Intel Core i3-370M
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-370M Specifications
Core i3-370M Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-370M features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-370M Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-370M benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-370M by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-370M Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-370M processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-370M's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Westmere Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-370M is built on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-370M incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Westmere Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-370M by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-370M Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-370M has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 35W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket G1 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-370M uses the Intel Socket G1 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket G1 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-370M define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-370M determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-370M Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-370M includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-370M provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-370M Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-370M is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-370M by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-370M Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-370M performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-370M.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-370M.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-370M after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-370M maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i3-370M across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i3-370M can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i3-370M
The Intel Core i3-370M is a dual-core mobile processor from the Westmere generation, built on the Arrandale codename using Intel's 32 nm process node. It operates at a base clock of 2.40 GHz, supports 4 threads, and contains 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die. The data indicates a processor targeted at entry-level mobile computing, with benchmark scores placing it in the 4th percentile of all CPUs tested, an extremely low position in the current performance hierarchy.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark results for the Core i3-370M consistently show a processor at the bottom of modern performance charts. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the chip scores 993 points, while its single-core score is 140 points. The Cinebench R20 results are proportionally lower at 417 points multi-core and 58 points single-core. Across the Geekbench suite, the processor manages 630 points in multi-core and 314 points in single-core tests.
The average benchmark score across all tested workloads is 379 points, which places the i3-370M in the 4th percentile of all CPUs. This means the processor outperforms only 4% of the database's tested CPUs, a stark indicator of its age and entry-level positioning. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 100 points further confirms this trend, representing a baseline level of compute capability that modern software routinely exceeds.
What stands out in the data is the relationship between multi-core and single-core performance. The single-core score in Geekbench (314) is roughly half of the multi-core score (630), which is typical for a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading. However, the absolute numbers are low across the board. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 993 is barely above the 1000-point threshold that modern entry-level desktop chips often exceed in single-core tests alone, highlighting the significant generational gap between this 2010-era mobile part and contemporary hardware.
How It Compares
AMD A6-5350M: The nearest rival by average score is the AMD A6-5350M, with both processors achieving an average benchmark score of 379. The deltaPct between them is exactly 0%, indicating statistically identical performance. This is notable because the A6-5350M is a later-generation APU, yet the i3-370M matches it in overall compute throughput. The tie suggests that for general multi-threaded workloads, neither chip holds a meaningful advantage over the other.
AMD Athlon X2 450: The Athlon X2 450 sits just behind with an average score of 378, giving the i3-370M a 0.2% lead. This deltaPct is negligible in real-world terms, meaning the two processors are functionally interchangeable in benchmark performance. The Athlon X2 450 is a desktop part, while the i3-370M is mobile, so the comparison shows that the mobile chip can hold its own against a contemporary desktop dual-core.
Intel Celeron 1037U: The Celeron 1037U scores 377 on average, placing it 0.6% behind the i3-370M. Both are Intel mobile parts, but the Celeron is from a later generation. The small delta indicates that the i3-370M's dual-core design with Hyper-Threading provides a marginal edge over the Celeron's similarly dual-core configuration. This is one of the few comparisons where the older chip emerges slightly ahead.
Intel Core i5-2537M: The closest rival in terms of performance is the Core i5-2537M, which achieves an average score of 376, a 0.7% deficit relative to the i3-370M. This is counterintuitive given the i5 branding, but the data is clear: the i5-2537M, despite its higher-tier name, delivers slightly lower benchmark scores in this database. The i3-370M's 2.40 GHz base clock likely compensates for the i5's lower operating frequency in sustained workloads.
Platform and Compatibility
The Core i3-370M uses the Intel Socket G1, a mobile-specific socket that supports the Arrandale and Clarkdale processor families. The architecture is Westmere, which is a 32 nm die shrink of the earlier Nehalem design. The processor integrates a memory controller for DDR3 memory, though the specific memory bus width and bandwidth are not listed in the data. ECC memory is not supported, which is standard for consumer mobile processors.
PCIe support is limited to Gen 2, which was current for the 2010 timeframe but is now several generations behind. The integrated graphics capability is described as "On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)," meaning the graphics functionality depends on the chipset paired with the processor rather than being fully integrated into the CPU die. This is a notable distinction from later Intel processors where graphics are built directly into the package.
The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of June 19, 2010. The processor is not multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not a supported option. The 32 nm process node and 382 million transistor count are modest by modern standards, but they represent the state of the art for mobile computing in 2010. The die size of 81 mm² is small, which helped keep power consumption manageable in thin laptops.
FAQ
Q: What is the socket type for the Intel Core i3-370M?
A: The processor uses Intel Socket G1, a mobile-specific socket designed for Arrandale and Westmere generation processors.
Q: Does the Core i3-370M support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported by this processor.
Q: What is the process node and transistor count?
A: The processor is built on Intel's 32 nm process node and contains 382 million transistors.
Q: Is the Core i3-370M multiplier unlocked?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so user overclocking is not supported.
Q: What generation of PCIe does the processor support?
A: The processor supports PCIe Gen 2.
Q: What is the production status of this chip?
A: The Core i3-370M is end-of-life, having been released on June 19, 2010.
Power and Thermals
The Core i3-370M has a TDP of 35 watts, which classifies it as a standard-power mobile processor for its era. This TDP level is moderate for a 2010 laptop chip, allowing for dual-core operation at 2.40 GHz without requiring aggressive cooling solutions. The 32 nm process node helps keep power draw in check, but the 35-watt TDP still necessitates a capable cooling solution in a laptop chassis, typically a heat pipe and fan combination.
Given the 35-watt TDP, the i3-370M would require a cooling solution designed for mid-range mobile processors. The data does not specify cooler sizes or exact thermal requirements, but the TDP class implies that a thin-and-light laptop with passive cooling would not be sufficient. Laptops using this chip would need active cooling with a small fan, which was standard for 14-inch and 15-inch laptops of the 2010 era. The lack of a boost clock means the processor runs at a fixed 2.40 GHz, which simplifies thermal management since there are no transient power spikes from turbo behavior.
The integrated graphics being a chipset feature rather than a CPU component means the graphics processing unit does not contribute to the CPU's TDP directly. This keeps the thermal load focused on the CPU cores alone, which is a minor advantage for system designers. The end-of-life status means modern laptops do not use this processor, but for historical comparison, the 35-watt TDP is roughly double that of later ultra-low-voltage mobile chips, reflecting the less efficient 32 nm manufacturing process compared to modern nodes.
Who Should Consider It
The benchmark data positions the Core i3-370M as a processor suitable only for basic computing tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 993 and single-core score of 140 suggest that modern multi-threaded applications will run slowly, if at all. For gaming, the integrated graphics are minimal, and the CPU scores are far below what modern games require, making this chip unsuitable for any contemporary gaming workload. The 4th percentile ranking across all CPUs confirms that it is among the slowest processors in the database.
For office productivity, the Geekbench multi-core score of 630 indicates that basic word processing and spreadsheet tasks would function, but performance would feel sluggish with modern software that expects more capable hardware. The Cinebench R20 single-core score of 58 is particularly low, meaning even simple single-threaded tasks like web browsing with heavy JavaScript would struggle. The processor is best suited for legacy applications or as a secondary machine for lightweight tasks like text editing or email.
Content creation workloads are entirely out of reach for this processor. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 100 points is a fraction of what modern processors achieve, and video editing, 3D rendering, or photo processing would be impractically slow. The dual-core design with 4 threads and no boost clock means there is no headroom for demanding workloads. The processor might find a use in embedded systems or as a replacement part for old laptops, but the data shows it is not a viable option for any performance-sensitive application. The only consideration is for users who need to maintain a vintage 2010-era laptop for compatibility with legacy software that does not require significant processing power.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i3-370M
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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