CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4288U vs Intel Core i5-5257U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4288U is a 4th generation Haswell dual-core mobile processor introduced in 2013, featuring a 28W TDP and Intel HD Graphics 5100 for premium thin-and-light laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Dual-core performance is sufficient for basic document editing and web browsing, but shows its age under heavy load.
Higher base clock and 28W TDP deliver better sustained performance than 15W variants, but dual-core design still limits multi-threaded workloads.
Gaming
Can handle older or lightweight games like Minecraft or CS:GO at 720p/1080p, but struggles with modern titles.
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
Limited to very light virtual machine workloads due to the dual-core design.
Slightly better than 15W variants but still fundamentally limited by dual-core design.
Efficiency
The 22nm process and 28W TDP provide reasonable battery life for older laptops.
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 acceleration hardware
- Dual-core CPU limits any modern inference tasks
- No AI acceleration hardware
- GPU compute insufficient for modern AI workloads
- Not applicable for this processor generation
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 5100 was good for 2013 but is obsolete today
- Lacks modern API support like DirectX 12_1
- Suitable only for retro or extremely light 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 integrated graphics for its era
- 28W TDP offers better sustained performance than 15W chips
- Supports Hyper-Threading
- Solid single-thread performance for basic tasks
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- End-of-life and unsupported by modern OS standards
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Weak by modern mobile standards
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 i5-4288U
- AMD A10-5757MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-4650URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5557MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5357MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
A much faster 8th gen mobile chip with 4 cores that can be found in cheap used laptops.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
A budget modern mobile alternative with better Vega graphics.
A modern dual-core that massively outperforms this chip in single and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
If looking at older MacBooks, the M1 offers a revolutionary leap in performance and battery.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
A modern hexa-core mobile chip offering immense value in the used market.
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 capable processor for its time that brought console-class integrated graphics to thin laptops, though it is heavily outdated by modern standards.
Best for: Purchasing a very cheap, used laptop strictly for basic web browsing or as a typewriter.
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 faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4288U or Intel Core i5-5257U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4288U leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i5-4288U and Intel Core i5-5257U.
Do Intel Core i5-4288U 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 i5-5257U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-5257U (2,950). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.