Pentium 2030M vs Pentium M 725

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 M 725 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 M 725: 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,396 vs 1,400).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Pentium M 725 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2338.1% higher power demand at 512W vs 21W.

Pentium M 725

2004

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 21W instead of 512W, a 491W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 2030M better than Pentium M 725?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 2030M is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium M 725 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium M 725 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium 2030M is the better buy right now. Pentium 2030M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium M 725 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2030M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2004). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium M 725 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 M 725

The Pentium M 725 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,400 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 2030M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium M 725 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Pentium 2030M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M versus 1.6 GHz on the Pentium M 725 — a 43.9% clock advantage for the Pentium 2030M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Pentium 2030M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium M 725 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 2030M scores 1,396 against the Pentium M 725's 1,400 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium M 725. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M vs 0 kB on the Pentium M 725.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium M 725
Cores / Threads	2 / 2+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm-76%	90 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	1,396	1,400
Geekbench 6 Single	—	150
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	150

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2030M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium M 725 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.