Core i5-2380P vs Core i5-7300U

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 i5-2380P vs Core i5-7300U 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 i5-2380P vs Core i5-7300U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2380P

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7300U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Core i5-7300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7300U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7300U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Core i5-2380P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,631 vs 3,636).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2380P.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7300U better than Core i5-2380P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7300U is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2380P pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-2380P also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2380P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-7300U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7300U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2380P only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2380P vs Core i5-7300U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2380P

The Core i5-2380P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (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: 3,636 points. Launch price was $180.

Core i5-7300U

The Core i5-7300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2380P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-7300U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2380P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-2380P versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300U — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7300U (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-2380P uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-7300U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2380P scores 3,636 against the Core i5-7300U's 3,631 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2380P. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2380P vs 3 MB on the Core i5-7300U.

Feature	Core i5-2380P	Core i5-7300U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,636	3,631
Geekbench 6 Single	624	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2380P uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-7300U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2380P versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7300U — the Core i5-7300U supports 60% 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2380P) vs 12 (Core i5-7300U) — the Core i5-2380P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-2380P	Core i5-7300U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133+60%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-2380P) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7300U). The Core i5-7300U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i5-2380P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2380P targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-7300U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-2380P rivals FX-4100.