Core i5-3230M vs Atom x7211E

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Atom x7211E

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.5%

2,553

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 i5-3230M is positioned at rank 30 and the Atom x7211E is on rank 240, so the Core i5-3230M 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 i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x7211E

#64

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

99%

#228

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

402%

#229

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

396%

#230

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

364%

#231

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

362%

#232

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

359%

#234

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

347%

#235

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

332%

#236

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

332%

#237

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

323%

#240

Atom x7211E

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x7211E (2023) utilizes 10 nm technology and **DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Atom x7211E
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Gracemont (2023) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3230M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Atom x7211E
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ 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 i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Atom x7211E Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Atom x7211E

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

Atom x7211E

The Atom x7211E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Gracemont (2023) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,553 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Atom x7211E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3.2 GHz on the Atom x7211E — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Atom x7211E uses Gracemont (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Atom x7211E's 2,553 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3230M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7211E.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Atom x7211E
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+160%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Gracemont (2023)
PassMark	2,565	2,553
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Atom x7211E uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-3230M versus DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7211E — the Atom x7211E supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3230M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-3230M) vs 1 (Atom x7211E). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3230M) vs 9 (Atom x7211E) — the Core i5-3230M offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7211E).

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Atom x7211E
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR5-4800+67%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+78%	9

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) / not specified (Atom x7211E). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3230M) and Intel UHD Graphics (16EU) (Atom x7211E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.