CPU
GPU
Core i5-430M
Celeron M U3400
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 M U3400 is on rank 998, 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 M U3400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+557%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($33) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 M U3400
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 M U3400
The Celeron M U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.06 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron M U3400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 1.06 GHz on the Celeron M U3400 — a 81.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M. Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Celeron M U3400's 1,205 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-430M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 2 MB on the Celeron M U3400.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.53 GHz+139% | 1.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,210 | 1,205 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 750 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron M U3400 uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) / not specified (Celeron M U3400). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron M U3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($33 vs $5), the Celeron M U3400 is $28 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-430M delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 241.0 pts/$ for the Celeron M U3400 — making the Celeron M U3400 the 147.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Celeron M U3400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $86 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $33 | $5-85% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.7 | 241.0+557% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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