Intel Core i5-4258U

The Intel Core i5-4258U is a 28-watt, dual-core Haswell mobile processor from mid-2013, and its benchmark profile places it at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 906 puts it in a dead heat with a cluster of other entry-level processors, making it a part that is strictly for basic computing tasks. This is not a chip for enthusiasts or heavy multitaskers; it is a processor for lightweight, everyday workloads where power efficiency and adequate single-core performance matter more than raw throughput.

Who Should Consider It

This CPU is best suited for users whose primary workloads are basic office productivity, web browsing, and light media consumption. The Geekbench single-core score of 844 indicates that it can handle everyday applications that rely on a single main thread, such as word processors, spreadsheet software, and standard web browsing with a moderate number of tabs. For these tasks, the i5-4258U will feel responsive enough for a user who is not in a hurry.

Users who engage in light photo editing or work with very small documents may find it acceptable, but anyone doing serious content creation should look elsewhere. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2230 is a clear indicator that the processor will struggle with video rendering, batch image processing, or compiling code. The processor’s 2 cores and 4 threads are simply insufficient for modern multi-threaded creative applications, which typically benefit from at least 6 cores.

For gaming, this processor is not a viable option for modern titles. While its integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics can output a display, the CPU’s low single-thread score of 314 in Cinebench R23 will bottleneck even entry-level discrete graphics cards in many scenarios. The data suggests this is a machine for email, document creation, and streaming video, not for gaming or rendering. In short, consider this chip only if your computing demands are minimal and you prioritize a low-power, cool-running system for basic tasks.

Power and Thermals

The i5-4258U carries a TDP of 28 watts, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor. This is a mainstream ultra-low-voltage part, not an extreme low-power Y-series chip, but it is still designed for thin-and-light laptops. The 28-watt envelope means that a basic cooling solution, such as a small heat pipe and a single fan, is entirely sufficient to keep the processor within its thermal limits under sustained load.

Given its 22 nm process node and modest core count, this processor will not generate significant heat. The architecture, codenamed Haswell, was known for improving idle power consumption compared to its predecessors. In practical terms, a laptop using this chip should run cool to the touch during normal use and only become slightly warm during extended periods of full load. The integrated HD 5100 graphics also share this thermal budget, so a combined stress test on CPU and GPU may push temperatures higher, but the 28-watt class is well within the capabilities of any standard thin laptop cooler.

Users should not need to worry about custom cooling or undervolting. The chip’s power draw is low enough that a stock cooling solution from any OEM laptop will manage it without throttling issues in typical ambient conditions. This is a set-and-forget processor from a thermal perspective; the main concern is not heat but performance, which is limited by the core architecture rather than by thermal headroom.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals to the i5-4258U are a mixed group of older desktop and mobile parts, and the benchmark data shows that this processor is essentially at parity with all of them. The differences in average score are negligible, ranging from -0.4% to +0.2%.

Intel Pentium Gold G6405T: This rival has an average score of 905, which is 0.1% lower than the i5-4258U’s 906. The delta is so small that it is within run-to-run variance. Both processors offer a similar level of overall performance, meaning a user would not notice a difference in everyday tasks between the two. The G6405T is a desktop part, but its low-power design puts it in the same performance class.

Intel Core i5-5350U: With an average score of 904, this part is 0.2% slower than the i5-4258U. This is a newer generation mobile chip, yet the data shows no meaningful performance advantage. This suggests that the i5-4258U’s Haswell architecture, despite being older, holds its own against a direct successor in the same 28-watt class. The 0.2% delta is effectively a tie.

AMD A10-7860K: This AMD APU also scores 904, putting it 0.2% behind the i5-4258U. The A10-7860K is a desktop part with a much higher power envelope, yet it cannot outperform the mobile Intel chip in this benchmark suite. This highlights the efficiency of the Intel architecture for its power class, though the A10 would likely have a stronger integrated GPU for gaming.

Intel Xeon W3540: This is the only rival that beats the i5-4258U, with an average score of 909, a 0.4% lead. The Xeon W3540 is an older, high-power desktop workstation processor with far more cores, but the benchmark data shows that its multi-threaded advantage is largely nullified by the i5-4258U’s newer architecture and higher single-core efficiency. The 0.4% delta is still a statistical tie.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-4258U good for gaming?

A: No. The processor’s low multicore score of 2230 in Cinebench R23 and a single-core score of 314 indicate it will bottleneck most modern games. It is not designed for gaming workloads.

Q: What is the release date of this processor?

A: The release date is 2013-06-03, placing it in the Haswell generation of Intel mobile processors.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which is a standard configuration for a low-power dual-core chip with Hyper-Threading.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The base clock is 2.40 GHz and the maximum boost clock is 2.90 GHz, allowing for a modest single-core speed increase during light workloads.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. It uses standard DDR3 memory.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes the Intel HD 5100 integrated graphics, which is sufficient for basic display output and video playback but not for gaming.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results for the i5-4258U paint a consistent picture of a processor that is uniformly weak by modern standards. Its average benchmark score of 906 places it at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning that over three-quarters of processors perform better. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 224, which is a low result reflecting its dual-core design. The Cinebench R20 multicore score of 936 and the R23 multicore score of 2230 show a linear progression across these increasingly demanding tests, all confirming a lack of multi-threaded headroom.

The Geekbench multicore score of 1664 reinforces this assessment. When compared directly to its nearest rivals, the performance differences are essentially nonexistent. The Pentium Gold G6405T is 0.1% slower, the Core i5-5350U is 0.2% slower, and the AMD A10-7860K is 0.2% slower. Only the Xeon W3540 manages to edge ahead, and only by 0.4%. These deltas are all within the margin of error for benchmark testing, indicating that the i5-4258U is functionally identical in performance to these other low-end parts.

The data shows that this processor is not a bargain or a hidden gem; it is simply a baseline performer. Its 22 nm process node and 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die are relics of its era. There is no scenario where this processor offers a performance advantage over its listed rivals, as all of them fall within a 5-point average score range from 904 to 909. For any workload, the user will experience the same level of performance from any of these chips, which is to say, a level that is barely adequate for basic tasks.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals the i5-4258U’s fundamental limitation. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 314, while its multicore score is 2230, yielding a multi-thread scaling factor of roughly 7.1x across 2 cores and 4 threads. This scaling is efficient for a dual-core part, but the absolute numbers are low. The Geekbench single-core score of 844 versus a multicore score of 1664 shows a similar ratio, indicating that the processor’s Hyper-Threading is working as intended.

For real-world workloads, this means the chip can handle a single demanding task, like a complex spreadsheet calculation or a new web page render, without significant lag. The single-core score of 844 in Geekbench is high enough for responsive system navigation. However, as soon as multiple applications run simultaneously, or a single application uses multiple threads, the performance drops off dramatically. The 4 threads are not enough to handle modern multitasking, where a web browser, music player, and background updater can easily saturate the available resources.

The practical implication is that the i5-4258U is a strictly sequential processor for most users. It will perform adequately for one task at a time, but it will struggle with concurrent workloads. The low multicore scores in Cinebench R20 (936) and R23 (2230) confirm that any heavily threaded application, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, will take a very long time to complete. Users should plan to close all unnecessary applications before starting any CPU-intensive task to avoid noticeable slowdowns. In contrast, a modern processor with 6 or 8 cores would handle the same multitasking scenario with ease, but that is not what this chip offers.