Core i5-2430M vs Pentium Dual Core T3400

Core i5-2430M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

Pentium Dual Core T3400

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.16 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2430M

2 / 4

2,015

0.0%

Pentium Dual Core T3400

2 / 2

2,026

+0.5%

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. The Core i5-2430M is positioned at rank #1106 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-2430M leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-2430M	Pentium Dual Core T3400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($89)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Pentium Dual Core T3400 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 60% cheaper ($89 vs $225) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-2430M	Pentium Dual Core T3400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+154%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($89)

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

Pentium Dual Core T3400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2430M and Pentium Dual Core T3400

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.

Pentium Dual Core T3400

The Pentium Dual Core T3400 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. Max frequency: 2.16 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,026 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual Core T3400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-2430M versus 2.16 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T3400 — a 32.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2430M. The Core i5-2430M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2430M scores 2,015 against the Pentium Dual Core T3400's 2,026 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T3400.

Feature	Core i5-2430M	Pentium Dual Core T3400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+39%	2.16 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	2,015	2,026

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T3400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2430M	Pentium Dual Core T3400
Socket	PGA988	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-2430M) / not specified (Pentium Dual Core T3400). The Core i5-2430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Dual Core T3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2430M rivals AMD A8-3500M.