Intel Core i5 3230M  vs 3210M 

Two processors of similar league, the Intel Core i5 3230M and the Intel Core i5 3210M are a difficult pair to compare because of the many qualities they share and the little difference there is between the two. As the statistics from the tests below show, the 3230M and the 3210M both sport two cores which are above the 2GHz mark; the difference is that the 3230M’s cores are clocked at 2.6GHz- 3.2GHz with Turbo Boost- whereas the 3210M’s cores are clocked at 2.5GHz- 3.1GHz with Turbo Boost. In the end, however, this is an almost insignificant difference, when we add the other similarities:

Both processors are capable of supporting up to four simultaneous threads; both have a L3 cache of 3MB; both with a TDP of 35W; and both equipped with an Intel HD Graphics 4000 that clocks at 650MHz.

Probably the biggest difference comes from the fact that the 3210M has SSE4 support, while the 3230M has DDR-1600 support. Both are, however, suited for any gamer who wants a good gaming laptop, which is not cutting edge. If I had to personally pick one, it would be 3230M due to its DDR-1600 support.