Core i3-2312M vs Pentium 3805U

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 i3-2312M vs Pentium 3805U 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 i3-2312M vs Pentium 3805U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2312M

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,189 vs 1,196).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Pentium 3805U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 3805U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 3805U better than Core i3-2312M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2312M is ahead with 10.5% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3805U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i3-2312M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3805U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 3805U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 3805U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i3-2312M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (5.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Pentium 3805U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-2312M vs Pentium 3805U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2312M

The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium 3805U

The Pentium 3805U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-2312M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 3805U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M versus 1.9 GHz on the Pentium 3805U — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i3-2312M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i3-2312M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 3805U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2312M scores 1,189 against the Pentium 3805U's 1,196 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium 3805U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2312M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3805U.

Feature	Core i3-2312M	Pentium 3805U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz+11%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+11%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	1,189	1,196
Geekbench 6 Multi	731	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2312M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 3805U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i3-2312M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Pentium 3805U — the Pentium 3805U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2312M) vs 12 (Pentium 3805U) — the Core i3-2312M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-2312M	Pentium 3805U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	DDR3L-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-2312M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Pentium 3805U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2312M) and HD Graphics (Broadwell) (Pentium 3805U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 3805U targets Mobile.