Core i3-2312M
VS
A4-3310MX

Core i3-2312M vs A4-3310MX

Intel

Core i3-2312M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011
VS
AMD

A4-3310MX

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-2312M is positioned at rank 1200 and the A4-3310MX is on rank 887, so the A4-3310MX offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2312M

#1188
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
5557%
#1189
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
5475%
#1190
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5027%
#1191
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5004%
#1192
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4958%
#1194
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4788%
#1195
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4591%
#1196
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4583%
#1197
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4460%
#1200
Core i3-2312M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#1201
Celeron 857
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
100%
#1202
Celeron 925
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
99%
#1203
Core 2 Duo U7700
MSRP: $262|Avg: $10
97%
#1204
Core 2 Duo E8135
MSRP: $200|Avg: $15
97%
#1205
Core Duo T2400
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
96%
#1206
Core 2 Duo U7600
MSRP: $250|Avg: $5
96%
#1207
Pentium M 735
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
94%
#1208
Core i7-620LM
MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A
92%
#1209
Core i7-740QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
92%
#1211
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
90%
#1212
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
90%
#1213
Celeron U3600
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
88%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A4-3310MX

#875
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1480%
#876
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1458%
#877
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1338%
#878
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1332%
#879
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1320%
#881
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1275%
#882
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1222%
#883
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1220%
#884
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1188%
#887
A4-3310MX
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#889
Core i7-7820EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
100%
#890
Celeron 7305
MSRP: $128|Avg: $107
99%
#891
E-300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $20
99%
#892
Core i7-7820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
99%
#895
Pentium B940
MSRP: $134|Avg: $11
98%
#896
Core i5-8305G
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
98%
#897
Celeron 6305
MSRP: $107|Avg: $80
98%
#900
Core i7-8705G
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
96%
#902
Pentium Dual Core T2410
MSRP: $100|Avg: $100
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The A4-3310MX delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-2312M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-2312MA4-3310MX
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-2312MA4-3310MX
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2312M and A4-3310MX

Intel

Core i3-2312M

The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.

AMD

A4-3310MX

The A4-3310MX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,190 points. Launch price was $50.

Processing Power

The Core i3-2312M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the A4-3310MX's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M versus 2.5 GHz on the A4-3310MX — a 17.4% clock advantage for the A4-3310MX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-2312M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A4-3310MX uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2312M scores 1,189 against the A4-3310MX's 1,190 — a 0.1% lead for the A4-3310MX. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2312M vs 0 kB on the A4-3310MX.

FeatureCore i3-2312MA4-3310MX
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.1 GHz
2.5 GHz+19%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1 MB (per core)+300%
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Llano (2011−2012)
PassMark
1,189
1,190
Geekbench 6 Single
273
Geekbench 6 Multi
731
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2312M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A4-3310MX uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i3-2312M versus DDR3-1333 on the A4-3310MX — the Core i3-2312M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCore i3-2312MA4-3310MX
Socket
PGA988
FS1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1333+44333%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16
16 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-2312M) vs AMD-V (A4-3310MX). Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2312M) and Radeon HD 6480G (A4-3310MX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3310MX targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A4-3310MX rivals Pentium B960.

FeatureCore i3-2312MA4-3310MX
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Radeon HD 6480G
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Laptop