Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Core i5-430UM

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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Core i5-430UM 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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Core i5-430UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo E6400

2006

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,175 vs 1,185).
❌Launch MSRP is still $183 MSRP, while Core i5-430UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-430UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-430UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core 2 Duo E6400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-430UM better than Core 2 Duo E6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6400 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-430UM pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-430UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-430UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-430UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo E6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-430UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006) 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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Core i5-430UM Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E6400

The Core 2 Duo E6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,175 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i5-430UM

The Core i5-430UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.73 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,185 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E6400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 1.73 GHz on the Core i5-430UM — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6400 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-430UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the Core i5-430UM's 1,185 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-430UM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6400 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-430UM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	Core i5-430UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz+23%	1.73 GHz
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+78%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,175	1,185
Geekbench 6 Single	—	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	500

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-430UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus DDR3-800 on the Core i5-430UM — the Core 2 Duo E6400 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6400 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6400) and HM55 (Core i5-430UM).

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	Core i5-430UM
Socket	LGA775	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066+33%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-430UM). The Core i5-430UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo E6400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430UM targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+; Core i5-430UM rivals Pentium SU7300.