Intel Core i3-2310E

The Intel Core i3-2310E is a dual-core mobile processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, fabricated on Intel's 32 nm process. It runs at a fixed 2.10 GHz base clock with no boost capability, has a 35 W TDP, and integrates Intel HD 3000 graphics. The chip uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory. In the benchmark database, it holds an average score of 539 and sits in the 10th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that it outperforms only a tenth of the processor population.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i3-2310E's Cinebench results show a modest but consistent performance profile across different workload versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 157; in R20 multi-core, it reaches 658; and in R23 multi-core, it achieves 1568. The single-core scores are correspondingly low: 92 in R20 and 221 in R23. These numbers place the chip firmly in the entry-level segment of the benchmark distribution. The average benchmark score of 539, combined with the 10th percentile ranking, confirms that the processor sits near the bottom of the overall CPU performance ladder.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the i3-2310E is statistically indistinguishable in aggregate performance. The AMD Phenom II X3 B77 has an identical average score of 539, yielding a deltaPct of 0%. The Intel Core i3-4100E scores 540, which corresponds to a deltaPct of -0.2% — meaning the i3-2310E is marginally slower. Conversely, the Intel Celeron N4500 scores 538 (deltaPct +0.2%) and the Intel Core i3-2105 scores 537 (deltaPct +0.4%), indicating the i3-2310E holds a slight edge over both. All these deltas are within 0.4 percentage points, so the i3-2310E performs effectively on par with its closest competitors.

The multi-core Cinebench scores reveal a clear scaling pattern. The R23 multi-core score of 1568 is roughly seven times the single-core score of 221, which is expected for a dual-core, four-thread part without turbo boost. However, the absolute values are low: a modern high-end CPU would score several times higher, but the data here only covers this specific chip. The R20 and R15 scores follow the same trend, reinforcing that the i3-2310E delivers consistent, if unspectacular, throughput across rendering workloads.

Who Should Consider It

Given the benchmark results, the Core i3-2310E is suited for light, everyday computing tasks rather than demanding applications. Its single-core score of 221 in Cinebench R23 suggests that basic office productivity, web browsing, and document editing will run acceptably, but any workload that relies heavily on CPU computation — such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or large-scale data analysis — will likely be constrained. The multi-core score of 1568 in R23 indicates that multi-threaded applications can utilize the four threads, but the overall throughput is limited by the low clock speed and modest architecture.

For gaming, the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics and the CPU's low single-thread performance mean that only older or less demanding titles would be playable at low settings. The lack of a boost clock further limits responsiveness in bursty tasks. Users who primarily perform web browsing, email, and light spreadsheet work would find the i3-2310E adequate. It could also serve in embedded or industrial applications where the BGA socket and 35 W TDP are advantageous, and where performance requirements are minimal.

The 10th percentile standing underscores that this is not a processor for enthusiasts or professionals. It is a chip for scenarios where cost and power efficiency are prioritized over raw speed, though no pricing information is available in the data. The end-of-life production status suggests that it is not a current recommendation for new builds, but it may still appear in legacy systems or as a replacement part.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-core and multi-core scores reveals how the i3-2310E handles different workload types. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 221, while the multi-core score is 1568 — a ratio of approximately 7.1. This indicates that the two physical cores with Hyper-Threading (four threads total) provide strong scaling when multiple threads are available. The lack of a boost clock means the single-thread performance is capped at the base 2.10 GHz, which is relatively low by modern standards but consistent with the chip's 2011 release.

In real-world terms, applications that are single-threaded — such as many legacy productivity tools or certain database operations — will see the full 2.10 GHz but nothing more. The single-core scores in Cinebench R20 (92) and R23 (221) are among the lowest in the database, reflecting the processor's limited per-core throughput. Multi-threaded workloads, however, can take advantage of all four threads, and the multi-core scores are proportionally higher. This behavior is typical of dual-core processors with Hyper-Threading: they excel in parallel tasks but lag in serial tasks.

The lack of a boost clock also means there is no transient performance spike. The processor runs at a constant 2.10 GHz under all conditions, which simplifies thermal management but also means that short bursts of activity cannot be accelerated. This is a notable contrast to many modern CPUs that feature dynamic frequency scaling. For users whose workloads are predominantly single-threaded, the i3-2310E will feel slower than its multi-core scores might suggest.

How It Compares

AMD Phenom II X3 B77 — The Phenom II X3 B77 has an identical average benchmark score of 539, with a deltaPct of 0%. This means the two processors are, on average, exactly equal in performance. The Phenom II is a triple-core part, but the i3-2310E's Hyper-Threading allows it to match the AMD chip's aggregate throughput. In multi-threaded workloads, the i3-2310E's four threads may give it an edge, but the benchmark data shows no measurable difference in overall performance.

Intel Core i3-4100E — The i3-4100E scores 540, which is 1 point higher than the i3-2310E, corresponding to a deltaPct of -0.2% for the i3-2310E. This indicates that the i3-4100E is slightly faster in aggregate. The 4100E is also a Sandy Bridge-era part, but it likely has a higher base clock or other enhancements. The difference is negligible in practice, but the data does show a marginal advantage for the 4100E.

Intel Celeron N4500 — The Celeron N4500 scores 538, with a deltaPct of +0.2% for the i3-2310E. This means the i3-2310E is 0.2% faster on average. The N4500 is a newer, low-power Celeron, but its dual-core design without Hyper-Threading puts it slightly behind the i3-2310E. The i3-2310E's extra threads and higher base clock likely contribute to this small lead.

Intel Core i3-2105 — The i3-2105 scores 537, with a deltaPct of +0.4% for the i3-2310E. This is the largest difference among the nearest rivals, yet still under half a percent. The i3-2105 is a desktop part, but its lower average score suggests that the i3-2310E's mobile-oriented design does not inherently handicap it in this benchmark suite. The i3-2310E holds a slight edge, but the practical difference is imperceptible.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Core i3-2310E is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture and uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which is a ball-grid array package. This form factor is typically soldered directly to the motherboard, meaning the processor is not user-replaceable. The chip is fabricated on a 32 nm process with 624 million transistors and a die size of 149 mm². It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, with no ECC capability. The integrated graphics is Intel HD 3000, which provides basic display output but no dedicated video memory.

The processor's production status is end-of-life, and its release date is January 31, 2011. The part number is SR077. The lack of a boost clock and the fixed 2.10 GHz base clock simplify power delivery and thermal design, which is consistent with the 35 W TDP. The memory controller supports DDR3 modules, but the exact speed or capacity is not specified in the data.

Upgrade path is limited by the BGA socket — there is no socket to swap a different CPU into. Users are effectively locked into the i3-2310E for the life of the motherboard. The end-of-life status also means that new units are no longer produced, so availability is limited to existing inventory or used markets. For embedded or industrial applications where a long production cycle is expected, the fixed specifications and low power draw may be beneficial, but the lack of an upgrade path is a significant constraint for general-purpose computing.