Pentium 2030M vs Pentium E5300

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.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium E5300 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.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium E5300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $62 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Pentium E5300

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $72 less on MSRP ($62 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 116.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.5 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($62 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,395 vs 1,396).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E5300 better than Pentium 2030M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E5300 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 2030M pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 2030M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E5300 is the better buy right now. Pentium E5300 comes in $72 cheaper on MSRP at $62 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium 2030M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 116.0% better value on MSRP (22.5 vs 10.4 PassMark/$), 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 2030M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium E5300 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 2030M

The Pentium 2030M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,396 points. Launch price was $134.

Pentium E5300

The Pentium E5300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,395 points. Launch price was $64.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Pentium 2030M and Pentium E5300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium E5300 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Pentium E5300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Pentium 2030M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium E5300 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 2030M scores 1,396 against the Pentium E5300's 1,395 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium 2030M. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M vs 0 kB on the Pentium E5300.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium E5300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,396	1,395

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2030M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium E5300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium E5300
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 2030M was priced at $134, while the Pentium E5300 came in at $62. On launch pricing ($134 vs $62), Pentium E5300 was $72 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 2030M delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 22.5 pts/$ for the Pentium E5300 — making the Pentium E5300 the 73.4% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium E5300
MSRP	$134	$62-54%
Performance per Dollar	10.4	22.5+116%
Release Date	2013	2008

Search Pentium 2030M on Amazon

Search Pentium E5300 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.