Intel Core i5-3340M

The Intel Core i5-3340M is a dual-core mobile processor from Intel's Ivy Bridge generation, built on a 22 nm process and released at the end of 2012. It operates at a base clock of 2.70 GHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, supports four threads via Hyper-Threading, and integrates Intel HD 4000 graphics. With an average benchmark score of 787 and a 20th percentile ranking among all CPUs, this chip sits at the low end of the performance spectrum, yet its nearest rivals are all within a single percentage point—making it a representative sample of a tightly packed entry-level mobile tier.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data shows a processor that is consistently modest across every workload. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score reaches 2281 points, while the single-core score is 322 points. Geekbench results are similarly restrained: 1057 multi-core and 526 single-core. These numbers, when compared against the average score of 787, place the i5-3340M in the 20th percentile of all CPUs—meaning roughly four out of five processors outperform it.

The nearest rival comparison underscores how narrow the performance gap is. Against the AMD Opteron 3350 HE, the i5-3340M is 0.3% slower, a difference of just 2 points in average score (789 vs. 787). The Intel Celeron G5900 trails by 0.5% (783 vs. 787), while the Intel Pentium G4520 is 0.8% behind (781 vs. 787). On the other side, the AMD A10-5800B leads by 0.8% (794 vs. 787). These deltas are so small that they fall within run-to-run variance; in practical terms, the i5-3340M is statistically indistinguishable from its immediate competitors. The data suggests a performance plateau where no single part in this cluster has a meaningful advantage.

Looking at the individual tests, the multi-core scores are proportionally higher than single-core—Cinebench R23 multi-core is roughly 7 times the single-core figure. This is typical for a 2-core/4-thread design where the multi-core test scales with thread count, but the absolute values remain low. For reference, the Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 229 and R20 multi-core of 958 reinforce the same story: the processor can handle light parallel work, but it is not built for heavy compute.

Power and Thermals

The i5-3340M carries a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 watts. This is a mainstream mobile TDP, commonly found in thin-and-light laptops and ultrabooks of its era. A 35W part requires a modest cooling solution—typically a single heat pipe and a small fan—which is well within the capability of standard laptop thermal designs. The 22 nm process node helps keep power dissipation manageable, and the 118 mm² die size indicates a relatively compact chip. Because the TDP is not extreme, the processor can sustain its boost clock of 3.40 GHz under light loads without excessive thermal throttling, though sustained all-core loads may cause the clock to drop slightly. The data does not include specific power consumption figures, but the TDP class implies that a capable air cooler—or the standard cooling in a laptop chassis—is sufficient.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3340M uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket, a ball-grid-array package that is soldered directly to the motherboard. This is a mobile-only design, as confirmed by the market segment field. The processor supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC capability. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000, which provides basic display output and hardware acceleration for video playback. The fact pack does not list PCIe details, so no conclusions can be drawn about expansion slots or discrete GPU support beyond what the platform inherently provides.

Upgrade path is severely limited. Because the CPU is mounted via BGA, it cannot be removed or replaced without specialized equipment. Any performance improvement would require replacing the entire motherboard or the whole laptop. The socket and mobile segment together indicate a closed platform, typical of ultraportable designs where the processor is chosen at manufacturing time and not meant to be user-serviceable. The processor is also multiplier-unlocked, meaning overclocking is not an option, further reinforcing its status as a fixed, low-power component.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core i5-3340M?

A: The TDP is 35 watts.

Q: What socket does the i5-3340M use?

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

Q: Does the i5-3340M support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i5-3340M include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4000 graphics.

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the i5-3340M?

A: The average benchmark score is 787, placing it in the 20th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the release date of the i5-3340M?

A: It was released on December 31, 2012.

How It Compares

The AMD Opteron 3350 HE is the closest rival, with an average score of 789 against the i5-3340M's 787. The i5-3340M is 0.3% slower, a negligible margin that places both chips in the same performance class. The Opteron is a server-oriented part, but its benchmark results align closely with this mobile dual-core.

The Intel Celeron G5900, a desktop entry-level chip, scores 783, meaning the i5-3340M is 0.5% faster. The delta is small, but it shows that the older mobile processor can hold its own against a newer budget desktop part in average performance.

The Intel Pentium G4520 scores 781, with the i5-3340M leading by 0.8%. Again, the difference is within a single percentage point, making the two effectively equivalent in real-world use.

The AMD A10-5800B, a desktop APU, scores 794, giving it a 0.8% lead over the i5-3340M. The A10's higher average score is the largest gap in this group, yet it remains too small to be perceptible in most applications.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark scores indicate that the i5-3340M is suited for basic productivity tasks. With a Geekbench multi-core score of 1057 and a single-core score of 526, it can handle web browsing, word processing, spreadsheet work, and email without difficulty. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2281 suggests it can manage light photo editing or video playback, but it is not designed for heavy 3D rendering or video encoding. The integrated HD 4000 graphics are sufficient for office applications and streaming video, but not for modern games or GPU-accelerated workloads. Given its 20th percentile ranking, it is a good fit for users whose primary needs are everyday computing and who do not demand high performance. It is not recommended for content creation, scientific computing, or any task that relies heavily on multi-threaded performance, as the absolute scores are low even compared to its immediate rivals.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals a processor that scales reasonably well with added threads, but from a low baseline. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 322, while the multi-core score jumps to 2281—a factor of about 7. This scaling is typical for a 2-core/4-thread part, where the multi-core test can utilize all four threads, effectively doubling the throughput over single-thread execution. However, the single-core score itself is modest, indicating that the Ivy Bridge architecture's per-core performance is not competitive with newer designs. The Geekbench results show a similar pattern: 526 single-core versus 1057 multi-core, roughly a 2x difference, which aligns with the core/thread count.

For real-world workloads, this means that applications that are heavily single-threaded—such as legacy software, certain productivity tools, or light scripting—will see limited performance. Conversely, tasks that can leverage multiple threads, like file compression or parallel rendering, will benefit from the hyper-threading capability, though the absolute performance ceiling remains low. The data suggests that the i5-3340M is best suited for mixed workloads that occasionally use multiple cores, rather than sustained heavy multi-threading. The 3.40 GHz boost clock helps single-thread responsiveness, but the architecture's age keeps it firmly in the entry-level category.