CPU
GPU
Pentium U5400
Core i3-3227U
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 U5400 is positioned at rank 1219 and the Core i3-3227U is on rank 599, so the Core i3-3227U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium U5400
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3227U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium U5400 | Core i3-3227U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($214) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium U5400 | Core i3-3227U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($214) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 U5400 and Core i3-3227U
Pentium U5400
The Pentium U5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,286 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i3-3227U
The Core i3-3227U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,299 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Pentium U5400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3227U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Pentium U5400 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-3227U — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3227U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Pentium U5400 uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3227U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium U5400 scores 1,286 against the Core i3-3227U's 1,299 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-3227U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 170 vs 400, a 80.7% lead for the Core i3-3227U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 300 vs 900 (100% advantage for the Core i3-3227U). Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Pentium U5400 | Core i3-3227U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.2 GHz | 1.9 GHz+58% |
| Base Clock | 1.2 GHz | 1.9 GHz+58% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,286 | 1,299+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 170 | 400+135% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 300 | 900+200% |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium U5400 uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3227U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-800 memory speed. The Core i3-3227U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Pentium U5400) and HM77,HM76 (Core i3-3227U).
| Feature | Pentium U5400 | Core i3-3227U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-800 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Pentium U5400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3227U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Pentium U5400) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3227U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium U5400 targets Legacy Budget Laptop, Core i3-3227U targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i3-3227U rivals AMD A6-4455M.
| Feature | Pentium U5400 | Core i3-3227U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Legacy Budget Laptop | Legacy Ultrabook |
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