Core i5-3230M vs Core i5-7Y54

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Core i5-7Y54

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

0.0%

2,586

+0.8%

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 i5-7Y54 is on rank 1101, 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 i5-7Y54

#1089

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3189%

#1090

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3142%

#1091

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2885%

#1092

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2872%

#1093

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2845%

#1095

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2748%

#1096

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2635%

#1097

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2630%

#1098

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2560%

#1101

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

100%

#1102

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#1107

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

97%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

96%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

95%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

95%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

94%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

94%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-7Y54 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-3230M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-7Y54
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core i5-3230M holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $13 (vs $100), it costs 87% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 663% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-7Y54.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-7Y54
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+663%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($13)	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)

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 i5-7Y54 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Core i5-7Y54

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 i5-7Y54

The Core i5-7Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,586 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3230M and Core i5-7Y54 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-7Y54 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7Y54 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Core i5-7Y54's 2,586 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-7Y54. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 900, a 45.7% lead for the Core i5-7Y54 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,128 vs 1,700 (40.5% advantage for the Core i5-7Y54). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7Y54.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-7Y54
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+117%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
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	2,586
Geekbench 6 Single	565	900+59%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	1,700+51%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7Y54 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3230M) vs 10 (Core i5-7Y54) — the Core i5-3230M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M) and SoC (Core i5-7Y54).

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-7Y54
Socket	BGA1023	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+60%	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7Y54). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3230M) and Intel HD Graphics 615 (Core i5-7Y54) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming, Core i5-7Y54 targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core i5-7Y54
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Tablet/2-in-1

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3230M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i5-7Y54 debuted at $281. At current prices ($13 vs $100), the Core i5-3230M is $87 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3230M delivers 197.3 pts/$ vs 25.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-7Y54 — making the Core i5-3230M the 153.6% better value option.