Core i3-3217U vs Core i3-2310M

Core i3-3217U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012

Core i3-2310M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3217U

2 / 4

1,226

+0.3%

1,222

0.0%

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 i3-3217U is positioned at rank 684 and the Core i3-2310M is on rank 1032, so the Core i3-3217U 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 i3-3217U

#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 Per Dollar Core i3-2310M

#1019

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2401%

#1020

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2366%

#1021

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2172%

#1022

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2162%

#1023

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2142%

#1025

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2069%

#1026

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1984%

#1027

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1980%

#1028

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1927%

#1031

Core i5-4400E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $50

100%

#1032

Core i3-2310M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1033

Pentium Dual Core T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

98%

#1036

Core i7-8665UE

MSRP: $409|Avg: $409

97%

#1037

Celeron T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1038

Celeron Dual-Core T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $30

96%

#1041

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

95%

#1042

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

95%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

94%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

94%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

94%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-2310M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-3217U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-3217U	Core i3-2310M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-3217U	Core i3-2310M
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.

Core i3-3217U Benchmark Check

Core i3-2310M Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3217U and Core i3-2310M

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.

Core i3-2310M

The Core i3-2310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 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: 1,222 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3217U and Core i3-2310M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core i3-3217U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310M — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-2310M (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i3-3217U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-2310M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3217U scores 1,226 against the Core i3-2310M's 1,222 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-3217U. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-3217U	Core i3-2310M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	2.1 GHz+17%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.1 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,226	1,222
Geekbench 6 Single	—	350
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	658

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3217U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2310M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i3-3217U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2310M — 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: HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i3-3217U) and Sandy Bridge (Core i3-2310M).

Feature	Core i3-3217U	Core i3-2310M
Socket	BGA1023	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+53233%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32	16 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i3-3217U) vs VT-x (Core i3-2310M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3217U) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2310M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2310M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3217U rivals AMD A6-4455M; Core i3-2310M rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.