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 i5-4430S vs Core i7-2820QM 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 i5-4430S vs Core i7-2820QM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4430S

2013

Why buy it

✅+36% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $386 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Delivers 211.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $568 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2820QM.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2820QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-2820QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,763 vs 2,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($568 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4430S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4430S better than Core i7-2820QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2820QM is ahead with a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430S pulls ahead with 36% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-2820QM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430S is the stronger fit. You are getting 36% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4430S is the better buy right now. Core i5-4430S comes in $386 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $568 MSRP, and it still gives you 36% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-2820QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 211.9% better value on MSRP (24.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4430S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4430S vs Core i7-2820QM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4430S

The Core i5-4430S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,376 points. Launch price was $135.

Core i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4430S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2820QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2820QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4430S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4430S scores 4,376 against the Core i7-2820QM's 4,379 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2820QM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 877 vs 554, a 45.1% lead for the Core i5-4430S that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,397 vs 1,763 (30.5% advantage for the Core i5-4430S). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4430S vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM.

Feature	Core i5-4430S	Core i7-2820QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+17%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,376	4,379
Geekbench 6 Single	877+58%	554
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,397+36%	1,763

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4430S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4430S) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2820QM).

Feature	Core i5-4430S	Core i7-2820QM
Socket	LGA1150	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4430S) vs true (Core i7-2820QM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4430S) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2820QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4430S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430S rivals Ryzen 3 1200; Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i5-4430S	Core i7-2820QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4430S was priced at $182, while the Core i7-2820QM came in at $568. On launch pricing ($182 vs $568), Core i5-4430S was $386 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4430S delivers 24.0 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-2820QM — making the Core i5-4430S the 102.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4430S	Core i7-2820QM
MSRP	$182-68%	$568
Performance per Dollar	24.0+212%	7.7
Release Date	2013	2011

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