Core i5-2430M vs Core i7-920XM

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2430M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

Core i7-920XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2430M

2 / 4

2,015

0.0%

2,014

0.0%

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 i5-2430M is positioned at rank 1106 and the Core i7-920XM is on rank 876, so the Core i7-920XM 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 i5-2430M

#1094

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3275%

#1095

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3227%

#1096

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2962%

#1097

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2949%

#1098

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2922%

#1100

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2821%

#1101

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2705%

#1102

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2701%

#1103

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2628%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

98%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

98%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

96%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

96%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

95%

#1120

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-920XM

#864

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1457%

#865

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1435%

#866

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1318%

#867

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1312%

#868

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1300%

#870

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1255%

#871

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1204%

#872

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1202%

#873

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1169%

#876

Core i7-920XM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

100%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#882

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-920XM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-2430M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-2430M	Core i7-920XM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-2430M	Core i7-920XM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i5-2430M Benchmark Check

Core i7-920XM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2430M and Core i7-920XM

Core i5-2430M

The Core i5-2430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,015 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-920XM

The Core i7-920XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $1,054.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-920XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-920XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-2430M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-920XM — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-920XM (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-2430M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-920XM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2430M scores 2,015 against the Core i7-920XM's 2,014 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-2430M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2430M vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-920XM.

Feature	Core i5-2430M	Core i7-920XM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,015	2,014

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2430M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2430M) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-920XM).

Feature	Core i5-2430M	Core i7-920XM
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	1333
Max RAM Capacity	16+100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-920XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support true virtualization. The Core i5-2430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-920XM requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2430M rivals AMD A8-3500M; Core i7-920XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.