Intel Core i5-4200U vs Intel Core i7-3537U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors along clear lines. The Intel Core i7-3537U wins five of the seven head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-4200U wins two. The i7-3537U is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads, as it leads in every Cinebench test, with margins between 7.9% and 8.3%. The i5-4200U, however, holds a decisive advantage in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance, where it leads by 9.6%.

For users prioritizing sustained rendering or CPU-heavy productivity, the Core i7-3537U is the pick. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1998 versus 1852 for the i5-4200U, a 7.9% gap, demonstrates a consistent edge in threaded tasks. The i5-4200U, conversely, is better suited for workloads that favor the newer Haswell architecture's efficiency, as reflected in its Geekbench single-core score of 728 versus 658 for the i7-3537U. The overall average benchmark score is close, 766 for the i7-3537U compared to 746 for the i5-4200U, but the distribution of wins tells the real story.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Core i7-3537U is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process, while the Core i5-4200U uses Haswell, also on a 22 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, and both have the same die size of 118 mm². The transistor count differs, however, with the i5-4200U featuring 1,400 million transistors, while the i7-3537U has no recorded count in the database.

Both chips are dual-core with four threads, but the cache configurations differ. The i7-3537U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4200U has 3 MB. The L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The i7-3537U has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the i5-4200U runs at 1600 MHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. The thermal design power is close, 17 W for the i7-3537U and 15 W for the i5-4200U.

The sockets are different: the i7-3537U uses Intel BGA 1023, while the i5-4200U uses Intel BGA 1168. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i7-3537U carrying Intel HD 4000 and the i5-4200U carrying Intel HD 4400. Both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration on the i7-3537U; the memory bus for the i5-4200U is not recorded. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-3537U dominates in Cinebench workloads across every version recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 201 versus 186, an 8.1% lead. In R20 multi-core, it scores 839 versus 777, an 8% lead. The single-core tests follow the same pattern: R20 single-core shows 118 versus 109, an 8.3% lead, and R23 single-core shows 282 versus 261, an 8% lead. This consistency suggests the i7-3537U's higher clock speeds, particularly its 3.20 GHz boost versus 2.60 GHz, translate directly into Cinebench performance.

The Core i5-4200U wins in Geekbench, which measures a different blend of integer and floating-point operations. Its multi-core score of 1308 beats the i7-3537U's 1269, a 3% advantage. The single-core gap is larger: 728 versus 658, a 9.6% lead. This indicates the Haswell architecture, despite lower clock speeds, delivers better per-clock efficiency in Geekbench's test suite.

The wins break down as 5 for the i7-3537U and 2 for the i5-4200U. The i7-3537U's average benchmark score of 766 places it in the 21st percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-4200U's 746 places it in the 20th percentile. The nearest rival data for each confirms their similar overall standing: the i7-3537U sits within 0.9% of the Intel Core i7-3687U, while the i5-4200U is within 0.6% of the Intel Xeon E5520.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-3537U has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4200U has a boost clock of 2.60 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i7-3537U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-4200U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-3537U wins with a score of 1998, compared to the i5-4200U's 1852, a 7.9% difference.

Q: Which chip wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-4200U wins with a score of 728, compared to the i7-3537U's 658, a 9.6% difference.

Q: Are both processors dual-core with four threads?

A: Yes, both the i7-3537U and the i5-4200U have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the thermal design power for each?

A: The i7-3537U has a TDP of 17 W, while the i5-4200U has a TDP of 15 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the i7-3537U comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it leads by 8.3% with a score of 118 versus 109. The multi-core results are nearly as strong: R15 shows an 8.1% lead (201 versus 186), R20 shows an 8% lead (839 versus 777), and R23 shows a 7.9% lead (1998 versus 1852). The R23 single-core test shows an 8% lead (282 versus 261). These five wins are all within a narrow band of 7.9% to 8.3%, suggesting the performance difference is consistent across Cinebench's various versions and workloads.

The i5-4200U's wins are concentrated in Geekbench. Its multi-core advantage is 3%, with a score of 1308 versus 1269. The single-core advantage is much larger at 9.6%, with a score of 728 versus 658. This is the single biggest margin in any test, and it flips the overall performance picture. The i7-3537U's higher clock speeds do not translate to Geekbench, where the i5-4200U's architecture appears to extract more work per cycle.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the i7-3537U's 766 is 20 points higher than the i5-4200U's 746, a relative difference of roughly 2.7%. However, the percentile rankings are nearly identical: 21st for the i7-3537U and 20th for the i5-4200U. The nearest rivals confirm the narrow gap. The i7-3537U is 0.3% above the AMD A8-6600K and 0.9% below the Intel Core i7-3687U. The i5-4200U is 0.1% above the AMD A10 PRO-7800B and 0.2% below the Intel Core i5-750.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The base clock is 2000 MHz for the i7-3537U and 1600 MHz for the i5-4200U. The boost clock is 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz. The TDP is 17 W versus 15 W. The socket is Intel BGA 1023 for the i7-3537U and Intel BGA 1168 for the i5-4200U.

The architecture differs: Ivy Bridge versus Haswell. The codename follows the same pattern. The generation differs, with the i7-3537U listed as Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) and the i5-4200U as Core i5 (Haswell). The transistor count is recorded only for the i5-4200U at 1,400 million; the i7-3537U has no recorded count. The die size is identical at 118 mm².

The L3 cache is 4 MB for the i7-3537U and 3 MB for the i5-4200U. The memory bus is recorded as dual-channel for the i7-3537U, while no memory bus data is recorded for the i5-4200U. The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 for the i7-3537U and Intel HD 4400 for the i5-4200U. The part numbers are SR0XG for the i7-3537U and SR170 for the i5-4200U. The release dates differ by nearly five months, with the i7-3537U released in January 2013 and the i5-4200U in June 2013. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP, a multiplier unlock, or ECC support.