CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4258U vs Intel Core i3-1110G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4258U is a high-performance dual-core mobile processor launched in mid-2013 as part of the 4th Generation Core (Haswell) family. Unlike standard U-series chips that operate at 15 watts, this model features a 28-watt TDP, allowing for significantly higher clock speeds and a more powerful integrated graphics solution. It runs at a base clock of 2.4 GHz and can boost up to 2.9 GHz, providing robust single-threaded performance for a mobile chip of its era. The processor supports Hyper-Threading, offering four threads across its two cores. Crucially, it integrates Intel HD Graphics 5100 (Iris Graphics), which features 40 execution units and a higher max dynamic frequency compared to lower-tier models. This made it an ideal choice for premium thin-and-light laptops that required extra graphical horsepower without the need for a discrete GPU, bridging the gap between basic ultrabooks and professional workstations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
High clocks helped single-threaded apps.
Basic office tasks run fine, but having only two cores means heavy multitasking or complex spreadsheets will slow down.
Gaming
Iris 5100 allowed for decent 720p gaming.
The Iris Xe GPU can handle very light older games at low resolutions, but it is not a gaming processor.
Virtualization
Adequate for light VMs.
Two cores and four threads are insufficient for any serious virtual machine hosting.
Efficiency
Higher power draw than 15W chips.
Excellent power efficiency characteristic of the 10nm Tiger Lake mobile design.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware.
- No dedicated AI hardware
- AVX-512 provides some vector compute capability but is impractical for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris 5100 was good for integrated graphics in 2013.
- Iris Xe graphics are a big improvement over UHD but still inadequate for modern AAA gaming
- Can manage simple 2D indie games or very old titles
- CPU will bottleneck even light games that rely on more than two threads
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Iris 5100 graphics
- 28W TDP for sustained performance
- 2.4 GHz base clock
- Great for 2013 MacBook Pro
Cons
- Obsolete dual-core
- Soldered BGA
- Runs warmer than 15W chips
- No Windows 11 support
Pros
- Modern 10nm manufacturing process
- Iris Xe graphics offer capable media acceleration
- Low 15 W power draw enables thin chassis designs
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage
- AVX-512 instruction support
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores severely limit multitasking
- Hyper-Threading cannot compensate for missing physical cores
- L3 cache is limited to 6 MB
- Only supports DDR4, missing out on LPDDR4X power benefits
- End of useful life for modern computing workloads
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4258U
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4558URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4288URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3210MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5557MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4278UAlt
Faster refresh model.
- Alt
Modern replacement for the MacBook Pro line.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Core i5-8259UAlt
Modern 28W quad-core alternative.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern budget alternative with Vega graphics.
Intel Core i3-1110G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Pentium Gold 7505Rival
Entry Mobile
- MediaTek Kompanio 500Rival
ARM Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1125G4Rival
Upper Entry Mobile
A significant step up in both CPU cores and iGPU power for more demanding users.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Six cores and eight threads for a much more future-proof laptop experience.
- Alt
If available in the budget range, it vastly outperforms this Intel chip in both efficiency and multi-core speed.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
Excellent performance and graphics for 2013, but outclassed by modern integrated solutions.
Best for: Used MacBook Pro for cheap typing
Read the full reviewThe i3-1110G4 brings modern Iris Xe graphics and a 10nm process to budget laptops, but its 2-core configuration severely limits multitasking and longevity compared to 4-core alternatives.
Best for: The i3-1110G4 should only be purchased if you are buying a highly discounted, entry-level laptop strictly for basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. Its Iris Xe graphics make it marginally better than older 2-core chips for media tasks. However, modern operating systems and web browsers are increasingly demanding, and a 2-core processor will struggle to maintain smooth performance over the laptop's lifespan. You should avoid it if you plan to keep the laptop for more than a couple of years or need to run multiple applications simultaneously.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4258U or Intel Core i3-1110G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4258U comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. 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 i5-4258U or Intel Core i3-1110G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4258U leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Intel Core i5-4258U and Intel Core i3-1110G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1110G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4258U (28 W), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4258U and Intel Core i3-1110G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4258U: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i3-1110G4: BGA 1598), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1110G4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4258U (3,400), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.