Core i5-3380M vs Core i5-4308U

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 i5-3380M vs Core i5-4308U 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 i5-3380M vs Core i5-4308U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3380M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,938 vs 2,978).

Core i5-4308U

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3380M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4308U better than Core i5-3380M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3380M is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4308U pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4308U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4308U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4308U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-4308U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3380M vs Core i5-4308U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3380M

The Core i5-3380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 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: 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: 2,938 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-4308U

The Core i5-4308U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,978 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3380M and Core i5-4308U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3380M versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4308U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3380M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3380M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4308U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3380M scores 2,938 against the Core i5-4308U's 2,978 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-4308U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3380M vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4308U.

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Core i5-4308U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+4%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,938	2,978+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	700	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4308U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3380M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3380M) vs 12 (Core i5-4308U) — the Core i5-3380M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Core i5-4308U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3380M) and Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4308U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3380M targets Business Laptop, Core i5-4308U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-3380M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Core i5-4308U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Iris Graphics 5100
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Business Laptop	Mobile