Core i5-3230M Benchmarks & Performance Report

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i5-3230M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,442 Rank: 1342

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1338	Core i3-2370M	4,444	+0%
1339	Celeron 3965U	4,444	+0%
1340	A10-7850K	4,443	+0%
1341	A10-7860K	4,443	+0%
1342	Core i5-3230M	4,442
1343	A10-5700	4,442	+0%
1344	Core i5-660	4,442	+0%
1345	Core m3-6Y30	4,439	-0.1%
1346	Core i7-875K	4,439	-0.1%
1347	Intel Core i7-640M	4,437	-0.1%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i5-3230M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,326 Rank: 1669

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1665	A4-3400	4,327	+0%
1666	Core i5-450M	4,327	+0%
1667	Phenom X4 9750	4,327	+0%
1668	Intel Core i5-430M	4,326	+0%
1669	Core i5-3230M	4,326
1670	Pentium E6600	4,326	+0%
1671	A8-7410	4,326	+0%
1672	Atom Z3740	4,326	+0%
1673	Phenom X4 9550	4,326	+0%
1674	Athlon II X3 435	4,325	+-0%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i5-3230M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,519 Rank: 1271

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1267	A10-6700	4,523	+0.1%
1268	Xeon E3-1265L v2	4,523	+0.1%
1269	Celeron G3900	4,522	+0.1%
1270	Core i3-6100H	4,522	+0.1%
1271	Core i5-3230M	4,519
1272	Core i7-2630QM	4,518	+-0%
1273	Phenom II X6 1090T	4,518	+-0%
1274	Core i3 540	4,518	+-0%
1275	Core i5 650	4,517	+-0%
1276	Celeron G1820	4,517	+-0%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i5-3230M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,536 Rank: 1255

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1251	Core i5-7Y57	4,536	+0%
1252	Celeron G4920	4,536	+0%
1253	Core i3-2125	4,536	+0%
1254	Pentium G3240	4,536	+0%
1255	Core i5-3230M	4,536
1256	Core i7-4500U	4,536	+0%
1257	Phenom II X4 945	4,536	+0%
1258	Celeron G3950	4,535	+-0%
1259	Atom C3558	4,535	+-0%
1260	Phenom II X4 940	4,535	+-0%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i5-3230M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,514 Rank: 1249

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1245	Xeon E5420	4,515	+0%
1246	Athlon Silver 3050U	4,515	+0%
1247	Pentium G4500	4,514	+0%
1248	Core i3-6100H	4,514	+0%
1249	Core i5-3230M	4,514
1250	A8-6500	4,514	+0%
1251	A8-3800	4,514	+0%
1252	Athlon II X4 605e	4,514	+0%
1253	Core i7-2620M	4,513	+-0%
1254	Celeron J3455	4,513	+-0%

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i5-3230M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,537 Rank: 1177

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1173	A8-7500	4,538	+0%
1174	Phenom II X6 1045T	4,538	+0%
1175	Ryzen 3 3200U	4,537	+0%
1176	A8-7670K	4,537	+0%
1177	Core i5-3230M	4,537
1178	A10-7860K	4,537	+0%
1179	Core i7-3687U	4,537	+0%
1180	Core i3-6102E	4,536	+-0%
1181	Core i3-2120	4,536	+-0%
1182	A10-9700E	4,536	+-0%

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Core i5-3230M Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i5-3230M remains a notable example of early 3rd-generation Intel Core architecture, offering a balance of performance and power efficiency for its time. Although now considered an older processor, released in 2012, it was designed for mainstream laptops and mobile workstations, targeting users who needed reliable performance without the premium price of higher-tier models. Built on a 22 nm process and based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, the i5-3230M delivers a solid foundation for basic productivity and multimedia tasks.

The processor features two physical cores with four threads via Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, enabling efficient multitasking. It operates at a base frequency of 2.6 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 3.2 GHz, allowing it to handle short bursts of demanding workloads effectively. The integrated HD Graphics 4000 GPU, with a base frequency of 650 MHz and a boost of up to 1.1 GHz, supports up to three displays and is capable of handling light gaming and HD video playback. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 W and a socket type of FCBGA1023, it is optimized for mobile platforms, ensuring good battery life in laptops.

In terms of memory, the i5-3230M supports up to 32 GB of DDR3-1333/1600 memory across two channels, with a maximum bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. It also supports a range of modern features, including Intel VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, and AVX2, making it suitable for virtualization, encryption, and media encoding. However, it lacks ECC memory support, which limits its use in enterprise or server environments.

Benchmark results show the i5-3230M achieving an overall score of 4,442, placing it at #1,342 among 2,060 CPUs. In single-core performance, it scores 4,519, ranking #1,271, which reflects its ability to handle single-threaded applications efficiently. Multicore performance, however, is more modest at 4,326, ranking #1,668, indicating that while it can handle multi-threaded tasks, it is outpaced by modern processors. Comparisons with similar CPUs show it is slightly faster than the Core i3-3227U and Core i5-450M, but slower than the Athlon II X3 435 and Core 2 Duo E7600, highlighting its position in the mid-tier of its era.

Overall, the Core i5-3230M is best suited for light office work, web browsing, and media consumption in older laptops. While it no longer competes with today's high-performance CPUs, it remains a viable option for users upgrading older systems or seeking a low-power solution. Its enduring relevance lies in its balance of performance, power efficiency, and feature set for its time.