CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4200Y vs Intel Core i5-3230M
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 basic office work but modern web apps and multitasking will feel slow.
Gaming
Incapable of running modern titles.
Intel HD 4000 at 1100 MHz turbo can handle very old games but is completely unsuitable for anything modern.
Virtualization
Not recommended for virtual machines.
VT-x and VT-d support is present, but only two cores severely limit practical VM usage.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for its era.
Standard 35 W power draw for a 2013 laptop chip; modern processors achieve far more at lower power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- No AI hardware acceleration
- No AVX2 support
- Insufficient compute for any AI task
Content Creation
Gaming
- Only handles old or very light 2D games.
- HD 4000 graphics with 1100 MHz turbo is the bottleneck
- Older games like League of Legends at low settings were playable in 2013
- No possibility of meaningful modern gaming even 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
- Widely adopted in 2013 laptops, meaning plentiful spare parts and community knowledge
- Intel HD 4000 was a capable integrated graphics solution for its time
- VT-d support for advanced virtualization pass-through
- AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption
- Reliable 22nm process with mature power management
Cons
- Only two cores, insufficient for modern workloads
- Soldered BGA package prevents any upgrade path
- No AVX2 or later instruction set support
- 35 W TDP is high by modern thin-and-light standards
- Completely obsolete for any meaningful 2026 use
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 i5-3230M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Value
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i3-3110MRival
Mobile Entry
- AMD A6-4400MRival
Mobile Budget
Slightly higher clocks (2.7/3.4 GHz) for marginal performance improvement at similar cost.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-4200MAlt
Haswell successor with better efficiency and improved integrated graphics.
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 reviewThe i5-3230M was a very popular mid-range mobile processor in 2013, offering solid dual-core performance with Hyper-Threading for everyday laptop use. Its 35 W TDP and BGA packaging meant it was destined for specific laptop designs, and it has since been thoroughly surpassed by modern processors.
Best for: Continuing to use an existing laptop with this processor for basic tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4200Y or Intel Core i5-3230M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3230M 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 i5-4200Y or Intel Core i5-3230M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3230M leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-4200Y and Intel Core i5-3230M.
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 i5-3230M (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4200Y and Intel Core i5-3230M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4200Y: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i5-3230M: Intel BGA 1023), 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), Intel Core i5-3230M (1,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.