Core i5-430M vs Pentium N3540
Core i5-430M
Pentium N3540
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 Pentium N3540 is on rank 1149, 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 Pentium N3540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($33) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+389%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($33) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) |
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 Pentium N3540
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.
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) | 2 MB+700% |
| 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 | — |
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 | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
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.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 $161), the Core i5-430M is $128 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-430M delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Pentium N3540 — making the Core i5-430M the 132.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Pentium N3540 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $161 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $33-80% | $161 |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.7+389% | 7.5 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2014 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-430M and Pentium N3540
