CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3439Y vs Intel Core i5-3230M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3439Y is an ultra-low-voltage dual-core mobile processor from the Ivy Bridge Y-series, running at just 13 W TDP with a 1.5 GHz base clock and 2.3 GHz turbo, designed for tablets, convertibles, and fanless ultrathin devices.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Only suitable for the most basic document editing and simple tasks; struggles with modern web applications.
Adequate for basic office work but modern web apps and multitasking will feel slow.
Gaming
No integrated graphics capability listed; even if present, performance would be negligible for any gaming.
Intel HD 4000 at 1100 MHz turbo can handle very old games but is completely unsuitable for anything modern.
Virtualization
With only two threads and no Hyper-Threading, virtualization is extremely limited.
VT-x and VT-d support is present, but only two cores severely limit practical VM usage.
Efficiency
Impressive power efficiency for 2013, but modern low-power chips deliver vastly more performance per watt.
Standard 35 W power draw for a 2013 laptop chip; modern processors achieve far more at lower power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- Insufficient compute performance for any AI workload
- No AI hardware acceleration
- No AVX2 support
- Insufficient compute for any AI task
Content Creation
Gaming
- No integrated graphics listed for this SKU
- Even with HD 4000 graphics, gaming would be practically impossible
- This chip was never intended for any gaming workload
- HD 4000 graphics with 1100 MHz turbo is the bottleneck
- Older games like League of Legends at low settings were playable in 2013
- No possibility of meaningful modern gaming even at lowest settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Extremely low 13 W TDP enabled novel device form factors
- 22nm process provided good power efficiency for its era
- VT-x virtualization support despite low power
- AES-NI encryption acceleration
- XD bit (NX bit) security feature
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading on a Core i5-branded processor
- Very low clock speeds (1.5 GHz base, 2.3 GHz turbo)
- No listed integrated graphics capability
- Completely obsolete for any modern use
- Even in 2013, performance was minimal for the Core i5 price premium
Pros
- Widely adopted in 2013 laptops, meaning plentiful spare parts and community knowledge
- Intel HD 4000 was a capable integrated graphics solution for its time
- VT-d support for advanced virtualization pass-through
- AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption
- Reliable 22nm process with mature power management
Cons
- Only two cores, insufficient for modern workloads
- Soldered BGA package prevents any upgrade path
- No AVX2 or later instruction set support
- 35 W TDP is high by modern thin-and-light standards
- Completely obsolete for any meaningful 2026 use
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3439Y
- AMD Z-60Rival
Tablet
- Intel Atom Z2760Rival
Tablet
- NVIDIA Tegra 3Rival
Tablet
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 ProRival
Tablet
- Intel Core i5-3317YRival
ULV Mobile
Haswell successor with better power efficiency and improved integrated graphics.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-3229YAlt
Similar Y-series part with comparable performance at potentially lower cost.
Intel Core i5-3230M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Value
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i3-3110MRival
Mobile Entry
- AMD A6-4400MRival
Mobile Budget
Slightly higher clocks (2.7/3.4 GHz) for marginal performance improvement at similar cost.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-4200MAlt
Haswell successor with better efficiency and improved integrated graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-3439Y traded performance for extreme power efficiency, enabling new device categories in 2013. Without Hyper-Threading and with very low clocks, it was already modest for its time and is thoroughly obsolete today.
Best for: No scenario; this processor is obsolete and should not be sought for any purpose.
Read the full reviewThe i5-3230M was a very popular mid-range mobile processor in 2013, offering solid dual-core performance with Hyper-Threading for everyday laptop use. Its 35 W TDP and BGA packaging meant it was destined for specific laptop designs, and it has since been thoroughly surpassed by modern processors.
Best for: Continuing to use an existing laptop with this processor for basic tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3439Y or Intel Core i5-3230M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3230M comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3439Y or Intel Core i5-3230M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3230M leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-3439Y and Intel Core i5-3230M.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3439Y has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3439Y (13 W), Intel Core i5-3230M (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3439Y and Intel Core i5-3230M use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1023 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3230M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3439Y (1,050), Intel Core i5-3230M (1,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.