CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4210U vs Intel Core i5-5257U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4210U is a dual-core mobile processor launched in early 2014 as a minor refresh within the 4th Generation Core (Haswell) family. Designed for thin-and-light laptops and Ultrabooks, it operates on a 15-watt thermal envelope, offering a balance of battery life and everyday productivity performance. It features two physical cores and four threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading to improve multitasking efficiency. The processor has a base clock of 1.7 GHz and can dynamically boost up to 2.7 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost technology, providing extra headroom for bursty workloads. It includes 3 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4400, which is capable of handling 1080p media playback and basic graphics tasks. This refresh offered a marginal clock speed bump over the i5-4200U, aiming to keep the Haswell lineup competitive in the mobile market until the arrival of Broadwell.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with heavy multitasking.
Higher base clock and 28W TDP deliver better sustained performance than 15W variants, but dual-core design still limits multi-threaded workloads.
Gaming
Only suitable for 2D or very old games.
Iris 6100 was the best integrated GPU in the Broadwell-U lineup, handling older games at 720p-1080p low settings reasonably well for 2015.
Virtualization
Basic VM support only.
Slightly better than 15W variants but still fundamentally limited by dual-core design.
Efficiency
Excellent battery life.
The 28W TDP reduces efficiency compared to 15W variants, requiring active cooling and reducing battery life in thin laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI capabilities.
- No AI acceleration hardware
- GPU compute insufficient for modern AI workloads
- Not applicable for this processor generation
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not designed for gaming.
- Iris 6100 with 48 EUs was the best Broadwell-U GPU option
- Titles like Dota 2, CS:GO, and League of Legends run at 1080p medium at 30-60 FPS
- eDRAM cache significantly helps GPU performance
- Modern games remain unplayable even at lowest settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good battery life
- Decent turbo boost for 2014
- Hardware video decoding
- Low heat output
Cons
- Obsolete dual-core design
- Soldered BGA
- Slow modern web browsing
- No Windows 11 support
Pros
- Best integrated GPU in Broadwell-U i5 lineup with Iris 6100
- 128MB eDRAM benefits both CPU and GPU workloads
- 2.7 GHz base clock is strong for a 2015 dual-core
- Good for Retina display driving and 4K output
- Configurable TDP for OEM flexibility
Cons
- 28W TDP limits use to larger ultrabook designs
- Only 2 physical cores with dual-core limitation
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
- Active cooling required in all implementations
- End-of-life with no security updates
- Not Windows 11 compatible
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4210U
- AMD A10-5745MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4510URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i3-4030URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-6410Rival
Mobile
Broadwell successor, slightly better.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-4600UAlt
More powerful Haswell chip.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
Massive leap in performance with 4 cores.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Modern budget alternative.
- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Faster modern dual-core.
Intel Core i5-5257U
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-5557URival
Mobile Premium Ultrabook
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5250URival
Mobile Ultrabook
- AMD A12-8700PRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i5-6267UAlt
Skylake successor with Iris 550 and DDR4 support in the same 28W envelope.
- Intel Core i5-8259UAlt
Four cores with Iris Plus 655 for much better multi-threaded and GPU performance.
- Alt
If buying a used MacBook, the M1 MacBook Air offers dramatically better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 4600UAlt
Six cores with Vega graphics in a 15W envelope, far outperforming this chip in every metric.
Iris Xe graphics and four cores on 10nm for a modern thin-and-light experience.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 100MHz bump over the 4200U doesn't change the fact it's obsolete today.
Best for: Free or extremely cheap used laptop
Read the full reviewThe Iris 6100 graphics made this the most capable dual-core Broadwell-U for GPU workloads, but the 28W TDP limited it to larger ultrabook designs and it remains outdated by modern standards.
Best for: Buying a used MacBook Pro 13-inch 2015 for under $150 for basic use with a Retina display
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4210U or Intel Core i5-5257U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-5257U comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i5-4210U or Intel Core i5-5257U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-5257U leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Intel Core i5-4210U and Intel Core i5-5257U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4210U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4210U (15 W), Intel Core i5-5257U (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4210U and Intel Core i5-5257U 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 i5-4210U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4210U (3,100), Intel Core i5-5257U (2,950). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.