CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) vs Core i5-3427U
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 Although outdated, this specific variant represents Intel's push to integrate powerful computing solutions directly into compact mobile form factors, a trend that dominates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.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Suitable for basic office tasks.
Slightly better than the 3317U but still struggles with heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Inadequate for modern gaming.
Handles very old games at low settings but fails at anything modern.
Virtualization
Limited by 2 cores.
Supports VT-d, making it slightly better for lightweight VMs than the 3317U.
Efficiency
35W TDP is high for thin-and-light designs.
Excellent efficiency for its time, enabling all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware present
- No AI hardware
- Insufficient compute power
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated graphics cannot handle modern games
- Limited VRAM sharing
- Dual-core bottleneck
- HD 4000 insufficient for modern 3D
- Lacks AVX2
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
- Low 17W TDP
- Slightly higher clocks than 3317U
- Supports VT-d virtualization
- Good battery life for 2012
- Hardware video decoding
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- No Windows 11 support
- Struggles with modern web
- Outdated DDR3 memory
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
Core i5-3427U
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- AMD A6-4455MRival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Intel Core i3-3227URival
Mobile Ultra-Low Power
- Intel Core i3-3217UAlt
Cheaper, lower performance alternative.
- AMD A10-4655MAlt
Better integrated graphics in the same TDP class.
- Intel Celeron 1007UAlt
Budget ultrabook 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 slightly faster version of the 3317U, offering a small bump in clock speeds for premium ultrabooks, but equally obsolete today.
Best for: Repurposing an old premium ultrabook as a media server.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) or Core i5-3427U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-3427U comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. 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 i5-3380M (BGA) or Core i5-3427U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) and Core i5-3427U.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-3427U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) (35 W), Core i5-3427U (17 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) and Core i5-3427U 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 i5-3380M (BGA) (3,800), Core i5-3427U (2,150). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.