Pentium 2030M vs Pentium Silver A1030

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 Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Pentium Silver A1030 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

Pentium Silver A1030

2020

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium 2030M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,380 vs 1,396).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 2030M better than Pentium Silver A1030?

Yes. Pentium 2030M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 2030M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% 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, Pentium 2030M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 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 $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Silver A1030 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013) and 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 2030M vs Pentium Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030

The Pentium Silver A1030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: upto-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,380 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium 2030M and Pentium Silver A1030 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver A1030 — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver A1030 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Pentium 2030M is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium 2030M scores 1,396 against the Pentium Silver A1030's 1,380 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium 2030M. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M vs 4 MB on the Pentium Silver A1030.

Feature	Pentium 2030M	Pentium Silver A1030
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	—
PassMark	1,396+1%	1,380

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 2030M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver A1030 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.