Core 2 Duo P9700 vs Core i5-430UM

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo P9700

2 Cores2 Thrd28 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Core i5-430UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.73 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P9700

2 / 2

1,178

0.0%

1,185

+0.6%

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 Core 2 Duo P9700 is positioned at rank 564 and the Core i5-430UM is on rank 934, so the Core 2 Duo P9700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9700

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

99%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

98%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

98%

#552

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

747%

#553

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

736%

#554

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

676%

#555

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

673%

#556

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

667%

#558

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

644%

#559

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

617%

#560

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

616%

#561

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

600%

#564

Core 2 Duo P9700

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#572

A10-9600P

MSRP: $128|Avg: $50

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430UM

#922

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1683%

#923

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1659%

#924

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1523%

#925

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1516%

#926

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1502%

#928

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1450%

#929

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1391%

#930

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1388%

#931

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1351%

#934

Core i5-430UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

98%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

95%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

95%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo P9700 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-430UM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9700	Core i5-430UM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9700	Core i5-430UM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Duo P9700 Benchmark Check

Core i5-430UM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P9700 and Core i5-430UM

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.

⚡

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

🧠

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	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

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.