Core i5-430M vs Pentium E6700

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 E6700 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 E6700: 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

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium E6700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,210 vs 1,219).

Pentium E6700

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core i5-430M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-430M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6700 better than Core i5-430M?

Yes. Pentium E6700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E6700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6700 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E6700 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-430M vs Pentium E6700 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 E6700

The Pentium E6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E6700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium E6700 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Pentium E6700 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-430M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Pentium E6700's 1,219 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium E6700. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6700.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium E6700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.2 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	3.2 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,210	1,219
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 E6700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-430M) vs 0 (Pentium E6700) — the Core i5-430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium E6700
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) vs VT-x (Pentium E6700). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium E6700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop, Pentium E6700 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.