Core i3-390M vs Pentium Dual Core T4400

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 i3-390M vs Pentium Dual Core T4400 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 i3-390M vs Pentium Dual Core T4400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-390M

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Pentium Dual Core T4400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Pentium Dual Core T4400

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,284 vs 1,292).
❌Launch MSRP is still $107 MSRP, while Core i3-390M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-390M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core T4400 better than Core i3-390M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Dual Core T4400 is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-390M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-390M 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?

Pentium Dual Core T4400 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core T4400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $107 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-390M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-390M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 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 i3-390M vs Pentium Dual Core T4400 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-390M

The Core i3-390M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 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: 1,292 points. Launch price was $39.

Pentium Dual Core T4400

The Pentium Dual Core T4400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,284 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-390M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual Core T4400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T4400 — a 106.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual Core T4400 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-390M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T4400 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-390M scores 1,292 against the Pentium Dual Core T4400's 1,284 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-390M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-390M vs 0 kB on the Pentium Dual Core T4400.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Pentium Dual Core T4400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.67 GHz	2.2 GHz+228%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+21%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,292	1,284

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-390M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T4400 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Pentium Dual Core T4400
Socket	PGA988	P
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
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: VT-x (Core i3-390M) / not specified (Pentium Dual Core T4400). The Core i3-390M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Pentium Dual Core T4400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile.