CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3340M vs Intel Core i5-3230M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3340M is a dual-core, quad-thread Ivy Bridge mobile processor in a socketed FC-PGA12F package for Intel Socket G2, offering 2.7 GHz base and 3.4 GHz turbo clocks with Intel HD 4000 graphics and TXT security, representing one of the fastest dual-core mobile CPUs of its generation.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 3.4 GHz turbo provides a small but noticeable improvement over the i5-3230M in single-threaded tasks.
Adequate for basic office work but modern web apps and multitasking will feel slow.
Gaming
HD 4000 at 1250 MHz turbo is slightly better than lower-clocked variants but still only suitable for very old games.
Intel HD 4000 at 1100 MHz turbo can handle very old games but is completely unsuitable for anything modern.
Virtualization
Full VT-x, VT-d, and TXT support make this well-equipped for enterprise virtualization scenarios within its two-core limit.
VT-x and VT-d support is present, but only two cores severely limit practical VM usage.
Efficiency
Standard 35 W mobile power consumption, identical to other Ivy Bridge dual-core parts.
Standard 35 W power draw for a 2013 laptop chip; modern processors achieve far more at lower power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- No AVX2 instruction support
- Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
- No AI hardware acceleration
- No AVX2 support
- Insufficient compute for any AI task
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- HD 4000 graphics with 1100 MHz turbo is the bottleneck
- Older games like League of Legends at low settings were playable in 2013
- No possibility of meaningful modern gaming even at lowest settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Widely adopted in 2013 laptops, meaning plentiful spare parts and community knowledge
- Intel HD 4000 was a capable integrated graphics solution for its time
- VT-d support for advanced virtualization pass-through
- AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption
- Reliable 22nm process with mature power management
Cons
- Only two cores, insufficient for modern workloads
- Soldered BGA package prevents any upgrade path
- No AVX2 or later instruction set support
- 35 W TDP is high by modern thin-and-light standards
- Completely obsolete for any meaningful 2026 use
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Intel Core i5-3230M
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile Value
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i3-3110MRival
Mobile Entry
- AMD A6-4400MRival
Mobile Budget
Slightly higher clocks (2.7/3.4 GHz) for marginal performance improvement at similar cost.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-4200MAlt
Haswell successor with better efficiency and improved integrated graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
The 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 reviewThe i5-3230M was a very popular mid-range mobile processor in 2013, offering solid dual-core performance with Hyper-Threading for everyday laptop use. Its 35 W TDP and BGA packaging meant it was destined for specific laptop designs, and it has since been thoroughly surpassed by modern processors.
Best for: Continuing to use an existing laptop with this processor for basic tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3340M or Intel Core i5-3230M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3340M 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 i5-3340M or Intel Core i5-3230M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3340M leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Intel Core i5-3340M and Intel Core i5-3230M.
Do Intel Core i5-3340M and Intel Core i5-3230M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3340M: Intel Socket G2 (988B), Intel Core i5-3230M: Intel BGA 1023), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3340M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3340M (2,000), Intel Core i5-3230M (1,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.