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Intel Core i5-3380M

Intel Core i5-3380M: A Laptop Processor from the Past in the Reality of 2025

Analysis of Capabilities and Relevance for Modern Tasks

Introduction

The Intel Core i5-3380M is a mobile processor released in 2013. Despite its age, it can still be found in used laptops or refurbished models. In 2025, it represents an archaic but intriguing solution for specific tasks. In this article, we will explore how it compares to modern chips, who might find it useful, and whether it's worth considering.

Architecture and Fabrication Process

Ivy Bridge: A Step Forward in Intel's Evolution

The processor is built on the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture (3rd generation Intel Core) with a 22 nm fabrication process. This was Intel's first transition to transistors with a three-dimensional structure (3D Tri-Gate), reducing power consumption by 20-30% compared to Sandy Bridge (32 nm).

- Cores and Threads: 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads). Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, Turbo Boost reaches up to 3.6 GHz.

- iGPU: Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 (16 EU, frequency up to 1250 MHz). In 2013, it handled HD video and simple games, but today it falls short of even budget graphics cards.

- Cache: 3 MB of L3 cache, a modest figure even for its time.

Architecture Features:

- Support for PCIe 3.0, DDR3-1600 MHz, USB 3.0.

- Virtualization technologies (VT-x, VT-d), but lacks hardware support for modern encryption standards (for example, AES-NI is only present in higher-end models).

Power Consumption and TDP

TDP 35W: A Balance Between Power and Battery Life

The 35W thermal design power (TDP) is typical for mainstream-level mobile processors from the early 2010s. In modern ultrabooks, this figure has decreased to 15-28W (for example, Intel Core i5-1335U).

- Heat Release: A compact heatsink and fan are adequate for cooling, but prolonged stress may cause throttling.

- Energy Efficiency: Even in 2025, the processor appears power-hungry—the 22 nm process lags behind the 7 nm (AMD Ryzen 5 7540U) or 5 nm (Apple M2) chips.

Performance in Real-World Tasks

Geekbench 6: Single-Core 559, Multi-Core 1114

For comparison:

- Apple M1 (2020) — ~2300 (Single), ~8300 (Multi);

- Intel Core i3-1215U (2022) — ~1800 (Single), ~4500 (Multi).

Office Work:

- Browser with 10+ tabs, Word, Excel—possible slowdowns due to insufficient threads.

- Video calls on Zoom: HD stream is processed, but background tasks (e.g., screen recording) will create load.

Multimedia:

- 4K Video: Smooth playback only with hardware decoding (e.g., via VLC).

- Photo editing in Lightroom: Working with RAW files will be slow (downsizing resolution is recommended).

Gaming:

- CS:GO: 720p, low settings—30-40 FPS (with frequent drops).

- Fortnite: Not recommended—HD 4000 graphics do not support many engine features.

Turbo Boost: The spike to 3.6 GHz lasts for 15-20 seconds, after which the frequency drops to 3.1-3.3 GHz due to overheating.

Usage Scenarios

Who Might Benefit from the i5-3380M in 2025?

1. Budget Tasks:

- Document handling, email, web surfing.

- Watching YouTube (1080p).

2. Educational Projects:

- Programming in Python, Java (but compiling large projects will take time).

3. Retro Gaming:

- Running old games (e.g., Half-Life 2, GTA: San Andreas).

Who Would Not Benefit:

- Designers, video editors, streamers.

- Windows 11 users due to its security requirements (absence of TPM 2.0 in older laptops).

Battery Life

Laptop Battery: What to Expect?

The typical battery capacity for devices from 2013-2015 is 40-50 Wh. With a TDP of 35W, the mixed-use runtime is about 3-4 hours.

Power Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep: Dynamic frequency adjustment based on load.

- C-States: Transitioning cores to low power mode during idle periods.

Tip: Replacing HDD with SSD and installing Linux (e.g., Lubuntu) can extend runtime to around 5 hours.

Comparison with Competitors

2013 Alternatives:

- AMD A10-5750M (Richland, 4 cores, Radeon HD 8650G): Better in multi-threaded tasks, but weaker in single-threaded (Geekbench 6 Multi ~1300).

- Intel Core i7-3520M: Higher frequency (2.9-3.6 GHz), but similar architecture—performance boost of up to 15%.

Modern Competitors (2025):

- Intel Core i3-1415U (15W, 6 cores): 3 times higher performance at a similar price ($400-500).

- Apple MacBook Air M2: Up to 18 hours of battery life, 4 times more powerful.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Low cost for used devices ($100-200).

- Repairability (replacing thermal paste, upgrading RAM/SSD).

- Support for Windows 10 (until 2025).

Weaknesses:

- No AVX2 support, AI instructions.

- Limited performance in multitasking.

- High power consumption by modern standards.

Laptop Selection Recommendations

Types of Devices:

- Ultrabooks from 2013-2015: For example, Lenovo ThinkPad T430—a sturdy construction with an excellent keyboard.

- Budget Models: Dell Latitude E6430—spare parts are easy to find.

What to Pay Attention To:

1. Screen: IPS matrix is preferred over TN.

2. RAM: Minimum of 8 GB (16 GB is better for Windows 10).

3. Storage: SSD (256 GB and above) is essential.

4. Battery: Check wear (e.g., using BatteryInfoView utility).

Tip: Do not buy this laptop as your primary PC. It is a temporary solution or a device for specific tasks (e.g., surfing at a summer cottage).

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-3380M in 2025 is a relic worth considering only in two cases:

1. Super Budget Segment: A laptop for $100-150 for basic tasks.

2. Nostalgic Projects: Building a retro PC or exploring hardware limitations of the past.

Key Benefits:

- Extremely low price.

- Ease of upgrading.

- Compatibility with lightweight OS (Linux, Windows 10).

Alternative: For $300-400, one can buy a new laptop with an Intel N100 (4 cores, 6W TDP, support for Wi-Fi 6) that will outperform the i5-3380M in every aspect.

Bottom Line: The Core i5-3380M is an example of a "workhorse" of the past, but by 2025 its time has expired. Choose it only if the budget is critically low and tasks are minimal. In all other cases, consider modern processors.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

January 2013

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-3380M

Code Name

Ivi Bridge

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.90 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1023 | FCPGA988

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

22 nm

TDP

35 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

105 C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8 2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

25.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

650 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.25 GHz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/SDVO/CRT

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Instruction Set Extensions

Intel® AVX

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

3 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

559

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1114

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

519

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1362

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1781

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

2938

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-3570

637 +14%

Core i5-3450S

597 +6.8%

Core i5-3380M

559

Pentium G3250T

524 -6.3%

Core i7-3517U

486 -13.1%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Athlon X4 880K

1445 +29.7%

Pentium G4560T

1259 +13%

Core i5-3380M

1114

Core i5-3320M

1008 -9.5%

Core i5-3437U

918 -17.6%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i7-980

553 +6.6%

EPYC 7551P

533 +2.7%

Core i5-3380M

519

Xeon E5-2609 v2

505 -2.7%

A8-9600

490 -5.6%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon E5-2695 v2

1499 +10.1%

FX-770K

1424 +4.6%

Core i5-3380M

1362

FX-4130

1279 -6.1%

Core i7-3689Y

1199 -12%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon Gold 5215

1835 +3%

Xeon Silver 4210R

1803 +1.2%

Core i5-3380M

1781

Xeon E5-2628 v3

1754 -1.5%

Core i5-3330

1719 -3.5%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

A8-7600

3231 +10%

Pentium Silver N6000

3072 +4.6%

Core i5-3380M

2938

Xeon E5-2603 v2

2751 -6.4%

Core i3-5157U

2593 -11.7%