Core 2 Duo P9700 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 P9700 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 P9700 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 P9700

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,178 vs 1,185).
❌55.6% higher power demand at 28W 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 18W instead of 28W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core 2 Duo P9700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-430UM better than Core 2 Duo P9700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo P9700 is ahead with a 2.9% 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 0.6% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo P9700 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-430UM still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-430UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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 2009) 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 P9700 vs Core i5-430UM Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo P9700

The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.

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 P9700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9700 versus 1.73 GHz on the Core i5-430UM — a 47.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9700 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P9700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-430UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9700 scores 1,178 against the Core i5-430UM's 1,185 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-430UM. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-430UM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9700	Core i5-430UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+62%	1.73 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+133%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,178	1,185
Geekbench 6 Single	—	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	500

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P9700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-430UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9700	Core i5-430UM
Socket	PGA478	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo P9700) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-430UM). The Core i5-430UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430UM targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-430UM rivals Pentium SU7300.