CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4200Y vs Intel Core i3-8145U
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.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with modern multitasking.
Adequate for a single Word or Excel window, but modern heavy web applications will saturate the 4 threads quickly.
Gaming
Incapable of running modern titles.
Not capable of modern gaming. UHD 620 can only handle very old or lightweight 2D games.
Virtualization
Not recommended for virtual machines.
4 threads and 4MB cache make virtualization practically impossible for anything beyond a tiny Linux container.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for its era.
The 10nm process provided good idle battery life for 2018-era laptops, though sustained loads drain the battery quickly due to the low core count.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- No AI hardware.
- 2 cores are insufficient for any modern AI workload.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Only handles old or very light 2D games.
- UHD 620 is not a gaming GPU.
- 2 cores cannot feed modern game engines.
- Playable only in legacy eSports titles at lowest settings.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Hardware security fixes out of the box
- 10nm power efficiency for its era
- High 3.9 GHz single-core boost
- Configurable TDP for different chassis sizes
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Very high $281 launch price for a dual-core
- Lacks LPDDR4 support
- UHD 620 graphics are obsolete
- Completely outclassed by modern ARM chips
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4200Y
- AMD A4-5000Rival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5200Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i3-4010YRival
Mobile
- Intel Atom Z3770Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4300YAlt
Slightly faster Y-series chip.
Better performance if you can handle 15W TDP.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core m3-6Y30Alt
Much newer and more efficient.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Vastly superior modern budget alternative.
- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Modern dual-core with much better IPC.
Intel Core i3-8145U
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Core i3-8130URival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Intel Pentium Gold 5405URival
Entry Mobile
- Apple A12X BionicRival
Premium Tablet
A 4-core Whiskey Lake chip that provides drastically better multitasking.
Compare head-to-headThe Ice Lake successor offers better graphics and LPDDR4X support.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
For modern lightweight laptops, ARM architecture provides exponentially better performance and battery life.
Compare head-to-head - Intel N100Alt
For embedded or ultra-budget replacements, the N100 offers 4 modern cores.
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 reviewHistorically significant for being Intel's first 10nm mobile i3 with hardware security fixes, but its 2-core layout and high $281 launch price make it entirely obsolete for modern computing.
Best for: Only if repairing an existing laptop that uses this specific chip and the board is not compatible with newer generations.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4200Y or Intel Core i3-8145U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4200Y comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. 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 i5-4200Y or Intel Core i3-8145U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4200Y leads with a gaming performance score of 15/100 among Intel Core i5-4200Y and Intel Core i3-8145U.
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 i3-8145U (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4200Y and Intel Core i3-8145U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4200Y: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i3-8145U: BGA 1528), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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.