Core i5-3210M vs Core i5-2390T

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i5-2390T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

0.0%

2,491

+0.9%

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 i5-3210M is positioned at rank 158 and the Core i5-2390T is on rank 926, so the Core i5-3210M 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 i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2390T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

22770%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

21515%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

15622%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4706%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3728%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3261%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1868%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1843%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1678%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1678%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1660%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1615%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1592%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1586%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1571%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

98%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

98%

#926

Core i5-2390T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $182

100%

#927

Phenom II X4 910e

MSRP: $157|Avg: $69

100%

#928

FX-8100

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

100%

#930

Celeron E1400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $63

99%

#932

Pentium E6800

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

98%

#933

Core i3-530

MSRP: $113|Avg: $15

98%

#935

Core i3-2105

MSRP: $138|Avg: $30

97%

#936

Athlon II X3 405e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

97%

#937

Core i3-3225

MSRP: $172|Avg: $167

97%

#938

Athlon II X3 400e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#939

Athlon II X2 245e

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

96%

#940

Core i3-3220T

MSRP: $149|Avg: $146

96%

#941

Athlon II X2 240e

MSRP: $77|Avg: $77

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2390T delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-3210M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.9% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-2390T
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($182)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core i5-3210M holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $30 (vs $182), it costs 84% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 501% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2390T.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-2390T
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+501%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($182)

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 i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Core i5-2390T Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3210M and Core i5-2390T

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i5-2390T

The Core i5-2390T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,491 points. Launch price was $100.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3210M and Core i5-2390T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-2390T — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2390T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2390T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Core i5-2390T's 2,491 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-2390T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 614, a 2.3% lead for the Core i5-2390T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-2390T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,469	2,491
Geekbench 6 Single	600	614+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2390T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2390T).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-2390T
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2390T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2390T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-2390T targets Legacy Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M; Core i5-2390T rivals A8-3800.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core i5-2390T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Legacy Low Power Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3210M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-2390T debuted at $182. At current prices ($30 vs $182), the Core i5-3210M is $152 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3210M delivers 82.3 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-2390T — making the Core i5-3210M the 143% better value option.