Core i5-3439Y
VS
Core i7-620M

Core i5-3439Y vs Core i7-620M

Intel

Core i5-3439Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i7-620M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-3439Y is positioned at rank 1077 and the Core i7-620M is on rank 262, so the Core i7-620M 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 i5-3439Y

#1065
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2893%
#1066
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2851%
#1067
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2617%
#1068
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2606%
#1069
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2582%
#1071
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2493%
#1072
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2391%
#1073
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2387%
#1074
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2322%
#1077
Core i5-3439Y
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1078
A9-9425
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
100%
#1080
Core i5-4402E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $100
99%
#1081
A6-7000
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
99%
#1083
Core i5-2520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
98%
#1084
Core i7-2710QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $40
98%
#1089
Core i5-3610ME
MSRP: $276|Avg: $22
95%
#1090
Core m3-7Y32
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1092
Celeron B720
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-620M

#73
Core i9-13950HX
MSRP: $590|Avg: $199
98%
#250
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
416%
#251
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
410%
#252
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
376%
#253
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
374%
#254
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
371%
#256
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
358%
#257
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
343%
#258
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
343%
#259
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
334%
#262
Core i7-620M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#277
Core 2 Extreme X9100
MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-3439Y leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-620M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-3439YCore i7-620M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-3439YCore i7-620M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3439Y and Core i7-620M

Intel

Core i5-3439Y

The Core i5-3439Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 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 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,957 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i7-620M

The Core i7-620M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,976 points. Launch price was $332.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3439Y and Core i7-620M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-3439Y versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-620M — a 36.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-620M (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-3439Y uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-620M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3439Y scores 1,957 against the Core i7-620M's 1,976 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-620M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 472 vs 350, a 29.7% lead for the Core i5-3439Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 966 vs 800 (18.8% advantage for the Core i5-3439Y). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3439Y vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620M.

FeatureCore i5-3439YCore i7-620M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.3 GHz
3.33 GHz+45%
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
2.66 GHz+77%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,957
1,976
Geekbench 6 Single
472+35%
350
Geekbench 6 Multi
966+21%
800
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3439Y uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-620M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3439Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 7-series (Core i5-3439Y) and HM55,QM57,HM57,QS57 (Core i7-620M).

FeatureCore i5-3439YCore i7-620M
Socket
BGA1023
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+300%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i5-3439Y) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-620M). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3439Y) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i7-620M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3439Y targets Budget, Core i7-620M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3439Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050U; Core i7-620M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600.

FeatureCore i5-3439YCore i7-620M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Performance Laptop