Core i5-4350U vs Core m3-7Y30

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 i5-4350U vs Core m3-7Y30 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 i5-4350U vs Core m3-7Y30: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4350U

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Core i5-4350U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4350U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,418 vs 2,425).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-4350U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4350U better than Core m3-7Y30?

Yes. Core i5-4350U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4350U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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, Core i5-4350U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4350U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-7Y30 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4350U vs Core m3-7Y30 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4350U

The Core i5-4350U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,425 points. Launch price was $342.

Core m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4350U and Core m3-7Y30 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4350U versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 10.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4350U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-4350U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4350U scores 2,425 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-4350U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4350U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	Core i5-4350U	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz+40%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,425	2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	—	768
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4350U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4350U	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4350U) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core i5-4350U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.