Quick Verdict
The i5-3340M was the fastest dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile processor available in a socketed package, making it the ultimate upgrade for Socket G2 laptops. While thoroughly obsolete for modern use, it remains the best drop-in option for extending older business laptops.
Overview
Launch
2013
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
3rd Gen Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-3340M is a dual-core, quad-thread Ivy Bridge mobile processor in a socketed FC-PGA12F package for Intel Socket G2, offering 2.7 GHz base and 3.4 GHz turbo clocks with Intel HD 4000 graphics and TXT security, representing one of the fastest dual-core mobile CPUs of its generation.
The Core i5-3340M (SR0XA) pushes Ivy Bridge dual-core mobile performance to its limit with a 2.7 GHz base clock and 3.4 GHz turbo boost, Intel HD 4000 graphics at 650-1250 MHz, 3 MB L3 cache, and enterprise features including TXT, VT-x, VT-d, and AES-NI, all in a socketed FC-PGA12F package for Socket G2.
Specifications
Performance
The 3.4 GHz turbo provides a small but noticeable improvement over the i5-3230M in single-threaded tasks.
Full VT-x, VT-d, and TXT support make this well-equipped for enterprise virtualization scenarios within its two-core limit.
HD 4000 at 1250 MHz turbo is slightly better than lower-clocked variants but still only suitable for very old games.
Standard 35 W mobile power consumption, identical to other Ivy Bridge dual-core parts.
- •HD 4000 at 1250 MHz turbo is the best integrated graphics in the Ivy Bridge dual-core lineup
- •Still fundamentally limited for any modern gaming
- •Can handle older titles like Minecraft and Source engine games at low settings better than lower-clocked variants
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •No AVX2 instruction support
- •Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Ivy Bridge
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
3 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-3340M represents the peak of Intel's dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile lineup in terms of clock speeds. It uses the same 118 mm² die as other dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile parts but is binned for higher frequency operation within the 35 W TDP envelope.
CPU Design
Two physical cores with Hyper-Threading providing four threads, running at 2.7 GHz base (27x multiplier) with turbo boost to 3.4 GHz. The 3 MB L3 cache is shared between both cores. This is the highest-clocked dual-core Ivy Bridge M-series processor available in a socketed package.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3 memory controller supporting DDR3-1600 with up to 32 GB system memory capacity.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU for peripheral and expansion device connections.
Overclocking
Multiplier is locked. BCLK adjustments may be possible on some laptop BIOS implementations but are not recommended.
- 22nm process from 32nm
- Higher turbo frequency (3.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz on i5-2540M)
- Intel HD 4000 from HD 3000
- PCIe 3.0 from PCIe 2.0
- TXT support not available on previous i5-2540M
- Better power efficiency at equivalent performance
Key Highlights
- Highest turbo frequency (3.4 GHz) of any socketed Ivy Bridge dual-core
- TXT Trusted Execution Technology for enterprise security
- Higher HD 4000 turbo (1250 MHz) than i5-3230M
- Socket G2 allows drop-in upgrades from Sandy Bridge
- Complete enterprise feature set: VT-x, VT-d, TXT, AES-NI
- Still only two cores, fundamentally limiting for modern workloads
- No AVX2 instruction support
- 35 W TDP constrains thin laptop designs
- Socket G2 platform is dead with no further upgrade path
- Quad-core i7 upgrades may offer better value on the same platform
History
The Core i5-3340M arrived in January 2013 as Intel pushed the dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile architecture to its clock speed limits within the 35 W TDP envelope. With a 3.4 GHz turbo boost, it represented the ceiling of what was achievable with two cores on the 22nm process at that power level.
</br>What made the i5-3340M particularly interesting was its feature set. The inclusion of TXT (Trusted Execution Technology), typically a Core i7 feature, gave enterprise IT departments a security capability at a lower price point. Combined with VT-x, VT-d, and AES-NI, the i5-3340M had a complete enterprise security stack.
</br>The processor found its niche as the definitive Socket G2 upgrade chip. Users with Sandy Bridge-era laptops could drop in the i5-3340M for a meaningful but not dramatic improvement. The more ambitious would skip it entirely for a quad-core i7, but for those whose laptops couldn't cool a quad-core or who wanted the highest single-threaded performance, the i5-3340M was the answer.
</br>As the last generation of socketed mainstream mobile processors before Intel's BGA transition, the i5-3340M also holds historical significance as one of the final examples of user-upgradeable laptop CPUs.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 22nm process from 32nm
- Higher turbo frequency (3.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz on i5-2540M)
- Intel HD 4000 from HD 3000
- PCIe 3.0 from PCIe 2.0
- TXT support not available on previous i5-2540M
- Better power efficiency at equivalent performance
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
As the final CPU upgrade for a Socket G2 laptop, providing the maximum possible dual-core performance on that platform.
Avoid if…
- Any new system build or purchase
- Modern gaming or content creation needs
- If a quad-core i7 upgrade (like i7-3612QM) is available for the same laptop
- Running any software released after 2020
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-3340M was the fastest dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile processor available in a socketed PGA package, making it the ultimate dual-core upgrade for Socket G2 laptops.
Its inclusion of TXT (Trusted Execution Technology) was unusual for a Core i5, as this feature was typically reserved for Core i7 and above in previous generations.
The HD 4000 turbo of 1250 MHz sits between the i5-3230M's 1100 MHz and the i5-3365M's 1350 MHz, showing how Intel scaled GPU clocks to match available thermal headroom.
At 3.4 GHz turbo, this processor actually matched or exceeded the base clocks of some early Haswell mobile processors.
The SR0XA S-Spec identifies this as a late-production Ivy Bridge part, reflecting its January 2013 launch as part of the refreshed lineup.
Despite being the fastest dual-core Ivy Bridge mobile CPU, quad-core parts like the i7-3612QM could outperform it significantly in multi-threaded tasks at the same 35 W TDP.
The 118 mm² die size is identical to the i5-3230M, as both use the same dual-core Ivy Bridge die; the higher clocks come from binning rather than architectural differences.
This processor was popular in the used market specifically because it was the best dual-core option for Socket G2 upgrades, commanding a slight premium over the i5-3230M.
The FC-PGA12F package designation indicates a flip-chip pin grid array with a heat spreader, designed for the mechanical stresses of socket insertion and removal.
Ivy Bridge's PCIe 3.0 support meant that Socket G2 laptops with this processor could theoretically use PCIe 3.0 SSDs, though most laptop OEMs wired the PCIe lanes for other purposes.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-3340M better than the i5-3230M?
Yes, the i5-3340M has slightly higher clocks (2.7/3.4 GHz vs 2.6/3.2 GHz), a higher HD 4000 turbo (1250 MHz vs 1100 MHz), and adds TXT support. The difference is modest but measurable.
Is the i5-3340M the best CPU for Socket G2?
It is the best dual-core option, but quad-core processors like the i7-3612QM (35 W) or i7-3720QM (45 W) offer significantly better multi-threaded performance if your laptop's cooling can handle them.
Does the i5-3340M support TXT?
Yes, Trusted Execution Technology is supported, which is uncommon for a Core i5-branded processor.
Can I upgrade from i5-2450M to i5-3340M?
Yes, both use Socket G2. You may need a BIOS update for full Ivy Bridge support, and the improvement will be approximately 10-15% in most tasks.
What is the HD 4000 turbo frequency of the i5-3340M?
1250 MHz, which is higher than the i5-3230M's 1100 MHz but lower than the i5-3365M's 1350 MHz.
Should I buy i5-3340M or i7-3612QM for my Socket G2 laptop?
For multi-threaded workloads, the quad-core i7-3612QM is significantly better despite slightly lower clocks. For single-threaded tasks, the i5-3340M's 3.4 GHz turbo may have a slight edge.
Does the i5-3340M run hotter than the i5-3230M?
Both have a 35 W TDP, but the i5-3340M may run slightly warmer under sustained load due to its higher clocks. The difference is minimal in practice.
Can the i5-3340M run Windows 11?
No, this processor does not meet Windows 11's CPU generation or TPM 2.0 requirements.
What is the part number of the i5-3340M?
SR0XA.
Is the i5-3340M worth upgrading to in 2026?
Only if you already have a Socket G2 laptop with a slower CPU and want to squeeze out the maximum possible performance from that platform without replacing the entire machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cores and threads does the i5-3340M have?
2 cores and 4 threads with Hyper-Threading.
What is the base and turbo clock of the i5-3340M?
2.7 GHz base and up to 3.4 GHz turbo boost.
What integrated graphics does the i5-3340M have?
Intel HD 4000 with a base frequency of 650 MHz and turbo up to 1250 MHz.
What is the TDP of the i5-3340M?
35 watts.
What socket does the i5-3340M use?
Intel Socket G2 (988B), also known as rPGA988B.
Does the i5-3340M support VT-d?
Yes, VT-d (directed I/O virtualization) is supported.
Does the i5-3340M support TXT?
Yes, Trusted Execution Technology is supported on this processor.
How much L3 cache does the i5-3340M have?
3 MB of shared L3 cache.
What package does the i5-3340M use?
FC-PGA12F.
Does the i5-3340M support AES-NI?
Yes, hardware AES encryption acceleration is included.