Core i5-430M vs Pentium N3540

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 N3540 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 N3540: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+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 N3540 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Pentium N3540

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,207 vs 1,210).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $161 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 N3540 better than Core i5-430M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N3540 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-430M pulls ahead with 0.2% 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, Core i5-430M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium N3540 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3540 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $161 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-430M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N3540 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-430M vs Pentium N3540 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 N3540

The Pentium N3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,207 points. Launch price was $251.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium N3540 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 — a 5% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i5-430M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium N3540 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Pentium N3540's 1,207 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-430M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium N3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+5%	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,210	1,207
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 N3540 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-430M	Pentium N3540
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1170
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 N3540). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium N3540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.