Intel Core i5-4258U vs Intel Core i5-5350U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5350U and Intel Core i5-4258U are two mobile processors that, despite being separated by a full architecture generation, deliver nearly identical average benchmark scores. The data shows the i5-5350U averages 903 points while the i5-4258U averages 902, a difference of just 0.1%. This proximity is remarkable given their underlying differences, and the head-to-head results reveal a split that depends entirely on the benchmark used.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results break down into a clear pattern: the i5-4258U wins the Cinebench suite, while the i5-5350U takes the Geekbench tests. Out of seven head-to-head comparisons, the i5-4258U claims five wins, while the i5-5350U secures two. The Cinebench victories for the i5-4258U are consistent but narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 222 against 221 for the i5-5350U, a 0.5% margin. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore (929 vs 923, a 0.6% difference) and R23 multicore (2213 vs 2198, a 0.7% difference). Single-core Cinebench results follow suit, with the i5-4258U leading by 0.8% in R20 (131 vs 130) and 0.6% in R23 (312 vs 310).

The i5-5350U, however, dominates the Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 1671 against 1664, a 0.4% advantage. The single-core result is more decisive: 868 vs 844, giving the i5-5350U a 2.8% lead. This suggests that the i5-5350U’s architecture handles the Geekbench workload more efficiently, while the i5-4258U’s higher base clock helps in the Cinebench rendering tasks. For users prioritizing single-threaded Geekbench performance, the i5-5350U is the clear choice. For Cinebench rendering, the i5-4258U edges ahead, though the margins are small enough that real-world differences would be imperceptible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel generations and manufacturing processes. The i5-5350U is built on Broadwell-U architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4258U uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink allows the i5-5350U to pack 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die, compared to 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die for the i5-4258U. The newer process also enables a significant TDP reduction: the i5-5350U has a 15 W TDP, while the i5-4258U is rated at 28 W. This makes the i5-5350U substantially more power-efficient on paper, despite delivering nearly identical performance.

Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The base clocks differ notably, with the i5-4258U running at 2.40 GHz versus 1.80 GHz for the i5-5350U. Both boost to 2.90 GHz, which explains why the higher-clocked i5-4258U wins in Cinebench, where sustained multi-core workloads benefit from the higher base frequency. The i5-5350U compensates with its newer architecture and process node, which likely allows better boost behavior and efficiency.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-5350U features Intel HD 6000, while the i5-4258U has Intel HD 5100. Both support DDR3 memory, but only the i5-5350U lists dual-channel support with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth; the i5-4258U’s memory bus specification is absent from the data. The i5-5350U also lists PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4258U has no comparable specification listed. Both share the Intel BGA 1168 socket and are not multiplier-unlocked.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. For Cinebench workloads, the i5-4258U is the winner, albeit by margins under 1%. For Geekbench, the i5-5350U takes a more comfortable lead, especially in single-core performance where it is 2.8% ahead. The i5-5350U’s architectural advantages—14 nm process, lower TDP, and newer integrated graphics—make it the more modern and efficient part. However, the i5-4258U’s higher base clock gives it a slight edge in rendering tasks.

Users who run Cinebench or similar sustained multi-threaded workloads might prefer the i5-4258U for its marginal performance lead. Those who value single-threaded Geekbench performance or power efficiency should lean toward the i5-5350U. The i5-5350U also has the advantage of being the only one with a documented launch MSRP of $315; the i5-4258U’s launch price is not in the data. Both processors sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers by modern standards. The i5-5350U’s end-of-life production status suggests it is the older part in terms of availability, despite being newer in architecture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U averages 903 points, while the Intel Core i5-4258U averages 902 points. The difference is 0.1%, with the i5-5350U leading by a single point.

Q: How does the i5-5350U compare to its nearest rival in single-core Geekbench?

A: The i5-5350U scores 868 in Geekbench single-core, which is 2.8% ahead of the i5-4258U’s 844. This is the largest margin in any head-to-head test between the two.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The i5-4258U wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head comparisons, including all five Cinebench tests. The i5-5350U wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two processors?

A: The i5-5350U has a TDP of 15 W, while the i5-4258U has a TDP of 28 W. The i5-5350U is rated for nearly half the power draw of the i5-4258U.

Q: Are the cache sizes identical between the two?

A: Yes, both processors have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The cache hierarchy is exactly the same.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The i5-5350U uses a 14 nm process node (Broadwell), while the i5-4258U uses a 22 nm node (Haswell). The i5-5350U also has more transistors: 1,900 million versus 1,400 million.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The five Cinebench tests all favor the i5-4258U, but the margins are tight. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-4258U scores 222 against 221 for the i5-5350U, a 0.5% lead. The R20 multicore test shows 929 vs 923, a 0.6% gap. R23 multicore continues the trend with 2213 vs 2198, a 0.7% difference. Single-core results are similarly close: R20 single-core gives 131 vs 130 (0.8% lead), and R23 single-core gives 312 vs 310 (0.6% lead). These results suggest the i5-4258U’s 2.40 GHz base clock provides a sustained advantage in Cinebench’s rendering workloads, which are sensitive to clock speed across multiple cores.

The Geekbench tests flip the script. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-5350U scores 1671 versus 1664 for the i5-4258U, a 0.4% win. The single-core test is more emphatic: 868 vs 844, giving the i5-5350U a 2.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i5-5350U’s Broadwell architecture appears to handle Geekbench’s mixed integer and floating-point workloads more efficiently, despite its lower base clock. The 14 nm process may contribute to better boost behavior, allowing the i5-5350U to reach and sustain its 2.90 GHz boost clock more effectively under single-threaded loads.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores for both processors are nearly identical (903 vs 902), yet the benchmark-level wins are split 5-2. This indicates that the two processors are essentially equal in aggregate performance, but their performance profiles differ by workload type. The i5-4258U’s wins are all by less than 1%, while the i5-5350U’s Geekbench single-core win is nearly three times larger. This suggests that the i5-5350U has a more pronounced advantage in single-threaded efficiency, while the i5-4258U is marginally better in multi-threaded rendering.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights where the two processors diverge in their specifications:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-5350U | Intel Core i5-4258U |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Broadwell | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,900 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 118 mm² |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 6000 | Intel HD 5100 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not specified |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2015-02-28 | 2013-06-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $315 | Not specified |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR268 | SR18A |

Both processors share the same socket (Intel BGA 1168), core count (2), thread count (4), boost clock (2.90 GHz), cache sizes (64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, 3 MB L3), memory support (DDR3), ECC support (false), and unlocked multiplier (false). The i5-5350U is newer, smaller, more power-efficient, and has a higher transistor count, while the i5-4258U compensates with a significantly higher base clock.