Pentium Silver A1030
VS
Core i3-3217UE

Pentium Silver A1030 vs Core i3-3217UE

Intel

Pentium Silver A1030

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2020
VS
Intel

Core i3-3217UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2012

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 Silver A1030 is positioned at rank 1140 and the Core i3-3217UE is on rank 1187, so the Pentium Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030

#1128
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3825%
#1129
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3769%
#1130
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3460%
#1131
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3445%
#1132
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3413%
#1134
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3296%
#1135
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
3160%
#1136
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
3155%
#1137
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3070%
#1140
Pentium Silver A1030
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1141
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
100%
#1142
Pentium B950
MSRP: $134|Avg: $35
99%
#1143
Celeron 220
MSRP: $42|Avg: $42
99%
#1144
Pentium B960
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
99%
#1146
Pentium 957
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
99%
#1147
Core 2 Duo SL9400
MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A
98%
#1149
Pentium N3540
MSRP: $161|Avg: $161
98%
#1150
Core i7-3555LE
MSRP: $300|Avg: $280
97%
#1151
Core i3-2377M
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
96%
#1152
Core 2 Duo E8435
MSRP: $150|Avg: $74
96%
#1153
Celeron M 723
MSRP: $161|Avg: $161
96%
#1154
Core i7-3517UE
MSRP: $330|Avg: $35
94%
#1155
Core M-5Y51
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217UE

#1175
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4850%
#1176
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4779%
#1177
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
4387%
#1178
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
4367%
#1179
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4327%
#1181
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4179%
#1182
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4007%
#1183
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4000%
#1184
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3893%
#1187
Core i3-3217UE
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
100%
#1188
Celeron T3000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $54
100%
#1189
Core m7-6Y75
MSRP: $393|Avg: $393
99%
#1190
Core M-5Y10
MSRP: $281|Avg: $20
97%
#1193
Celeron 900
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
93%
#1194
Pentium T3400
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
93%
#1195
Core 2 Solo SU3500
MSRP: $262|Avg: $15
93%
#1196
Core 2 Duo E8335
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
90%
#1199
Celeron 560
MSRP: $89|Avg: $5
88%
#1200
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
87%
#1201
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
87%
#1202
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
87%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Silver A1030 (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and upto-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPentium Silver A1030Core i3-3217UE
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Legacy / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-3217UE (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and **unknown Dual-channel**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPentium Silver A1030Core i3-3217UE
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)

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 Silver A1030 and Core i3-3217UE

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i3-3217UE

The Core i3-3217UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,362 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Pentium Silver A1030 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3217UE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver A1030 versus 1.6 GHz on the Core i3-3217UE — a 51.2% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver A1030. The Core i3-3217UE is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Silver A1030 scores 1,380 against the Core i3-3217UE's 1,362 — a 1.3% lead for the Pentium Silver A1030. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Silver A1030 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217UE.

FeaturePentium Silver A1030Core i3-3217UE
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz+69%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,380+1%
1,362
Geekbench 6 Single
353
Geekbench 6 Multi
790
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Silver A1030 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3217UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium Silver A1030Core i3-3217UE
Socket
FCBGA1090
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Silver A1030) / Yes (Core i3-3217UE). The Core i3-3217UE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Pentium Silver A1030 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3217UE targets Embedded.

FeaturePentium Silver A1030Core i3-3217UE
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Embedded