Intel Core i5-3340M vs Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300 vs Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100

Intel Core i5-3340M

The Intel Core i5-3340M is a fast dual-core processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 2.7 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.4 GHz (for 1 active core). As its predecessor Core i5-3320M, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i5-3340M is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is above the old i7-2640M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1250 MHz with Turbo Boost, making it one of the faster variants.

Just like most other Ivy Bridge dual-cores, the i5-3340M is rated at a TDP of 35 W. Therefore, even smaller laptops can use the Core i5.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300

Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100

The Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 is the fastest dual-core CPU of the Core 2 series for laptops. As all Core 2 Extreme CPUs it offers an unlocked multiplicator and is therefore easy to overclock (usually in the BIOS). The X9100 was later substituted by the Core 2 Duo T9900 with the same clock rate but a cheaper price tag. The T9900 offers a better TDP of 35 Watt but has a fixed multiplicator (only drawback). Futhermore, the T9900 offers some newer features as Turbo Boost and C1E state.

Due to the high clock rate of 3 GHz, the Core 2 Extreme X9100 offers enough performance for all games and applications in 2009 and possibly also 2010. In most applications (escpecially most games), it is faster than the low clocked Core 2 Quad CPUs (like Q9000, QX9300). Modern Core i7 CPUs with high Turbo frequencies are the only CPUs that are faster than the X9100 on average.

The X9100 uses a Penryn core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.

The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically as low as 800 MHz to save power (in idle mode).

The Core 2 Duo X9100 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins.