Intel Core i5-3380M vs Intel Core i5-5200U Comparison

These two mobile processors, the Intel Core i5-3380M and the Intel Core i5-5200U, represent two very different design philosophies from Intel. The data shows they end up with nearly identical average benchmark scores—838 for both—placing them in the same 22nd percentile of all CPUs. Despite this statistical tie, their performance profiles are starkly different, with the older 3380M dominating in Cinebench tests while the newer 5200U takes a clear lead in Geekbench. This makes the choice between them heavily dependent on your specific workload and platform requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both processors have an identical average benchmark score of 838, and the head-to-head data shows a 0% deltaPct between them. They are effectively tied in overall performance metrics.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-3380M wins all five Cinebench tests, including R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core variants. Its margin is consistent at roughly 17.5% to 17.8% across these workloads.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-5200U wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 1464 in multi-core versus 1055 for the 3380M, and 742 in single-core versus 505, representing significant leads of 27.9% and 31.9% respectively.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The i5-3380M has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-5200U has a TDP of 15 watts. This indicates the 5200U is designed for much lower power consumption, which is typical for ultra-portable laptops.

Q: Do they have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both are 2-core, 4-thread processors. They also share the same cache configuration, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What socket do they use?

A: They are not interchangeable. The i5-3380M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i5-5200U uses Intel BGA 1168, meaning they are soldered or socketed for completely different motherboard platforms.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is significant, spanning two generations of Intel manufacturing. The i5-3380M is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the i5-5200U is based on the Broadwell architecture and uses a more advanced 14 nm process node. This process shrink is evident in the physical characteristics: the 3380M has a die size of 118 mm², whereas the 5200U is notably smaller at 82 mm². The newer chip also integrates 1,300 million transistors, a figure not provided for the older part.

Clock speed strategy is a major differentiator. The 3380M runs at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and can boost up to 3.60 GHz. In contrast, the 5200U operates at a much lower 2.20 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. This 0.70 GHz difference in both base and boost clocks is a primary reason for the 3380M's lead in Cinebench, which tends to scale with raw clock speed. The 5200U compensates for its lower clocks with architectural efficiency improvements from the newer Broadwell design.

Memory and I/O features also differ. Both support dual-channel DDR3, but the 5200U explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the 3380M does not have a specified figure in the data. The 5200U also has a defined PCIe configuration of Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), whereas no PCIe information is provided for the 3380M. Integrated graphics are upgraded on the newer part, moving from Intel HD 4000 on the 3380M to Intel HD 5500 on the 5200U.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split in workload suitability. The i5-3380M is the winner in all Cinebench iterations, which are rendering workloads that stress sustained multi-threaded and single-threaded CPU performance. Its advantage ranges from 17.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core to 17.8% in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. If your primary tasks involve rendering, video encoding, or other compute-heavy applications that resemble Cinebench, the 3380M's higher clock speeds provide a decisive edge.

The i5-5200U wins decisively in Geekbench tests, which often reflect more diverse, real-world application scenarios including memory latency and newer instruction sets. It leads by 27.9% in multi-core and 31.9% in single-core Geekbench scores. This suggests that for general productivity, web browsing, office applications, and other tasks that benefit from architectural efficiency rather than raw clock speed, the 5200U is the stronger performer. Its 15-watt TDP also makes it the only viable choice for fanless or ultra-thin designs where power consumption is critical.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every fundamental specification except for core count, thread count, and cache sizes. Here is a breakdown of the key differences:

• Base Clock: 2.90 GHz (i5-3380M) vs 2.20 GHz (i5-5200U)
• Boost Clock: 3.60 GHz (i5-3380M) vs 2.70 GHz (i5-5200U)
• TDP: 35 W (i5-3380M) vs 15 W (i5-5200U)
• Socket: Intel Socket G2 (988B) vs Intel BGA 1168
• Architecture: Ivy Bridge vs Broadwell
• Process Node: 22 nm vs 14 nm
• Die Size: 118 mm² vs 82 mm²
• Transistors: Not specified vs 1,300 million
• Memory Bandwidth: Not specified vs 25.6 GB/s
• PCIe: Not specified vs Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4000 vs Intel HD 5500
• Release Date: 2012-12-31 vs 2015-02-28
• Production Status: Not specified vs End-of-life
• Part Number: SR0X7 vs SR23Y

The i5-5200U also has a launch MSRP of $281, which can be stated once for reference. Notably, the 3380M does not have a launch MSRP listed in the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show an unusual pattern: one processor wins every test in one benchmark suite, while the other wins every test in another suite. This suggests they are optimized for different types of workloads.

In Cinebench, the i5-3380M is consistently ahead. The R15 multi-core test shows a score of 252 for the 3380M versus 214 for the 5200U, a delta of 17.8%. This pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (1051 vs 892) and R23 multi-core (2504 vs 2125), both also showing a 17.8% advantage. Single-core results are nearly identical in margin, with R20 single-core at 148 vs 126 (17.5% lead) and R23 single-core at 353 vs 300 (17.7% lead). These results indicate that the 3380M's higher clock speeds translate directly into a consistent multi-core and single-core rendering advantage.

The Geekbench results flip the script dramatically. In multi-core, the 5200U scores 1464 against the 3380M's 1055, a 27.9% lead for the newer chip. The single-core gap is even larger: 742 versus 505, a 31.9% difference. These are substantial margins, suggesting that the Broadwell architecture's efficiency improvements and potentially better memory handling give it a strong edge in the types of workloads Geekbench measures.

Overall, the i5-3380M wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i5-5200U wins the two Geekbench tests by much larger margins than the 3380M's Cinebench wins. This is why their average scores end up being identical at 838.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on your priorities. If you are building or upgrading a system around the Intel Socket G2 platform and need maximum performance in rendering and compute-heavy tasks, the i5-3380M is the superior option. Its consistent ~17.8% lead across all Cinebench tests demonstrates that its higher clock speeds (2.90 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) are more valuable for these workloads than the architectural improvements of the newer chip.

If you prioritize general system responsiveness, efficiency, and are working within the constraints of a low-power design, the i5-5200U is the better choice. Its 31.9% single-core and 27.9% multi-core leads in Geekbench indicate superior performance in everyday applications. The 15-watt TDP versus 35 watts is a massive difference for laptop battery life and thermal management. However, its BGA 1168 socket means it is not a drop-in replacement for the 3380M; it is typically soldered to the motherboard.

For a neutral recommendation: the i5-3380M is the pick for raw compute performance on an older socket, while the i5-5200U is the pick for a modern, efficient ultraportable platform that excels in general-purpose tasks. The near-identical average scores and the 22nd percentile ranking for both indicate that neither is a powerhouse by modern standards, but each serves a distinct purpose in the mobile landscape.