Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-5350U

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.

Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-5350U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-5350U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-3230M

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $315 MSRP).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,565 vs 2,589).

Core i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.2 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($315 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5350U better than Core i5-3230M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3230M is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5350U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5350U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-5350U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-5350U comes in 40.0% more expensive on MSRP at $315 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-3230M only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 1.3% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-5350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-5350U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,589 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3230M and Core i5-5350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-5350U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Core i5-5350U's 2,589 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-5350U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-5350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+10%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,565	2,589
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-5350U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-3230M versus LPDDR3-1866 on the Core i5-5350U — the Core i5-5350U supports 16.6% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3230M) vs 12 (Core i5-5350U) — the Core i5-3230M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-5350U
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	LPDDR3-1866+17%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3230M) and HD Graphics 6000 (Core i5-5350U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming, Core i5-5350U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-5350U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	HD Graphics 6000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3230M was priced at $225, while the Core i5-5350U came in at $315. On launch pricing ($225 vs $315), Core i5-3230M was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3230M delivers 11.4 pts/$ vs 8.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-5350U — making the Core i5-3230M the 32.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-5350U
MSRP	$225-29%	$315
Performance per Dollar	11.4+39%	8.2
Release Date	2013	2015

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