CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4200U vs Intel Core i5-3210M
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.
Struggles with modern JavaScript-heavy web pages.
Gaming
Handles only old or 2D indie games.
Only capable of running old or very light 2D games.
Virtualization
Can run one light VM.
Limited to very basic VMs with 4 threads.
Efficiency
Great battery life for its time.
Good for 2012, but poor standby and idle efficiency by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware.
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Extremely slow for inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4400 is too weak for modern 3D games.
- HD 4000 is vastly outdated
- Cannot run modern 3D titles
- Suitable only for legacy games like Half-Life 2
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
- Good performance for its era (2012)
- 22nm process improved battery life over Sandy Bridge
- Includes AES-NI for fast encryption
- Supports VT-x and VT-d
- HD 4000 was a solid iGPU upgrade
Cons
- Severely outdated for modern workloads
- No official Windows 11 support
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Integrated graphics cannot handle modern games
- Lacks modern I/O like USB 3.1 Gen 2 or NVMe natively
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 i5-3210M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile APU
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i5-2450MRival
Mobile CPU
- Intel Core i3-3110MRival
Mobile CPU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Low Voltage Mobile
Slightly faster Ivy Bridge alternative.
Compare head-to-headHaswell successor with much better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Celeron N4500Alt
Modern low-end alternative with better single-thread speed.
- Intel Pentium Silver N6000Alt
Modern efficient alternative for basic tasks.
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 capable processor for 2012, but severely outdated for modern workloads. Only viable for basic legacy laptop repairs.
Best for: If you are considering purchasing a laptop or system with the Intel Core i5-3210M today, it should only be for extremely specific, budget-constrained scenarios. This processor is over a decade old and lacks support for modern instruction sets required by current software. It does not officially support Windows 11, meaning you will be restricted to older operating systems or Linux distributions. For basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, or watching 1080p video, it can still function adequately if paired with a solid-state drive (SSD) and sufficient RAM. However, it will struggle with modern multitasking, video conferencing, and any form of content creation. Do not purchase this for gaming, as the integrated HD 4000 is vastly outdated. The best use case is repairing an existing legacy laptop or building a retro computing rig. Otherwise, investing in a newer, even low-end modern processor will provide a vastly superior experience.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4200U or Intel Core i5-3210M?
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 i5-3210M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4200U leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-4200U and Intel Core i5-3210M.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4200U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4200U (15 W), Intel Core i5-3210M (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4200U and Intel Core i5-3210M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4200U: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i5-3210M: Socket G2 (988B) / BGA 1023), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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), Intel Core i5-3210M (2,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.