Core i5-430M vs Pentium 997

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.

Core i5-430M vs Pentium 997 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-430M vs Pentium 997: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-430M

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium 997 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,210 vs 1,215).
❌105.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 17W.

Pentium 997

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 35W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core i5-430M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-430M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 997 better than Core i5-430M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-430M is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 997 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-430M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 997 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium 997 is the better buy right now. Pentium 997 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-430M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium 997 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-430M vs Pentium 997 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Pentium 997

The Pentium 997 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 997's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 1.6 GHz on the Pentium 997 — a 45% clock advantage for the Core i5-430M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-430M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 997 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Pentium 997's 1,215 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium 997. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 997.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium 997
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+58%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+41%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,210	1,215
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	750	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 997 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium 997
Socket	PGA988	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) / not specified (Pentium 997). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium 997 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.