Intel Core i5-3230M vs Intel Core i3-10100Y

Intel Core i5-3230M

The Intel Core i5-3230M is a fast dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.6 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.2 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i5-3230M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to the architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is similar to the old i7-2620M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the faster variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i5-3230M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i5.

Intel Core i3-10100Y

The Intel Core i3-10100Y is a efficient dual-core SoC for tablets and passively cooled laptops based on the old Amber Lake generation from 2018. It was announced in Q1 2021 and is similar to the old Core i5-8200Y. The only difference is a slightly higher GPU clock (+50 MHz).

The CPU consists of two processor cores clocked at 1.3 - 3.9 GHz. Thanks to Hyper Threading, the processor can execute up to four threads simultaneously. The chips also includes the Intel HD Graphics 615 GPU, a dual-channel memory controller (DDR3L/LPDDR3) as well as VP9 and H.265 video de- and encoder.

Architecture

Intel basically used the familiar micro architecture from the Skylake / Kaby Lake generation, so the per-MHz performance is identical.

Performance

The average 10100Y in our database is just a little ahead of the AMD 3050e, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned, the latter being an entry-level, dual-core processor of the same energy efficiency based on the Zen architecture. This makes the Core i3 an OK option for basic day-to-day activities, as of mid 2022.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 615 iGPU has 24 Execution Units (EUs) not unlike the older HD Graphics 515 and runs at up to 1,000 MHz. The performance heavily depends on the TDP limit as well as the memory configuration; with fast LPDDR3-1866 RAM in dual-channel mode, the GPU should sometimes be able to compete with the HD Graphics 520, but can also be much slower in other scenarios. Modern games from 2016 will, if at all, only run smoothly in the lowest settings.

Contrary to Skylake, Kaby Lake and Amber Lake now also supports hardware decoding for H.265/HEVC Main10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec.

Power consumption

This little Core i3 here has a default TDP, also known as the long-term power limit, of 5 W that laptop makers are free to change to anything between 3.5 W and 7 W with clock speeds and performance changing accordingly as a result. Either way, the values are low and thus good enough for passively cooled tablets, laptops, mini-PCs and handhelds.

The i3-10100Y is built with one of the old 14 nm Intel manufacturing processes for low, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.