CPU Comparison
Core i5-3317U vs Intel Core i5-3365M
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.
Can handle basic office tasks but struggles with modern web applications and multitasking.
Gaming
Cannot run modern 3D games; restricted to very light 2D indie titles.
Only suitable for very old or lightweight games at low resolutions and settings.
Virtualization
Lacks VT-d support and core count for effective virtualization.
Supports VT-x and VT-d, but only two cores limit practical virtual machine usage.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for 2012, though modern 7W chips are vastly faster.
Reasonable for a 2012 35 W mobile chip, but far less efficient than modern processors.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Insufficient compute for modern AI tasks
- No AI acceleration hardware
- No AVX2 or later instruction support
- Completely unsuitable for any AI workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 maxes out at 1050 MHz
- Dual-core bottleneck
- Lacks AVX2
- Intel HD 4000 is vastly outdated for modern games
- Can handle games like Minecraft, Terraria, and older titles at low settings
- No dedicated GPU means no realistic path to modern gaming
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
- Intel HD 4000 was a meaningful graphics leap for integrated solutions in 2012
- 22nm process improved power efficiency
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization support
- TXT (Trusted Execution Technology) for enterprise security
- AES-NI hardware encryption acceleration
Cons
- Only two cores, completely insufficient for modern multi-threaded workloads
- No AVX2 support limits newer software compatibility
- 35 W TDP is high by modern ultrabook standards
- No modern connectivity (USB 4, Thunderbolt)
- Obsolete for any current meaningful use case
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 i5-3365M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i7-3520MRival
Mobile Premium
- Intel Core i3-3110MRival
Mobile Entry
- AMD A6-4400MRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i5-4200MAlt
Haswell successor with better power efficiency and slightly improved graphics.
Slightly higher-clocked Ivy Bridge alternative in a socketed package.
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 Core i5-3365M was a solid mid-range mobile processor in 2012, offering meaningful improvements over its Sandy Bridge predecessors in graphics and power efficiency. Today, it is obsolete for any demanding workload but can still handle basic tasks in older laptops.
Best for: Keeping an existing laptop with this processor functional for basic tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i5-3317U or Intel Core i5-3365M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3365M leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Core i5-3317U and Intel Core i5-3365M.
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 i5-3365M (35 W).
Do Core i5-3317U and Intel Core i5-3365M 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 i5-3365M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-3317U (2,000), Intel Core i5-3365M (2,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.