Core i3-4360 vs Core i5-2310

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.

Core i3-4360 vs Core i5-2310 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-4360 vs Core i5-2310: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-4360

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,639 vs 3,664).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-2310

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4360 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Core i3-4360 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4360 better than Core i5-2310?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4360 is ahead with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2310 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i5-2310 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2310 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4360 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4360 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2310 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4360 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4360 vs Core i5-2310 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-4360

The Core i3-4360 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,639 points. Launch price was $352.

Core i5-2310

The Core i5-2310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,664 points. Launch price was $150.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4360 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2310 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2310 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4360 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2310 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-4360 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i3-4360 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2310 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4360 scores 3,639 against the Core i5-2310's 3,664 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2310. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,128 vs 565, a 66.5% lead for the Core i3-4360 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4360 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2310.

Feature	Core i3-4360	Core i5-2310
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+28%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,639	3,664
Geekbench 6 Single	1,128+100%	565
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,740

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4360 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2310 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4360 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2310 — the Core i3-4360 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4360) and H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2310).

Feature	Core i3-4360	Core i5-2310
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4360) vs Yes (Core i5-2310). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4360) and Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2310) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4360 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4360 rivals Core i3-6100.