Celeron 3855U vs Core i5-430M

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Celeron 3855U vs Core i5-430M FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron 3855U vs Core i5-430M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 3855U

2015

Why buy it

✅+3.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (632 vs 750).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Core i5-430M

2010

Why buy it

✅+18.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (350 vs 361).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3855U better than Core i5-430M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 3855U is ahead with 3.1% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-430M pulls ahead with 18.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-430M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-430M is the stronger fit. You are getting 18.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron 3855U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 3855U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 3.1% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron 3855U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 3855U vs Core i5-430M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron 3855U

The Celeron 3855U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-430M

The Core i5-430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 3855U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 45% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron 3855U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-430M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 3855U scores 1,215 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron 3855U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 361 vs 350, a 3.1% lead for the Celeron 3855U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 632 vs 750 (17.1% advantage for the Core i5-430M). L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i5-430M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.53 GHz+58%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.26 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,215	1,210
Geekbench 6 Single	361+3%	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	632	750+19%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 3855U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2133 MHz on the Celeron 3855U versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M — the Celeron 3855U supports 100.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3855U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Celeron 3855U) vs 16 (Core i5-430M) — the Core i5-430M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1356 (Celeron 3855U) and HM55 (Core i5-430M).

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i5-430M
Socket	BGA1356	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2133 MHz+100%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	10	16+60%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron 3855U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3855U) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i5-430M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3855U targets Budget, Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U; Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Celeron 3855U	Core i5-430M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 510	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Performance Laptop