Core i5-480M vs Pentium Gold 6405U

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 i5-480M vs Pentium Gold 6405U 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 i5-480M vs Pentium Gold 6405U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅+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 (Ironlake), while Pentium Gold 6405U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $81 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 6405U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Pentium Gold 6405U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,320 vs 1,327).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-480M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-480M better than Pentium Gold 6405U?

Yes. Core i5-480M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-480M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-480M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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?

Core i5-480M is the better buy right now. Core i5-480M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $81 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-480M vs Pentium Gold 6405U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

Pentium Gold 6405U

The Pentium Gold 6405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,320 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-480M and Pentium Gold 6405U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 6405U — a 19.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-480M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold 6405U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-480M scores 1,327 against the Pentium Gold 6405U's 1,320 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-480M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-480M vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 6405U.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Gold 6405U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+22%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+11%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,327	1,320

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-480M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 6405U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Gold 6405U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-480M) / not specified (Pentium Gold 6405U). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium Gold 6405U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.