CPU
GPU
Celeron E3400
Core i5-430M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Celeron E3400 is positioned at rank 727 and the Core i5-430M is on rank 12, so the Core i5-430M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron E3400
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+122%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Celeron E3400 and Core i5-430M
Celeron E3400
The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.
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.
Processing Power
The Celeron E3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Celeron E3400 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron E3400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-430M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3400 scores 1,220 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron E3400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 350, a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-430M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 624 vs 750 (18.3% advantage for the Core i5-430M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.
| Feature | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+3% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+15% | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (total)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,220 | 1,210 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 347 | 350 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 624 | 750+20% |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron E3400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Celeron E3400 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M — the Celeron E3400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron E3400) vs 16 (Core i5-430M) — the Core i5-430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P35,P45 (Celeron E3400) and HM55 (Core i5-430M).
| Feature | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+35433% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 8 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Celeron E3400) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron E3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron E3400 targets Budget, Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200; Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget | Performance Laptop |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($15 vs $33), the Celeron E3400 is $18 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron E3400 delivers 81.3 pts/$ vs 36.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-430M — making the Celeron E3400 the 75.7% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron E3400 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $53 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-55% | $33 |
| Performance per Dollar | 81.3+122% | 36.7 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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