Intel Core i5-4200Y
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i5-4200Y Specifications
Core i5-4200Y Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i5-4200Y features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i5-4200Y Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i5-4200Y benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i5-4200Y by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i5-4200Y Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i5-4200Y processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i5-4200Y's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Haswell Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i5-4200Y is built on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i5-4200Y incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Haswell Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i5-4200Y by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i5-4200Y Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i5-4200Y has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 12W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1168 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i5-4200Y uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1168 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i5-4200Y define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i5-4200Y determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i5-4200Y Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i5-4200Y includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i5-4200Y provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i5-4200Y Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i5-4200Y is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i5-4200Y by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i5-4200Y Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i5-4200Y performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i5-4200Y. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i5-4200Y. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i5-4200Y after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i5-4200Y maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i5-4200Y
The Intel Core i5-4200Y is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor from the Haswell generation, built on Intel's 22 nm process. With a base clock of 1400 MHz and a boost clock of 1900 MHz, it targets ultra-low-power devices, as reflected by its 12 W TDP. Benchmark data places it in the 7th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that its performance profile is firmly in the entry-level segment, suited for basic productivity rather than demanding workloads.
How It Compares
The i5-4200Y sits in a tightly contested performance cluster, where its average benchmark score of 455 is statistically indistinguishable from its nearest rivals. Against the AMD Athlon II X3 420e, the delta is exactly 0%, meaning the two processors deliver identical average scores in the benchmark database. This is notable because the Athlon II is a desktop triple-core part, while the i5-4200Y is a dual-core mobile chip, yet their aggregate performance lands on the same point.
Comparing to the Intel Celeron G1830, the i5-4200Y trails by 0.2%, a negligible margin that falls within typical run-to-run variance. The G1830 is a desktop dual-core with a higher clock speed, but the data shows the 4200Y's efficiency-oriented design does not translate into a meaningful deficit. The difference is so small that real-world application performance would be effectively identical.
The i5-4200Y actually leads both the Intel Xeon E5335 and the Intel Celeron J4005 by 0.6%. The Xeon E5335 is an older server-grade quad-core, while the Celeron J4005 is a modern dual-core. The data suggests that the 4200Y's combination of two Haswell cores with hyper-threading provides a slight edge over these alternatives in the benchmark suite, despite the Xeon's additional physical cores.
Power and Thermals
The 12 W TDP classifies the i5-4200Y as an ultra-low-power part, designed for fanless or passively cooled systems and compact laptops where thermal headroom is minimal. This TDP figure is a fraction of what typical desktop processors consume, implying that a simple, low-profile cooling solution is sufficient. A basic aluminum heatsink or a small low-speed fan would be more than capable of managing the heat output.
Given this thermal envelope, the processor is suited for thin-and-light notebooks, tablets with keyboard docks, and industrial embedded systems where long battery life and silent operation take priority over raw performance. The 22 nm process node helps achieve this efficiency, and the 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die indicate a dense but power-conscious design. The lack of a launch MSRP in the data further emphasizes that this chip was positioned for OEM integration rather than retail DIY builds.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark results reveal a pronounced imbalance between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 1324, while the single-core score is just 186. This translates to a multi-core score that is approximately 7.1 times higher than the single-core score, which is unusual for a dual-core part. Typically, a 2-core/4-thread processor would show a multi-core advantage of 2 to 3 times over its single-core score.
This anomaly suggests that the single-core test is heavily constrained by the low 1900 MHz boost clock, while the multi-core test benefits from the processor's ability to sustain both cores at their maximum frequency simultaneously. The Cinebench R20 scores reinforce this pattern: multi-core is 556, single-core is 78, yielding a ratio of about 7.1 as well. The implication is that workloads relying on a single thread will feel sluggish, while lightly threaded multi-tasking or parallelizable tasks will see relatively better throughput.
The 133-point Cinebench R15 multi-core score and the 556-point R20 multi-core score both indicate that the processor can scale its modest dual-core design effectively in threaded workloads. However, the extremely low single-core scores (78 in R20, 186 in R23) highlight that this is not a processor for responsive interactive use or applications that depend on high per-core IPC.
FAQ
Q: How does the i5-4200Y compare to the AMD Athlon II X3 420e?
A: The average benchmark scores are identical at 455, resulting in a deltaPct of 0%. They are performance equals in the aggregate, despite the Athlon having three physical cores versus the i5's two cores with hyper-threading.
Q: What is the processor's TDP and what cooling does it need?
A: The TDP is 12 W, which is an ultra-low-power classification. This implies a passive or low-profile active cooler is sufficient, as the chip generates minimal heat.
Q: Is the i5-4200Y good for single-threaded applications?
A: No, the data indicates poor single-thread performance. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 186, and the R20 single-core score is 78, which are very low figures compared to its multi-core results.
Q: What memory does the i5-4200Y support?
A: The processor supports DDR3 memory. It does not support ECC memory, as indicated by the eccMemory field being false.
Q: Does the i5-4200Y have integrated graphics?
A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4200 integrated graphics, which is suitable for basic display output and video playback but not for gaming or graphics-intensive work.
Q: When was the i5-4200Y released?
A: The release date is June 3, 2013, placing it in the early Haswell generation of mobile processors.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data paints a clear picture of a processor that sits at the bottom of the performance spectrum. The average benchmark score of 455 places it in the 7th percentile of all CPUs, meaning 93% of processors in the database outperform it. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1324 and single-core score of 186 are both low absolute numbers, but the multi-core result is relatively stronger.
Against its nearest rivals, the deltas are minimal. The i5-4200Y matches the AMD Athlon II X3 420e exactly (0% delta) at 455 points. It trails the Intel Celeron G1830 by 0.2% (456 vs 455), a difference of a single point. Conversely, it leads the Intel Xeon E5335 and the Intel Celeron J4005 both by 0.6% (455 vs 452). These margins are so small that they are effectively noise, indicating that all four processors offer nearly identical aggregate performance.
The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 133 is consistent with a low-power dual-core. The R20 multi-core score of 556 and R23 multi-core score of 1324 show a linear scaling with the newer test versions, which is expected as the tests are more demanding but the relative performance remains constant. The single-core scores, however, are disproportionately low, suggesting that the processor's boost behavior is the limiting factor. At 1900 MHz, the chip cannot deliver competitive single-thread performance, but its dual-core design allows both cores to run at full boost for multi-threaded tasks.
Who Should Consider It
The i5-4200Y is not a processor for gaming. Its integrated Intel HD 4200 graphics and low single-core scores would struggle with any modern 3D title. For office productivity, the data suggests basic adequacy. Document editing, spreadsheet work, and web browsing would run, but the low single-core score of 186 in Cinebench R23 indicates that responsiveness may suffer when a single application demands sustained CPU attention.
For content creation, the i5-4200Y is severely limited. The multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 1324 is far too low for video encoding or 3D rendering. Even the R15 multi-core score of 133 underscores this limitation. However, for light multi-tasking, such as running a few office applications alongside a web browser with multiple tabs, the 4-thread design provides enough parallelism to avoid complete stagnation.
The processor's 7th percentile ranking means it is suitable only for entry-level tasks. It would be acceptable in a secondary laptop for email, video streaming, and text-based work. Its 12 W TDP makes it an excellent fit for fanless devices or tablets where battery life is paramount. Users who prioritize silent operation and low power draw over performance would find this chip adequate, provided they do not expect snappy single-threaded behavior.
Platform and Compatibility
The i5-4200Y uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform. This means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, ruling out any future CPU upgrades. The architecture is Haswell, from the fourth generation of Core processors, and it was released on June 3, 2013. The part number is SR18T.
Memory support is limited to DDR3, with no ECC capability. The cache hierarchy is modest: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. This is a typical configuration for a low-power dual-core of its era. The PCIe support is not specified in the data, so no conclusions can be drawn about expansion capabilities.
The integrated graphics is Intel HD 4200, which is a basic GPU. The 22 nm process node and 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die are consistent with a low-cost, low-power design. Since the processor is BGA-mounted, the upgrade path is nonexistent; the entire motherboard must be replaced to change processors. This platform is best suited for users who plan to keep their device for its full lifespan without hardware modifications. The lack of a launch MSRP in the data suggests it was a tray/OEM part, not sold at retail.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i5-4200Y
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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