware.
- No AI hardware
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4400 is too weak for modern 3D games.
- HD 4400 is too weak
- Only suitable for 2D games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent efficiency for 2013
- Good turbo boost frequency
- Hardware video encoding
- Wide adoption
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- BGA soldered
- Struggles with modern web
- No Windows 11 support
Pros
- Was efficient in 2013
- Good single-core burst performance
- 15W TDP
- Enabled thin-and-light designs
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Very slow for modern tasks
- No Windows 11 support
- 22nm process is outdated
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4200U
- AMD A10-5745MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5545MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4500URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i3-4010URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile
Slightly faster refresh model.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-4600UAlt
Higher clocks and better graphics.
Broadwell successor with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Much faster modern budget chip.
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200UAlt
Superior modern alternative.
Intel Core i7-4500U
- AMD A4-5000Rival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5200Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3537URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5545MRival
Mobile
Modern budget CPU with vastly superior performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Modern budget alternative with 4 cores.
Excellent modern ultrabook chip.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Unmatched efficiency for basic use.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Great budget performance.
Our Verdict on Each
A legendary battery-life champion in its day, but obsolete for modern multitasking.
Best for: Extremely cheap used laptop for basic text editing
Read the full reviewA highly efficient dual-core CPU for its time, but severely lacking in performance for modern tasks.
Best for: If you are considering a laptop with the Intel Core i7-4500U today, it should only be purchased in the used market at an extremely low price. It remains capable of very basic web browsing and document editing, but its 2-core design is a major bottleneck for modern multitasking. Avoid purchasing a laptop with this CPU if you need to do any modern productivity work, video editing, or gaming. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a cheap, secondary machine for light web browsing. For any primary computing needs, investing in a newer platform is strongly recommended.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4200U or Intel Core i7-4500U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4200U comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4200U or Intel Core i7-4500U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4200U leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-4200U and Intel Core i7-4500U.
Do Intel Core i5-4200U and Intel Core i7-4500U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1168 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4200U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4200U (3,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.