CPU
GPU
Pentium N3540
Core i5-430M
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 N3540 is positioned at rank 1149 and the Core i5-430M is on rank 12, so the Core i5-430M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3540
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+389%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($161) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
Performance Check
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 N3540 and Core i5-430M
Pentium N3540
The Pentium N3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,207 points. Launch price was $251.
Core i5-430M
The Core i5-430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.
Processing Power
The Pentium N3540 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-430M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Pentium N3540 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 5% clock advantage for the Pentium N3540 (base: 2.16 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Pentium N3540 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-430M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium N3540 scores 1,207 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-430M. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N3540 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.66 GHz+5% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.16 GHz | 2.26 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB L2 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,207 | 1,210 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 350 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 750 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium N3540 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1170 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Pentium N3540) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium N3540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Performance Laptop |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($161 vs $33), the Core i5-430M is $128 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium N3540 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 36.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-430M — making the Core i5-430M the 132.1% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium N3540 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $161 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $161 | $33-80% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.5 | 36.7+389% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2010 |
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