Intel Core i5-2380P

The Intel Core i5-2380P is a desktop processor built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, released in January 2012. It packs four physical cores with no hyper-threading, a base clock of 3.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. With a 95 W TDP, it targets mainstream desktop builds, but its lack of integrated graphics means a discrete GPU is mandatory. In the benchmark database, this chip sits at the 29th percentile across all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1063. That places it in the lower half of modern processors, but its real-world behavior depends heavily on workload type, as the following sections explore.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench results paint a clear picture of the i5-2380P’s compute capability. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 311; in R20 multi-core, 1297; and in R23 multi-core, 3090. These numbers are modest by current standards, but they show a consistent scaling pattern across versions. The R23 multi-core score of 3090, for instance, is about 2.4 times the R20 multi-core score of 1297, which is a typical generation-over-generation gain for Cinebench’s workload. Single-core scores follow a similar trend: R20 single-core is 183, and R23 single-core is 436. The gap between multi-core and single-core scores is substantial, the R23 multi-core result is roughly seven times the single-core figure, though exact ratios are not part of the data.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the i5-2380P’s average score of 1063 is effectively identical to the Intel Core i7-2675QM (1063, 0% delta), a mobile quad-core chip. It trails the Intel Xeon W3580 by a mere 0.1% (1064 vs. 1063), and the Intel Core i3-6300 by 0.2% (1065 vs. 1063). On the other side, it leads the AMD Opteron 4376 HE by 0.2% (1061 vs. 1063). These deltas are within noise, meaning the i5-2380P is statistically tied with all four rivals in the aggregate benchmark suite. However, the aggregate score masks workload-specific differences, the i5-2380P’s four physical cores without SMT behave differently from hyper-threaded parts like the i7-2675QM or the i3-6300 in certain tasks.

The 29th percentile ranking indicates that the i5-2380P outperforms only 29% of all CPUs in the database. This is a low position, but it reflects the chip’s age and architecture. For a 2012 desktop part, the scores are respectable, but they do not compete with modern mid-range or high-end processors. The data suggests that the i5-2380P is best suited for legacy workloads or as a secondary machine, not for demanding contemporary applications.

Power and Thermals

The i5-2380P carries a TDP of 95 W, which is a moderate power draw for a desktop CPU. This figure places it in the same thermal class as many mainstream quad-core processors from its generation. The 32 nm process node, manufactured by Intel, contributes to this power envelope; while 32 nm is large by today’s standards, it was a leading-edge process at launch. The die size of 216 mm² and a transistor count of 1,160 million are indicative of a mid-sized chip, not a high-end enthusiast part.

Because the CPU lacks integrated graphics, all of the 95 W budget is available for the processor cores. This simplifies cooling requirements, a standard air cooler should suffice for most users, though the exact cooler specifications are not in the data. The lack of an iGPU also means that the platform requires a separate graphics card, which adds to the system’s overall power consumption but keeps the CPU’s thermal output predictable. The 95 W TDP is neither particularly low nor high; it is a typical figure for a desktop quad-core of that era, and the data does not suggest any unusual thermal behavior.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread scores reveals the i5-2380P’s strengths and weaknesses. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 436, while the multi-core score is 3090. This ratio, though not explicitly calculated in the data, implies that the four cores scale well in parallel workloads, a common trait for physically present cores without SMT. The absence of hyper-threading means that each core is a full execution unit, which can be beneficial for certain multi-threaded tasks that do not benefit from logical threads.

However, the single-core performance is notably low. The R23 single-core score of 436 is far below what modern CPUs achieve, and even the R20 single-core score of 183 is modest. This indicates that applications relying heavily on a single thread, such as many older games, some productivity tools, and certain web browsers, will see limited performance. The i5-2380P’s boost clock of 3.40 GHz helps in short bursts, but the architecture’s IPC (instructions per clock) is simply not competitive with newer designs. For workloads that are well-parallelized, the four cores can deliver reasonable throughput, as the multi-core scores suggest, but the single-thread bottleneck will be the limiting factor in mixed-use scenarios.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-2380P is built for the Intel Socket 1155 platform. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is sufficient for a single discrete graphics card or a couple of NVMe drives, though the latter would require an adapter. The lack of integrated graphics means that a GPU is mandatory, and the 16 lanes are dedicated to that purpose.

The socket 1155 platform is from the Sandy Bridge era, and the CPU’s part number is SR0G2. The memory controller supports DDR3, which is an older standard compared to current DDR4/DDR5, but it is adequate for the chip’s performance class. The PCIe Gen 3 support is a notable feature, as it was a new standard at the time, and it allows for reasonable bandwidth with modern GPUs, though the CPU’s overall performance will still be the bottleneck in many scenarios. The platform’s upgrade path is limited to other Socket 1155 processors, but the data does not specify which models are compatible, so we cannot comment on specific alternatives.

Who Should Consider It

Given the benchmark results, the i5-2380P is not a good fit for modern gaming. The single-thread scores are too low for CPU-intensive titles, and the lack of SMT means that even multi-threaded games will not see the benefit of additional logical cores. For office productivity, word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing, the chip is adequate, as these tasks are not particularly demanding and the four cores can handle typical multitasking. However, the 29th percentile ranking suggests that even in this category, newer budget CPUs would outperform it.

For content creation, the picture is mixed. Video rendering and 3D modeling software that can utilize multiple cores will see reasonable performance, as the R23 multi-core score of 3090 demonstrates. But the absence of hyper-threading and the low single-core speed will hamper tasks like photo editing or code compilation, which often rely on single-thread performance. The i5-2380P could serve as a secondary rendering node or a low-cost server for parallel workloads, but it is not a primary workstation CPU. In summary, this chip is best suited for legacy systems, basic office use, or as a budget part for users who already own a Socket 1155 motherboard and a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-2380P support ECC memory?

A: No, the FACT PACK lists ECC memory as false. The CPU only supports non-ECC DDR3.

Q: Does the i5-2380P have integrated graphics?

A: No, the integrated graphics field is null, meaning the chip has no iGPU. A discrete graphics card is required.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of this processor?

A: The TDP is 95 W, as stated in the FACT PACK.

Q: What socket does the i5-2380P use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1155.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The FACT PACK lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the process node of the i5-2380P?

A: The CPU is built on Intel’s 32 nm process, as indicated in the FACT PACK.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-2675QM: The i7-2675QM has an identical average benchmark score of 1063, with a delta of 0%. This means the two processors perform equally in the aggregate, despite the i7 being a mobile part. The i7-2675QM likely has hyper-threading and a lower TDP, but those details are not in the data; the scores show parity.

Intel Xeon W3580: The Xeon W3580 scores 1064, which is 0.1% higher than the i5-2380P. This delta is negligible, placing the two chips in the same performance tier. The Xeon is a workstation-oriented part, but the benchmark aggregate does not differentiate.

AMD Opteron 4376 HE: The Opteron 4376 HE scores 1061, which is 0.2% lower than the i5-2380P. The i5-2380P is marginally faster in the aggregate, but the difference is within measurement error. Both are older server/desktop parts.

Intel Core i3-6300: The i3-6300 scores 1065, which is 0.2% higher than the i5-2380P. Despite being a dual-core with hyper-threading (though not stated), the i3-6300 edges out the i5-2380P in the average benchmark. This suggests that newer architecture and SMT can compensate for fewer physical cores.