Core i3-2328M
VS
Core i3-3217U

Core i3-2328M vs Core i3-3217U

Intel

Core i3-2328M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i3-3217U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012

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 i3-2328M is positioned at rank 76 and the Core i3-3217U is on rank 684, so the Core i3-2328M 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 i3-2328M

#18
Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP: $179|Avg: $150
97%
#64
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
238%
#65
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
234%
#66
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
215%
#67
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
214%
#68
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
212%
#70
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
205%
#71
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
196%
#72
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
196%
#73
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
191%
#76
Core i3-2328M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#79
Atom D2500
MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A
98%
#88
Core 2 Duo T7500
MSRP: $316|Avg: $5
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217U

#672
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
957%
#673
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
943%
#674
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
866%
#675
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
862%
#676
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
854%
#678
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
825%
#679
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
791%
#680
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
790%
#681
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
768%
#684
Core i3-3217U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#695
Processor N95
MSRP: $160|Avg: $80
98%
#699
Athlon Silver 3050e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-2328M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-3217U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.7% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-2328MCore i3-3217U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-2328MCore i3-3217U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

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 i3-2328M and Core i3-3217U

Intel

Core i3-2328M

The Core i3-2328M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,234 points. Launch price was $225.

Intel

Core i3-3217U

The Core i3-3217U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,226 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2328M and Core i3-3217U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2328M versus 1.8 GHz on the Core i3-3217U — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i3-2328M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i3-2328M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3217U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2328M scores 1,234 against the Core i3-3217U's 1,226 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-2328M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i3-2328MCore i3-3217U
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz+22%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.2 GHz+22%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
22 nm-31%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,234
1,226
Geekbench 6 Single
329
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2328M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3217U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2328M versus 1600 on the Core i3-3217U — the Core i3-3217U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3217U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,HM75,HM76,HM77 (Core i3-2328M) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i3-3217U).

FeatureCore i3-2328MCore i3-3217U
Socket
PGA988
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+52428700%
32
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2328M) vs true (Core i3-3217U). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2328M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3217U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2328M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2328M rivals Pentium B980; Core i3-3217U rivals AMD A6-4455M.

FeatureCore i3-2328MCore i3-3217U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
true
Target Use
Budget Laptop