Core i3-390M vs Pentium U5400

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 U5400 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 U5400: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌2744.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 18W.

Pentium U5400

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 512W, a 494W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,286 vs 1,292).
❌Launch MSRP is still $289 MSRP, while Core i3-390M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium U5400 better than Core i3-390M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium U5400 is ahead with a 0.3% 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 0.5% 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 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium U5400 is the better buy right now. Pentium U5400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $289 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-390M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010) 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 U5400 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 U5400

The Pentium U5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,286 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-390M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium U5400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core i3-390M versus 1.2 GHz on the Pentium U5400 — a 56.7% clock advantage for the Pentium U5400 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-390M scores 1,292 against the Pentium U5400's 1,286 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-390M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Pentium U5400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.67 GHz	1.2 GHz+79%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+122%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,292	1,286
Geekbench 6 Single	—	170
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	300

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-390M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium U5400 uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-390M versus DDR3-800 on the Pentium U5400 — the Core i3-390M supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Pentium U5400
Socket	PGA988	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066+33%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i3-390M) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Pentium U5400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-390M targets Mobile, Pentium U5400 targets Legacy Budget Laptop.

Feature	Core i3-390M	Pentium U5400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Mobile	Legacy Budget Laptop