Core i5-3320M vs Core i3-3250T

Core i5-3320M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

Core i3-3250T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3320M

2 / 4

2,660

+0.4%

Core Duo T2400

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,650

0.0%

Celeron N2810

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 i5-3320M is positioned at rank 65 and the Core i3-3250T is on rank 811, so the Core i5-3320M 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 i5-3320M

#14

Ryzen 5 PRO 230

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

94%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

90%

#53

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

221%

#54

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

217%

#55

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

200%

#56

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

199%

#57

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

197%

#59

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

190%

#60

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

182%

#61

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

182%

#62

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

177%

#65

Core i5-3320M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#66

Core i7-4510U

MSRP: $393|Avg: N/A

99%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

97%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

94%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3250T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16235%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15341%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11139%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3356%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2658%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2325%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1332%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1314%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1197%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1197%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1183%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1151%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1135%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1131%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1120%

#811

Core i3-3250T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

100%

#812

Core i5-5575R

MSRP: $265|Avg: $50

100%

#814

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

99%

#815

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

99%

#816

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

98%

#817

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

98%

#818

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

98%

#819

Core i5-7400

MSRP: $294|Avg: $70

97%

#820

Pentium E5800

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

97%

#821

Core i7-6820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $344

97%

#822

A6-9500

MSRP: $101|Avg: $25

97%

#823

Pentium G2120T

MSRP: $87|Avg: $10

97%

#824

Athlon II X2 270

MSRP: $72|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3320M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-3250T in both compute-intensive tasks (0.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3320M	Core i3-3250T
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($15)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core i3-3250T holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $15 (vs $225), it costs 93% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 1394% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-3320M.

Insight	Core i5-3320M	Core i3-3250T
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1394%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($15)

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 i5-3320M Benchmark Check

Core i3-3250T Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3320M and Core i3-3250T

Core i5-3320M

The Core i5-3320M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3320M and Core i3-3250T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3320M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the Core i3-3250T's 2,650 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3320M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Core i3-3250T
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,660	2,650

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3250T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i5-3320M versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3250T — the Core i5-3320M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3320M) and H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Core i3-3250T).

Feature	Core i5-3320M	Core i3-3250T
Socket	PGA988	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+53233%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32	32 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-3320M) / not specified (Core i3-3250T). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3320M) and Intel HD Graphics 2500 (Core i3-3250T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.