Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-3340

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 i3-8109U vs Core i5-3340 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 i3-8109U vs Core i5-3340: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 77W, a 49W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 655, while Core i5-3340 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,184 vs 4,249).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3340

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌175% higher power demand at 77W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8109U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than Core i5-3340?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8109U is ahead with a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3340 pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. Core i5-3340 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 i5-3340 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% 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 i3-8109U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8109U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3340 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8109U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-3340 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i5-3340

The Core i5-3340 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2013 (12 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,249 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3340 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3340 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3340 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8109U (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-8109U is built on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i5-3340's 4,249 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-3340. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-3340.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-3340
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	—
PassMark	4,184	4,249+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3340 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-3340
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8109U) / not specified (Core i5-3340). The Core i3-8109U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 655), while the Core i5-3340 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.