Core i5-430M vs Core i3-380M

Core i5-430M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2010

Core i3-380M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.53 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-430M

2 / 4

1,210

0.0%

Celeron 1047UE

Celeron 877

Pentium Dual-Core E2180

1,212

+0.2%

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 Core i3-380M is on rank 11, so the Core i3-380M 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 i5-430M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

121%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

119%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

110%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

109%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

108%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

104%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

100%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

100%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

97%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

90%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

89%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

88%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

79%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

75%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

75%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

72%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

121%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

119%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

109%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

109%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

108%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

104%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

100%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

100%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

97%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

90%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

89%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

88%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

79%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

75%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

75%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-380M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-430M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-430M	Core i3-380M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($33)	✅ More affordable ($25)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-380M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 24% cheaper ($25 vs $33) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-430M	Core i3-380M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+32%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($33)	✅ More affordable ($25)

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 i5-430M Benchmark Check

Core i3-380M Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-430M and Core i3-380M

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.

Core i3-380M

The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-430M and Core i3-380M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M — a 130.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). 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 Core i3-380M's 1,212 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-380M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 450, a 25% lead for the Core i3-380M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 1,100 (37.8% advantage for the Core i3-380M). Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Core i3-380M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+377%	0.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.53 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,210	1,212
Geekbench 6 Single	350	450+29%
Geekbench 6 Multi	750	1,100+47%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i5-430M) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i3-380M).

Feature	Core i5-430M	Core i3-380M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) vs VT-x (Core i3-380M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Core i5-430M) and Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) (Core i3-380M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop, Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Core i3-380M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($33 vs $25), the Core i3-380M is $8 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-430M delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 48.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-380M — making the Core i3-380M the 27.7% better value option.