Core i5-3360M
VS
Core i7-3520M

Core i5-3360M vs Core i7-3520M

Intel

Core i5-3360M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i7-3520M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-3360M is positioned at rank 183 and the Core i7-3520M is on rank 1127, so the Core i5-3360M 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 i5-3360M

#49
Core i9-12900HX
MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A
100%
#170
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
355%
#171
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
350%
#172
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
321%
#173
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
320%
#174
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
317%
#176
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
306%
#177
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
293%
#178
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
293%
#179
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
285%
#183
Core i5-3360M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#192
Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A
98%
#194
Atom N475
MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3520M

#1113
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3574%
#1114
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3521%
#1115
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3233%
#1116
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3218%
#1117
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3189%
#1119
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3079%
#1120
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2952%
#1121
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2948%
#1122
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2868%
#1125
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
100%
#1126
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
100%
#1127
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
100%
#1128
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
100%
#1129
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
100%
#1130
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1132
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
99%
#1133
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
95%
#1134
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
95%
#1135
Core i3-2340UE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
94%
#1136
Core i7-2820QM
MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A
94%
#1137
Core i5-520M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
94%
#1139
Celeron 807
MSRP: $70|Avg: $10
93%
#1140
Pentium B950
MSRP: $134|Avg: $35
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3520M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3360M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.7% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-3360MCore i7-3520M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-3360MCore i7-3520M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3360M and Core i7-3520M

Intel

Core i5-3360M

The Core i5-3360M 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: 2,892 points. Launch price was $266.

Intel

Core i7-3520M

The Core i7-3520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3360M and Core i7-3520M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3360M versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3360M scores 2,892 against the Core i7-3520M's 2,842 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-3360M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3360M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3520M.

FeatureCore i5-3360MCore i7-3520M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
2.9 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,892+2%
2,842
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to 1600 memory speed. 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 i5-3360M) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3520M).

FeatureCore i5-3360MCore i7-3520M
Socket
PGA988
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
1600
1600
Max RAM Capacity
32
32
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3360M) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3520M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3360M rivals AMD A10-4600M; Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.

FeatureCore i5-3360MCore i7-3520M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
true