Core i5-430UM vs Pentium E6600

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 i5-430UM vs Pentium E6600 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 i5-430UM vs Pentium E6600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-430UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium E6600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,185 vs 1,194).

Pentium E6600

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Core i5-430UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-430UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6600 better than Core i5-430UM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-430UM is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6600 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E6600 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $84 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-430UM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E6600 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-430UM vs Pentium E6600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-430UM

The Core i5-430UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.73 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,185 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium E6600

The Pentium E6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 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: 1,194 points. Launch price was $16.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-430UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E6600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.73 GHz on the Core i5-430UM versus 0.07 GHz on the Pentium E6600 — a 184.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-430UM (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i5-430UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6600 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430UM scores 1,185 against the Pentium E6600's 1,194 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium E6600. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-430UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6600.

Feature	Core i5-430UM	Pentium E6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.73 GHz+2371%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.06 GHz+155%
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB (total)+300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,185	1,194
Geekbench 6 Single	250	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	500	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-430UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-430UM	Pentium E6600
Socket	BGA1288	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	—
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 (Core i5-430UM) / not specified (Pentium E6600). The Core i5-430UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium E6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430UM targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-430UM rivals Pentium SU7300.