CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3230M vs Intel Core i5-3380M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3230M (PGA variant, SR0WY) is a dual-core, quad-thread Ivy Bridge mobile processor in a socketed FC-PGA12F package for Intel Socket G2 (988B), offering 2.6 GHz base and 3.2 GHz turbo clocks with Intel HD 4000 graphics and the rare advantage of being upgradeable.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic office tasks but overwhelmed by modern web applications and multitasking demands.
Handles office apps fine but chokes on heavy scripts.
Gaming
HD 4000 graphics provide minimal gaming capability, limited to very old titles at low settings.
Can run games from 2010-2013 on low settings.
Virtualization
VT-x and VT-d support is present, but two cores limit practical virtual machine usage.
VT-d helps, but 2 cores limit VM size.
Efficiency
Standard 35 W mobile power consumption, unremarkable by modern efficiency standards.
35W TDP generates noticeable heat in older laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- No AVX2 or later instruction support
- Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
- No hardware AI support
- CPU inference is unfeasibly slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 with 1100 MHz turbo is the limiting factor
- Playable in very old or lightweight games only
- The socketed nature means a discrete GPU upgrade path may exist in some laptop chassis
- HD 4000 is heavily outdated
- No support for modern DirectX features
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Socketed design allows CPU replacement and upgrades
- Socket G2 supports both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors for flexible upgrade paths
- Intel HD 4000 was capable for its time
- VT-d and AES-NI support for business use
- Low cost on the used market for extending older laptop life
Cons
- Only two cores, completely insufficient for modern workloads
- No AVX2 instruction support
- 35 W TDP limits thin-and-light applicability
- Socket G2 platform has no future upgrade path beyond Ivy Bridge
- Obsolete for any meaningful 2026 computing
Pros
- High 3.6 GHz turbo for a mobile chip
- Socketed design allows upgrades
- Good single-thread performance for 2013
- Hardware virtualization
Cons
- Obsolete by modern metrics
- 35W TDP is high for dual-core
- Soldered alternatives are more common
- No Windows 11 support
- Weak integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3230M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Value
- Intel Core i7-3610MRival
Mobile Performance
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3210MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A6-4400MRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i7-3612QMAlt
Quad-core upgrade option for Socket G2 laptops that can handle the 35 W TDP.
Slightly faster drop-in upgrade within the same i5 tier.
Compare head-to-headHigher-clocked BGA alternative (not socket-compatible) with better graphics turbo.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-3380M
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-3540MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5550MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3320MRival
Mobile
Similar performance, slightly cheaper
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-2640MAlt
Older but comparable in speed
- Intel Pentium 2020MAlt
Budget mobile dual-core
- Intel Celeron 1005MAlt
Low-end mobile alternative
- AMD A6-5350MAlt
AMD mobile alternative
Our Verdict on Each
The PGA variant of the i5-3230M is functionally identical to its BGA sibling in performance but offers the significant advantage of being socketed and replaceable. This made it popular in business laptops where field upgradeability was valued.
Best for: Upgrading an existing Socket G2 laptop from an older Sandy Bridge processor to extend its useful life.
Read the full reviewA fast dual-core for its time, but outdated. Its socketed nature allows for rare mobile upgrades.
Best for: Upgrading an old Socket G2 laptop for basic use.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3230M or Intel Core i5-3380M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3380M comes out ahead with a score of 5.8/10. 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 i5-3230M or Intel Core i5-3380M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3380M leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i5-3230M and Intel Core i5-3380M.
Do Intel Core i5-3230M and Intel Core i5-3380M use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel Socket G2 (988B) socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3380M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3230M (1,900), Intel Core i5-3380M (3,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.