CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3337U vs Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA)
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3337U is an ultra-low voltage mobile processor designed for thin-and-light laptops and ultrabooks. Released in early 2013, it is part of the Ivy Bridge family and built on a 22-nanometer process. Featuring two cores and four threads, it operates at a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and can boost up to 2.8 GHz. The defining characteristic of this processor is its remarkably low 17-watt thermal design power, which allows it to function in fanless or minimally cooled chassis. It includes 3 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000, clocked at 350 MHz with a max dynamic frequency of 1100 MHz. The 3337U was engineered specifically to meet Intel's ultrabook specifications, prioritizing battery life and portability over raw computational power. While its performance is modest, it was a highly efficient chip for its time, enabling a new generation of sleek, highly portable computers that laid the groundwork for modern ultrabooks.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with heavy web apps but okay for basic text.
Suitable for basic office tasks.
Gaming
Completely unsuited for modern gaming.
Inadequate for modern gaming.
Virtualization
Low clock speed and 2 cores make VMs painful.
Limited by 2 cores.
Efficiency
17W TDP was excellent in 2013, but outdated now.
35W TDP is high for thin-and-light designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Extremely slow CPU inference
- No AI acceleration hardware present
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is too weak
- Low TDP limits sustained performance
- Integrated graphics cannot handle modern games
- Limited VRAM sharing
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent battery life for 2013
- Very low 17W TDP
- Soldered for thin designs
- Good 1080p video playback
Cons
- Very slow by modern standards
- 1.8 GHz base clock is too low
- Soldered, no upgrades
- No Windows 11 support
- Struggles with modern web
Pros
- High turbo clock for 2013
- Compact BGA packaging
- Good single-thread performance
- Hardware virtualization
Cons
- Permanently soldered
- Obsolete performance
- 35W TDP in thin chassis causes heat
- No Windows 11 support
- Limited to DDR3
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3337U
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3667URival
Mobile ULV
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-2467MAlt
Older ULV alternative
- Intel Core i3-2367MAlt
Cheaper ULV dual-core
- Intel Pentium 987Alt
Budget ULV alternative
- Intel Celeron 877Alt
Low-end ULV
- AMD E2-1800Alt
AMD low-power alternative
Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA)
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-3540MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5550MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3320MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-3230M (BGA)Alt
Slightly lower clocks
- Intel Core i7-2640MAlt
Comparable older chip
- Intel Pentium 2020MAlt
Budget BGA alternative
- Intel Celeron 1005MAlt
Entry-level BGA
- AMD A6-5350MAlt
AMD mobile alternative
Our Verdict on Each
An efficient chip in 2013, but its low clock speeds make it painfully slow for modern web browsing.
Best for: Extremely cheap legacy laptop for offline writing.
Read the full reviewDelivers the same performance as the PGA variant but is permanently soldered, limiting repairability.
Best for: Keeping an old laptop alive for offline tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3337U or Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA)?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) 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 i5-3337U or Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA)?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA).
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3337U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3337U (17 W), Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) 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 i5-3380M (BGA) posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3337U (2,600), Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) (3,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.