CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-3380M vs Core i5-3610ME

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3380M is a high-end dual-core mobile processor launched in early 2013 under the Ivy Bridge umbrella. Targeting performance-oriented laptops, it features two cores and four threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to maximize parallel processing capabilities. With a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 3.6 GHz, it offered snappy single-threaded performance for mobile users of its era. Manufactured using Intel's 22-nanometer process, the chip incorporates 3 MB of L3 cache and operates within a 35-watt thermal envelope. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 handles graphical duties, providing modest performance for casual gaming and high-definition video playback. Unlike ultra-low voltage parts, the 3380M prioritized raw clock speed, making it a popular choice for thicker, performance-focused laptops that required robust cooling. While it has been thoroughly eclipsed by modern ultra-portable processors, the i5-3380M was a formidable chip in its day, delivering desktop-class responsiveness to the mobile space without compromising on essential feature sets.

Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-3380M
2C / 4T3.6 GHz35 W
5.8
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i5
Core i5-3610ME
2C / 4T3.3 GHz35 W
6.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile Embedded
Segment
Mobile Mainstream
Mobile Embedded
Generation
3rd Generation
3rd Generation (Ivy Bridge)
Launched
2013
2012
Status
Discontinued
Discontinued
Codename
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Series
Core i5
Core i5
Family
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Predecessor
Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i5-2510E
Successor
Haswell
Intel Core i5-4400E

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
2
2
Threads
4
4
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
2.7 GHz
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
3.3 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
3 MB
3 MB
TDP
35 W
35 W
Architecture
Architecture
Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge
Process Node
22nm
22nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3 (ECC Supported)
Memory Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR3-1600
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel Socket G2 (988B)
Intel BGA 1023
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-3380MBest42

Handles office apps fine but chokes on heavy scripts.

Core i5-3610ME35

Handles embedded HMI and basic OS tasks well.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-3380MBest32

Can run games from 2010-2013 on low settings.

Core i5-3610ME25

Not suitable for gaming beyond basic 2D applications.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-3380M38

VT-d helps, but 2 cores limit VM size.

Core i5-3610MEBest45

Stable VM performance due to ECC memory support.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-3380M48

35W TDP generates noticeable heat in older laptops.

Core i5-3610MEBest50

Good efficiency for 2012, but surpassed by modern SoCs.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-3380MNone
  • No hardware AI support
  • CPU inference is unfeasibly slow
Core i5-3610MENone
  • No modern AI capabilities
  • Inadequate compute power

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-3380MPoor
Basic Photo Editing
Core i5-3610MEPoor
Industrial UI DesignBasic HMI Rendering

Gaming

Intel Core i5-3380MPoor
  • HD 4000 is heavily outdated
  • No support for modern DirectX features
Core i5-3610MEPoor
  • Not intended for gaming
  • HD 4000 maxes out at 950 MHz
  • Dual-core bottleneck

Industry Impact

Gaming
Low
Low
Workstations
Low
Moderate
Content Creation
Low
Low
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Heavy Web Browsing
Fair
Office Applications
Good
Retro Gaming
Fair
Modern Gaming
Poor
Poor
Video Editing
Poor
Factory Automation
Excellent
Rugged Tablets
Excellent
Network Router
Good
Legacy Office Work
Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Targeted
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-3380M

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
Core i5-3610ME

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

Core i5-3610ME

  • AMD Embedded R-464L

    Embedded

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-3317U

    Mobile BGA

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-3427U

    Mobile BGA

    Rival
  • Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD A10-4655M

    Embedded BGA

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-3610ME Socketed
    Alt

    Socket G2 version for upgradeable systems.

  • Intel Celeron 1037U
    Alt

    Budget BGA alternative for basic tasks.

  • AMD A8-5557M
    Alt

    Embedded alternative with better graphics.

Our Verdict on Each

A 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 review
Core i5-3610MESituational

The 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 review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-3380M 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 or Core i5-3610ME?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3380M leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i5-3380M and Core i5-3610ME.

Do Intel Core i5-3380M and Core i5-3610ME use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3380M: Intel Socket G2 (988B), Core i5-3610ME: Intel BGA 1023), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i5-3380M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3380M (3,800), Core i5-3610ME (2,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.