Core i5-3230M vs Core i3-7020U

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Core i3-7020U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

0.0%

2,567

+0.1%

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 Core i3-7020U is on rank 70, 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 Core i3-7020U

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

94%

#58

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

229%

#59

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

225%

#60

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

207%

#61

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

206%

#62

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

204%

#64

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

197%

#65

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

189%

#66

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

189%

#67

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

183%

#70

Core i3-7020U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

97%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

94%

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 Core i3-7020U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core i3-7020U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 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	Core i3-7020U
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

Core i3-7020U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Core i3-7020U

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.

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3230M and Core i3-7020U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-7020U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Core i3-7020U's 2,567 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7020U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i3-7020U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+13%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,565	2,567
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7020U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i3-7020U
Socket	BGA1023	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) / not specified (Core i3-7020U). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.