Celeron M U3400 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 M U3400 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 M U3400 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 M U3400

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,205 vs 1,210).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core i5-430M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Celeron M U3400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-430M better than Celeron M U3400?

Yes. Core i5-430M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, 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 0.4% more average FPS across 50 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 0.4% better PassMark, 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?

Core i5-430M is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-430M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron M U3400 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.4% in the shared gaming data.

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 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and 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 M U3400 vs Core i5-430M Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M U3400

The Celeron M U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.06 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $69.

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 M U3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.06 GHz on the Celeron M U3400 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 81.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M. Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron M U3400 scores 1,205 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-430M. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron M U3400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core i5-430M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.06 GHz	2.53 GHz+139%
Base Clock	—	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,205	1,210
Geekbench 6 Single	—	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	750

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron M U3400 uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron M U3400	Core i5-430M
Socket	BGA1288	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M U3400) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron M U3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.