CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3360M vs Intel Core i3-1110G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3360M is a high-end dual-core mobile processor released in June 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge lineup. Built on a 22nm manufacturing process, it represents the top-tier of the standard-voltage Core i5 mobile family for its generation. Operating at a base clock of 2.8 GHz and boosting up to 3.5 GHz, it delivers robust single-threaded performance that rivals some lower-tier Core i7 models of the same era. The processor features two cores and four threads, facilitated by Hyper-Threading technology. It maintains a 35-watt TDP, ensuring compatibility with standard laptop cooling solutions. The inclusion of 3MB of L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, while the integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics handle multimedia tasks and light gaming. This chip was typically reserved for premium 14-inch and 15-inch laptops where a balance of processing power and mobility was paramount. Today, it is considered a legacy product, but it remains a testament to the enduring performance of Intel's 22nm architecture.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Single-core speed keeps legacy apps feeling snappy.
Basic office tasks run fine, but having only two cores means heavy multitasking or complex spreadsheets will slow down.
Gaming
Handles older 3D games better than lower-tier i5s due to high clocks.
The Iris Xe GPU can handle very light older games at low resolutions, but it is not a gaming processor.
Virtualization
Can run a basic VM but limited by 2 cores.
Two cores and four threads are insufficient for any serious virtual machine hosting.
Efficiency
Pushes the 35W limit hard under load.
Excellent power efficiency characteristic of the 10nm Tiger Lake mobile design.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Slow for inference
- No dedicated AI hardware
- AVX-512 provides some vector compute capability but is impractical for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is still too weak for modern games
- Good for Source engine games (CS:GO, TF2)
- Requires low resolutions (720p)
- 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
- Highest clocks among standard-voltage Ivy Bridge i5s
- Strong single-core performance for its era
- Supports Intel vPro and TXT
- 35W TDP is manageable
- Includes AES-NI
Cons
- Only 2 cores / 4 threads
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- No official Windows 11 support
- Weak integrated graphics
- Often soldered (BGA) preventing upgrades
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 i5-3360M
- Intel Core i7-3520MRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3320MRival
Mobile CPU
- Intel Core i7-3610QMRival
Quad-Core Mobile
- AMD FX-8150 (Mobile)Rival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i5-4200HAlt
Haswell successor with better IPC.
- Intel Core i7-3540MAlt
Even faster Ivy Bridge dual-core.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250UAlt
Modern budget alternative with vastly superior iGPU.
Modern budget alternative with much better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Pentium Gold 4417UAlt
Modern alternative for basic office tasks.
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
The fastest standard-voltage Ivy Bridge i5, offering i7-like single-core speeds for its time, but obsolete today.
Best for: If you encounter a laptop with the Intel Core i5-3360M today, it should only be considered for specific legacy or budget purposes. As a 3rd-generation Core processor, it lacks support for modern connectivity like USB 3.1 Gen 2 or NVMe SSDs natively, and it does not officially support Windows 11. However, for users looking to revive an older ThinkPad or Latitude for basic typing, offline coding, or as a home server, the 3360M offers surprisingly capable performance. Its 3.5 GHz turbo boost means it can still handle single-threaded applications reasonably well. Ensure the laptop has an SSD and at least 8GB of DDR3 RAM to avoid bottlenecks. Do not buy this processor for modern gaming, video editing, or as a primary work machine. It is best suited for tinkerers, Linux enthusiasts, or those needing a cheap, disposable secondary device.
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 i5-3360M 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 i5-3360M or Intel Core i3-1110G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1110G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i5-3360M 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 i5-3360M (35 W), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3360M and Intel Core i3-1110G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3360M: Intel 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 i5-3360M (2,900), Intel Core i3-1110G4 (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.