Intel Core i5-3317U

The Intel Core i5-3317U is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor from the Ivy Bridge generation, released on May 31, 2012. It operates at a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz, with a 17W TDP and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. In the benchmark database, it holds a 13th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 595.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 595 places the i5-3317U at the 13th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms only 13% of the processors in the database. This is a low overall standing, but the chip is not alone: its four nearest rivals—the Intel Core i7-620M, Intel Xeon X5355, Intel Xeon E5410, and Intel Core M-5Y51—all average 594 points, with delta percentages of 0.1% to 0.3%. In practical terms, the i5-3317U is statistically tied with these parts, all of which are older or low-power designs.

Looking at individual workloads, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 1712, while the single-core score is 241. The ratio of multi-core to single-core is about 7.1x, which seems large, but that reflects the very low absolute single-core result rather than strong scaling. In Geekbench, the multi-core score is 816 and the single-core score is 405, a ratio of just over 2.0x—more typical for a dual-core, four-thread part. The Cinebench R20 results follow a similar pattern: multi-core 719, single-core 101, and the older R15 multi-core score is 172.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the i5-3317U’s performance is essentially identical. The delta percentages of 0.1% to 0.3% are within measurement noise, so the chip does not offer any meaningful advantage over the i7-620M, Xeon X5355, Xeon E5410, or Core M-5Y51 in average score. The 13th percentile ranking underscores that this is a low-end processor by modern standards, but its position relative to those specific rivals indicates that it is on par with other ultra-low-power or older mobile parts.

Who Should Consider It

The i5-3317U is a mobile chip designed for thin and light laptops, and its benchmark scores reflect that positioning. For gaming, the integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics and modest CPU performance—especially the low single-core scores (Cinebench R23 single-core 241, Geekbench single-core 405)—make it unsuitable for anything beyond very light, casual titles. The multi-core scores (Cinebench R23 1712, Geekbench 816) are also far too low for content creation tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, which demand more cores and higher throughput.

Where the i5-3317U fits is in everyday productivity: web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and email. The 17W TDP and dual-core design are adequate for these workloads, and the boost clock of 2.60 GHz provides a modest single-thread boost that helps with responsive UI interaction. The 13th percentile ranking means it will struggle with any task that pushes multiple cores simultaneously, but for a typical office workload, the chip is serviceable. It is also a reasonable choice for a secondary or travel laptop where battery life and low heat are priorities over performance.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is revealing. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 241 is very low, while the multi-core score of 1712 is only about seven times that—but because the single-core baseline is so weak, the multi-core result still places the chip in the bottom quartile of the database. In Geekbench, the single-core score of 405 and multi-core score of 816 show a more typical 2.0x scaling, which is expected for a 2-core/4-thread processor with a boost clock of 2.60 GHz. The 3MB shared L3 cache and 22nm process do not compensate for the limited core count.

The practical implication is that the i5-3317U handles single-threaded tasks—like opening applications or scrolling through a document—with reasonable responsiveness, thanks to the boost clock. However, any workload that utilizes all four threads, such as compiling code or batch photo processing, will quickly saturate the chip. The multi-thread scores are only marginally higher than the single-thread scores in relative terms, indicating that the processor does not scale well with parallel workloads. This is a fundamental limitation of the dual-core design, not a quirk of a particular benchmark.

FAQ

Q: What is the release date of the Intel Core i5-3317U?

A: It was released on May 31, 2012.

Q: What socket does the i5-3317U use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which is a ball-grid-array package typically soldered to the motherboard.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 17 watts, classifying it as an ultra-low-power mobile chip.

Q: Does the i5-3317U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

Q: How does the i5-3317U compare to the Intel Core i7-620M?

A: The average benchmark scores are within 0.1% of each other (595 vs. 594), so they perform essentially identically in aggregate.

Q: What is the process node and cache configuration?

A: It is built on a 22nm process. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB per core, and L3 is 3 MB shared.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 17 watts, the i5-3317U is firmly in the ultra-low-power class. This TDP allows for passive cooling in some chassis or a very small, quiet fan in others. The 22nm Ivy Bridge process is a key contributor to this low power draw, as it reduces leakage and switching losses compared to older nodes. The chip’s die size is 118 mm², which is relatively small, further aiding in thermal management.

The 17W figure implies that a simple heat pipe and a low-profile heatsink are sufficient to keep the processor within its thermal limits. Because the chip is soldered (BGA 1023), it is not designed for user replacement or upgrading, so the cooling solution is fixed by the laptop manufacturer. The integrated HD 4000 GPU also shares the same thermal budget, meaning that sustained GPU activity will consume part of the 17W envelope. In practice, the i5-3317U is best suited for devices that prioritize battery life and silent operation over peak performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3317U is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture and uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, which is a ball-grid-array package. This means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, making it non-upgradeable. The chip supports dual-channel memory, though the specific memory type is not listed in the available data. It does not support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000, which is sufficient for basic display output and video playback but not for demanding 3D workloads. No PCIe specifications are provided in the data, so the expansion capabilities cannot be quantified. The market segment is clearly mobile, and the release date of May 31, 2012 places it in the second-generation Core i5 lineup.

Because the processor is soldered, the upgrade path is essentially nonexistent—any system using this chip would require a full motherboard replacement to move to a different CPU. The platform is therefore a closed design, typical of ultraportable laptops from that era. For users who need more performance, the only option is to choose a different laptop altogether. The 17W TDP and BGA packaging make it a poor candidate for desktop adaptation, and the lack of PCIe data further limits its versatility. Overall, the i5-3317U is a fixed, low-power component designed for a specific class of thin-and-light notebooks.