CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3320M vs Intel Core i3-1110G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3320M is a dual-core mobile processor launched in June 2012 under the Ivy Bridge generation. Fabricated on a 22nm process, this chip was tailored for business and performance-mainstream laptops. It operates at a base frequency of 2.6 GHz and can turbo boost up to 3.3 GHz, providing a slight edge over the 3210M. With two cores and four threads, it handles multitasking efficiently for its era. The 35-watt TDP ensures it runs cool enough for standard laptop chassis. A key differentiator for this model is the inclusion of Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT), making it more appealing for corporate environments where hardware security is a priority. It also features the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, which dynamically scale from 650 MHz to 1200 MHz. While it shares the same 3MB L3 cache as its siblings, the higher clock speeds give it a tangible advantage in single-threaded workloads. Though long discontinued, it represents a strong value tier from the Ivy Bridge era.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office apps well but struggles with modern web apps.
Basic office tasks run fine, but having only two cores means heavy multitasking or complex spreadsheets will slow down.
Gaming
Can play older titles like CS:GO on low settings, but nothing modern.
The Iris Xe GPU can handle very light older games at low resolutions, but it is not a gaming processor.
Virtualization
Basic VM support, limited by 2 cores.
Two cores and four threads are insufficient for any serious virtual machine hosting.
Efficiency
Decent efficiency for 2012, but poor by modern mobile standards.
Excellent power efficiency characteristic of the 10nm Tiger Lake mobile design.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI silicon
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
- No dedicated AI hardware
- AVX-512 provides some vector compute capability but is impractical for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is too weak for modern 3D rendering
- Suitable for 2D indie games
- Lacks modern API support like DirectX 12 feature levels
- Iris Xe graphics are a big improvement over UHD but still inadequate for modern AAA gaming
- Can manage simple 2D indie games or very old titles
- CPU will bottleneck even light games that rely on more than two threads
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Higher base and turbo clocks than 3210M
- Intel TXT and vPro support
- Good performance for 2012
- 35W TDP allows for easy cooling
- Hardware video encode/decode (Quick Sync)
Cons
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- No Windows 11 support
- Only 2 cores / 4 threads
- Weak integrated graphics
- Lacks modern I/O connectivity
Pros
- Modern 10nm manufacturing process
- Iris Xe graphics offer capable media acceleration
- Low 15 W power draw enables thin chassis designs
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage
- AVX-512 instruction support
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores severely limit multitasking
- Hyper-Threading cannot compensate for missing physical cores
- L3 cache is limited to 6 MB
- Only supports DDR4, missing out on LPDDR4X power benefits
- End of useful life for modern computing workloads
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3320M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3210MRival
Mobile CPU
- Intel Core i7-3520MRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i3-3120MRival
Mobile CPU
Even faster Ivy Bridge mobile alternative.
Compare head-to-headHaswell successor with better IPC and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Pentium 4415UAlt
Modern low-end alternative with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200UAlt
Modern budget alternative with superior graphics.
- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Modern alternative with much better performance per watt.
Intel Core i3-1110G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Pentium Gold 7505Rival
Entry Mobile
- MediaTek Kompanio 500Rival
ARM Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1125G4Rival
Upper Entry Mobile
A significant step up in both CPU cores and iGPU power for more demanding users.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Six cores and eight threads for a much more future-proof laptop experience.
- Alt
If available in the budget range, it vastly outperforms this Intel chip in both efficiency and multi-core speed.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A slightly faster, security-enhanced Ivy Bridge mobile chip ideal for old enterprise laptops, but unsuitable for modern use.
Best for: Buying a system with the Intel Core i5-3320M in the modern era is generally not recommended unless you have very specific needs. As a 3rd-generation Intel Core processor, it is fundamentally obsolete for modern workloads and lacks official Windows 11 support. However, if you are looking for a cheap, rugged, used ThinkPad for Linux experimentation, light coding, or as a typewriter, the 3320M is a capable chip. Its 2.6 GHz base and 3.3 GHz turbo, combined with four threads, can handle basic web browsing and document editing if paired with an SSD. Avoid buying this for gaming, streaming, or video editing. The presence of vPro and TXT makes it historically interesting for studying enterprise security, but for daily use, even a low-end Intel Celeron N4000 will offer better efficiency and modern feature support. Only purchase if the price is negligible.
Read the full reviewThe i3-1110G4 brings modern Iris Xe graphics and a 10nm process to budget laptops, but its 2-core configuration severely limits multitasking and longevity compared to 4-core alternatives.
Best for: The i3-1110G4 should only be purchased if you are buying a highly discounted, entry-level laptop strictly for basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. Its Iris Xe graphics make it marginally better than older 2-core chips for media tasks. However, modern operating systems and web browsers are increasingly demanding, and a 2-core processor will struggle to maintain smooth performance over the laptop's lifespan. You should avoid it if you plan to keep the laptop for more than a couple of years or need to run multiple applications simultaneously.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3320M or Intel Core i3-1110G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-1110G4 comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. 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 i5-3320M or Intel Core i3-1110G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1110G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i5-3320M and Intel Core i3-1110G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1110G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3320M (35 W), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3320M and Intel Core i3-1110G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3320M: Socket G2 (988B) / BGA 1023, Intel Core i3-1110G4: BGA 1598), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1110G4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3320M (2,700), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.