Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-750

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Core i5-750

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.7%

2,546

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 Core i5-750 is on rank 960, 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 i5-750

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

25719%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

24302%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17645%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5316%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4211%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3683%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2110%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2082%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1896%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1896%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1875%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1824%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1798%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1791%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1775%

#959

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

100%

#960

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

100%

#961

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

100%

#962

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

99%

#963

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

98%

#964

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

98%

#965

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

98%

#966

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

97%

#967

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

97%

#968

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

96%

#969

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

96%

#971

Phenom II X3 700e

MSRP: $125|Avg: $40

96%

#972

Core i5-760

MSRP: $230|Avg: $61

96%

#973

Core i3-7102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $80

95%

#974

Core 2 Quad Q8400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $128

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3230M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-750 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.7% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-750
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3230M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 57% cheaper ($13 vs $30) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-750
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+132%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

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 i5-750 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Core i5-750

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 i5-750

The Core i5-750 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,546 points. Launch price was $150.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-750 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-750 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-750 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-750 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Core i5-750's 2,546 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-3230M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 424, a 28.5% lead for the Core i5-3230M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-750.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-750
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.66 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,565	2,546
Geekbench 6 Single	565+33%	424
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-750 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3230M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M) and P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i5-750).

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-750
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-750). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-750 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming, Core i5-750 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U; Core i5-750 rivals Phenom II X4 965.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-750
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Legacy Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3230M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-750 debuted at $210. At current prices ($13 vs $30), the Core i5-3230M is $17 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3230M delivers 197.3 pts/$ vs 84.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-750 — making the Core i5-3230M the 79.7% better value option.