Pentium 3805U
VS
Core i3-2312M

Pentium 3805U vs Core i3-2312M

Intel

Pentium 3805U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Core i3-2312M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Pentium 3805U is positioned at rank 344 and the Core i3-2312M is on rank 1200, so the Pentium 3805U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium 3805U

#101
Core i5-1350P
MSRP: $320|Avg: $250
98%
#102
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
97%
#332
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
491%
#333
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
483%
#334
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
444%
#335
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
442%
#336
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
438%
#338
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
423%
#339
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
405%
#340
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
405%
#341
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
394%
#344
Pentium 3805U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2312M

#1188
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
5557%
#1189
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
5475%
#1190
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5027%
#1191
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5004%
#1192
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4958%
#1194
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4788%
#1195
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4591%
#1196
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4583%
#1197
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4460%
#1200
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#1201
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
100%
#1202
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
99%
#1203
Core 2 Duo U7700
MSRP: $262|Avg: $10
97%
#1204
Core 2 Duo E8135
MSRP: $200|Avg: $15
97%
#1205
Core Duo T2400
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
96%
#1206
Core 2 Duo U7600
MSRP: $250|Avg: $5
96%
#1207
Pentium M 735
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
94%
#1208
Core i7-620LM
MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A
92%
#1209
Core i7-740QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
92%
#1211
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
90%
#1212
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
90%
#1213
Celeron U3600
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
88%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-2312M leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium 3805U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightPentium 3805UCore i3-2312M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightPentium 3805UCore i3-2312M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium 3805U and Core i3-2312M

Intel

Pentium 3805U

The Pentium 3805U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $161.

Intel

Core i3-2312M

The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The Pentium 3805U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2312M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Pentium 3805U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i3-2312M (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Pentium 3805U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-2312M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 3805U scores 1,196 against the Core i3-2312M's 1,189 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium 3805U. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3805U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2312M.

FeaturePentium 3805UCore i3-2312M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.9 GHz
2.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
2.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Broadwell-U (2015)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,196
1,189
Geekbench 6 Multi
731
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 3805U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2312M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Pentium 3805U versus 1333 on the Core i3-2312M — the Core i3-2312M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Pentium 3805U) vs 16 (Core i3-2312M) — the Core i3-2312M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeaturePentium 3805UCore i3-2312M
Socket
FCBGA1168
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+104857500%
16
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
16+33%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Pentium 3805U) vs true (Core i3-2312M). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics (Broadwell) (Pentium 3805U) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2312M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 3805U targets Mobile.

FeaturePentium 3805UCore i3-2312M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Broadwell)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
true
Target Use
Mobile