Celeron E3400 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 E3400 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 E3400 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 E3400

2010

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i5-430M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (347 vs 350).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (624 vs 750).
❌Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Core i5-430M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-430M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-430M

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Celeron E3400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron E3400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-430M better than Celeron E3400?

Yes. Core i5-430M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 20.2% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-430M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.

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 20.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-430M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-430M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $53 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron E3400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core i5-430M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron E3400 vs Core i5-430M Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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)	256K (per core)+25500%
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%

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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. Both support up to 1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB 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	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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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.