Core i5-430M vs Celeron E3400
Core i5-430M
Celeron E3400
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 i5-430M is positioned at rank 12 and the Celeron E3400 is on rank 727, so the Core i5-430M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430M
Performance Per Dollar Celeron E3400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+122%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
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 i5-430M and Celeron E3400
Core i5-430M
The Core i5-430M 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 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.
Celeron E3400
The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.
Processing Power
The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron E3400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Celeron E3400 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-430M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron E3400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Celeron E3400's 1,220 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron E3400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 347, a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-430M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 624 (18.3% advantage for the Core i5-430M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 0 kB on the Celeron E3400.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.53 GHz | 2.6 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | 2.6 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (total)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,210 | 1,220 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | 347 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 750+20% | 624 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron E3400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M versus 1066 on the Celeron E3400 — the Celeron E3400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-430M) vs 0 (Celeron E3400) — the Core i5-430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i5-430M) and G31,G41,P35,P45 (Celeron E3400).
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | 1066+35433% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+104857500% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) vs true (Celeron E3400). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron E3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop, Celeron E3400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | true |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | Budget |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($33 vs $15), the Celeron E3400 is $18 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-430M delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 81.3 pts/$ for the Celeron E3400 — making the Celeron E3400 the 75.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron E3400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $53 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $33 | $15-55% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.7 | 81.3+122% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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