CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-4200Y vs Intel Core i7-4550U

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4200Y is an ultra-low voltage dual-core processor introduced in mid-2013 as part of the 4th generation Core family. Designed specifically for the thinnest and lightest mobile devices, including tablets and 2-in-1 hybrids, it operates within a strict 12-watt thermal envelope. Despite its low power consumption, it features Hyper-Threading, allowing its two physical cores to process four threads simultaneously, which aids in basic multitasking. Running at a base frequency of 1.4 GHz with the ability to boost up to 1.9 GHz, it balances performance with extreme power efficiency. It also integrates Intel HD Graphics 4200, providing adequate visuals for media consumption and casual workloads. The chip was a cornerstone for the Windows tablet era, enabling fanless designs and all-day battery life while delivering sufficient computational power for everyday computing tasks like web browsing and document editing.

Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-4200Y
2C / 4T1.9 GHz12 W
4
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-4550U
2C / 4T3 GHz15 W
4
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
4th Gen
4th Gen Core i7
Launched
2013
2013
Status
Discontinued
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Haswell-ULT
Series
Core i5
Core i7
Family
4th Generation (Haswell)
Haswell
Predecessor
Ivy Bridge Y-Series
Intel Core i7-3667U
Successor
Haswell Refresh Y-Series
Intel Core i7-5600U

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
2
2
Threads
4
4
Base Clock
1.4 GHz
1.5 GHz
Boost Clock
1.9 GHz
3 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
3 MB
4 MB
TDP
12 W
15 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Haswell-ULT
Process Node
22nm
22nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1600
1600 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
16 GB
16 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1168
Intel BGA 1168
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
12
12
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-4200Y20

Struggles with modern multitasking.

Intel Core i7-4550UBest25

Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-4200Y15

Incapable of running modern titles.

Intel Core i7-4550U15

HD 5000 is slightly better than HD 4400 but still too weak for modern games.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-4200Y10

Not recommended for virtual machines.

Intel Core i7-4550U10

Not recommended due to 2 cores.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-4200YBest85

Excellent efficiency for its era.

Intel Core i7-4550U30

15W TDP was efficient in 2013, but outdated now.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-4200YNone
  • No dedicated AI hardware.
Intel Core i7-4550UNone
  • No AI hardware

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-4200YVery Poor
Intel Core i7-4550UNone
Basic Photo Viewing

Gaming

Intel Core i5-4200YVery Poor
  • Only handles old or very light 2D games.
Intel Core i7-4550UNone
  • HD 5000 is too weak for modern gaming
  • Suitable only for older 2D games

Industry Impact

Gaming
Low
Low
Workstations
Low
Low
Content Creation
Low
Low
Virtualization
Low
None

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Acceptable
Fair
Document Editing
Good
1080p Video Playback
Good
Good
Modern Gaming
Poor
Office Productivity
Fair
Light Multitasking
Poor
Programming
Poor

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-4200Y

Pros

  • Extremely low 12W TDP
  • Enabled fanless designs
  • Good battery life
  • Hardware video acceleration

Cons

  • Very low clock speeds
  • BGA soldered, no upgrades
  • Obsolete for modern tasks
  • Limited to 16GB DDR3
Intel Core i7-4550U

Pros

  • Was efficient in 2013
  • Good single-core burst performance
  • 15W TDP
  • Better graphics than 4500U

Cons

  • Only 2 cores
  • Very slow for modern tasks
  • No Windows 11 support
  • 22nm process is outdated

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-4200Y

  • AMD A4-5000

    Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD A6-5200

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i3-4010Y

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Atom Z3770

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-3317U

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-4300Y
    Alt

    Slightly faster Y-series chip.

  • Better performance if you can handle 15W TDP.

    Compare head-to-head
  • Intel Core m3-6Y30
    Alt

    Much newer and more efficient.

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
    Alt

    Vastly superior modern budget alternative.

  • Intel Core i3-8130U
    Alt

    Modern dual-core with much better IPC.

Intel Core i7-4550U

Our Verdict on Each

A pioneering chip for Windows tablets, but severely underpowered for modern workloads.

Best for: Retro computing or free hand-me-down device

Read the full review

A capable 2013 ultrabook chip with better graphics than the 4500U, but too slow for modern tasks.

Best for: If you are considering a laptop with the Intel Core i7-4550U 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 review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i5-4200Y has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4200Y (12 W), Intel Core i7-4550U (15 W).

Do Intel Core i5-4200Y and Intel Core i7-4550U 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 i5-4200Y posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4200Y (2,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.