CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3337U vs Intel Core i5-3380M
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.
Handles office apps fine but chokes on heavy scripts.
Gaming
Completely unsuited for modern gaming.
Can run games from 2010-2013 on low settings.
Virtualization
Low clock speed and 2 cores make VMs painful.
VT-d helps, but 2 cores limit VM size.
Efficiency
17W TDP was excellent in 2013, but outdated now.
35W TDP generates noticeable heat in older laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Extremely slow CPU inference
- No hardware AI support
- CPU inference is unfeasibly slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is too weak
- Low TDP limits sustained performance
- HD 4000 is heavily outdated
- No support for modern DirectX features
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 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 i5-3337U
- 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
- 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
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 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 i5-3337U 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 i5-3337U or Intel Core i5-3380M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3380M leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i5-3380M.
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 (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i5-3380M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3337U: Intel BGA 1023, Intel Core i5-3380M: Intel Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3380M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3337U (2,600), Intel Core i5-3380M (3,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.