CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) vs Intel Core i5-3380M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA variant) is a dual-core mobile processor released in early 2013, utilizing the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture. Identical in silicon to its PGA counterpart, this version is permanently soldered to the motherboard using the FCBGA1023 socket, making it ideal for ultra-thin laptops where space and z-height are restricted. It operates with two cores and four threads, boasting a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.6 GHz. The processor is built on a 22-nanometer process, incorporating 3 MB of L3 cache and a 35-watt thermal design power. Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 provides basic graphical capabilities, handling everyday multimedia and older games with relative ease. Because it is a BGA package, it cannot be upgraded, meaning the lifespan of the CPU is directly tied to the motherboard. Although outdated, this specific variant represents Intel's push to integrate powerful computing solutions directly into compact mobile form factors, a trend that dominates modern laptop manufacturing.
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Suitable for basic office tasks.
Handles office apps fine but chokes on heavy scripts.
Gaming
Inadequate for modern gaming.
Can run games from 2010-2013 on low settings.
Virtualization
Limited by 2 cores.
VT-d helps, but 2 cores limit VM size.
Efficiency
35W TDP is high for thin-and-light designs.
35W TDP generates noticeable heat in older laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware present
- No hardware AI support
- CPU inference is unfeasibly slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated graphics cannot handle modern games
- Limited VRAM sharing
- HD 4000 is heavily outdated
- No support for modern DirectX features
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
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 i5-3380M (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
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
Delivers 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 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
Do Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) and Intel Core i5-3380M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA): Intel BGA 1023, Intel Core i5-3380M: Intel Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.