CPU Comparison
Core i5-3317U vs Intel Core i5-3340M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3317U is an ultra-low voltage dual-core mobile processor launched in June 2012, specifically engineered for the burgeoning ultrabook market. Built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, it operates at a base frequency of 1.7 GHz and can dynamically boost up to 2.6 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. With a remarkably low thermal design power of just 17 watts, it prioritizes battery longevity and thermal efficiency, enabling fanless designs and extremely thin laptop profiles. The processor supports Hyper-Threading, managing four threads across its two physical cores to ensure competent multitasking. It includes 3 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000, delivering sufficient graphical performance for high-definition media playback and casual gaming. Designed for the BGA 1023 socket, it is permanently soldered, emphasizing its role in highly integrated, space-constrained mobile computing devices where thickness must be minimized.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with heavy multitasking but fine for single-app usage.
The 3.4 GHz turbo provides a small but noticeable improvement over the i5-3230M in single-threaded tasks.
Gaming
Cannot run modern 3D games; restricted to very light 2D indie titles.
HD 4000 at 1250 MHz turbo is slightly better than lower-clocked variants but still only suitable for very old games.
Virtualization
Lacks VT-d support and core count for effective virtualization.
Full VT-x, VT-d, and TXT support make this well-equipped for enterprise virtualization scenarios within its two-core limit.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for 2012, though modern 7W chips are vastly faster.
Standard 35 W mobile power consumption, identical to other Ivy Bridge dual-core parts.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Insufficient compute for modern AI tasks
- No AI acceleration hardware
- No AVX2 instruction support
- Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 maxes out at 1050 MHz
- Dual-core bottleneck
- Lacks AVX2
- HD 4000 at 1250 MHz turbo is the best integrated graphics in the Ivy Bridge dual-core lineup
- Still fundamentally limited for any modern gaming
- Can handle older titles like Minecraft and Source engine games at low settings better than lower-clocked variants
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very low 17W TDP
- Enabled thin ultrabook designs
- Good battery life for its era
- Decent burst performance
- Hardware video decoding
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard, no upgrades
- Severely underpowered for modern web
- No Windows 11 support
- Lacks VT-d virtualization
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
Pros
- Highest turbo frequency (3.4 GHz) of any socketed Ivy Bridge dual-core
- TXT Trusted Execution Technology for enterprise security
- Higher HD 4000 turbo (1250 MHz) than i5-3230M
- Socket G2 allows drop-in upgrades from Sandy Bridge
- Complete enterprise feature set: VT-x, VT-d, TXT, AES-NI
Cons
- Still only two cores, fundamentally limiting for modern workloads
- No AVX2 instruction support
- 35 W TDP constrains thin laptop designs
- Socket G2 platform is dead with no further upgrade path
- Quad-core i7 upgrades may offer better value on the same platform
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i5-3317U
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Intel Core i3-3217URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- AMD A6-4455MRival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Intel Core i5-3427URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- AMD A10-4655MAlt
Better integrated graphics in the same TDP class.
- Intel Pentium 987Alt
Lower performance, cheaper alternative for basic tasks.
Intel Core i5-3340M
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile ULV
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-3520MRival
Mobile Performance
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3365MRival
Mobile BGA
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Value
- Intel Core i7-3612QMAlt
Quad-core upgrade for Socket G2 that dramatically outperforms the i5-3340M in multi-threaded tasks at the same 35 W TDP.
Lower-cost dual-core alternative with only slightly lower clocks (2.6/3.2 GHz vs 2.7/3.4 GHz).
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A pioneering ultra-low voltage CPU that enabled the ultrabook era, but its dual-core performance is severely lacking by modern standards.
Best for: Using an old ultrabook as a lightweight Linux terminal.
Read the full reviewThe i5-3340M was the fastest dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile processor available in a socketed package, making it the ultimate upgrade for Socket G2 laptops. While thoroughly obsolete for modern use, it remains the best drop-in option for extending older business laptops.
Best for: As the final CPU upgrade for a Socket G2 laptop, providing the maximum possible dual-core performance on that platform.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i5-3317U or Intel Core i5-3340M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3340M leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Core i5-3317U and Intel Core i5-3340M.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-3317U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i5-3317U (17 W), Intel Core i5-3340M (35 W).
Do Core i5-3317U and Intel Core i5-3340M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-3317U: Intel BGA 1023, Intel Core i5-3340M: Intel Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.