CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) vs Core i5-3610ME
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 Although outdated, this specific variant represents Intel's push to integrate powerful computing solutions directly into compact mobile form factors, a trend that dominates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.
Handles embedded HMI and basic OS tasks well.
Gaming
Inadequate for modern gaming.
Not suitable for gaming beyond basic 2D applications.
Virtualization
Limited by 2 cores.
Stable VM performance due to ECC memory support.
Efficiency
35W TDP is high for thin-and-light designs.
Good efficiency for 2012, but surpassed by modern SoCs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware present
- No modern AI capabilities
- Inadequate compute power
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated graphics cannot handle modern games
- Limited VRAM sharing
- Not intended for gaming
- HD 4000 maxes out at 950 MHz
- Dual-core bottleneck
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
- Soldered BGA design resists shock and vibration
- Supports ECC memory for data integrity
- Compact footprint for thin devices
- Good 22nm power efficiency
- Includes AES-NI and VT-d
Cons
- Permanently soldered, no upgrades possible
- Obsolete for modern software
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- No Windows 11 support
- Outdated DDR3 memory controller
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 i5-3610ME
- AMD Embedded R-464LRival
Embedded
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile BGA
- Intel Core i5-3427URival
Mobile BGA
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Mobile BGA
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Embedded BGA
- Intel Core i5-3610ME SocketedAlt
Socket G2 version for upgradeable systems.
- Intel Celeron 1037UAlt
Budget BGA alternative for basic tasks.
- AMD A8-5557MAlt
Embedded alternative with better graphics.
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 reviewThe BGA version of the i5-3610ME offered a durable, space-saving solution for embedded systems requiring ECC memory and solid 2012-era performance.
Best for: Maintaining an unfixable legacy industrial motherboard.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) or Core i5-3610ME?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-3610ME comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i5-3380M (BGA) or Core i5-3610ME?
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 i5-3610ME.
Do Intel Core i5-3380M (BGA) and Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME (2,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.