Core i5-3230M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i5-3230M

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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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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.
Frequently Compared

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Intel Xeon L5638 44 views

Intel Xeon E5506 40 views

AMD E1-1500 38 views

Intel Core 2 Duo P7570 38 views

Intel Core i3-4012Y 36 views

Intel Core i5-4200Y 34 views

Intel Core i7-4510U 32 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 31 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 28 views

Intel Core i5-3230M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i5-3230M
Model Number: i5-3230M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 2600 MHz
Socket: FCBGA1023
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 1
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 4000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1100 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 22 nm
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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