CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3337U vs Intel Core i7-3667U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3337U is an ultra-low voltage mobile processor designed for thin-and-light laptops and ultrabooks. Released in early 2013, it is part of the Ivy Bridge family and built on a 22-nanometer process. Featuring two cores and four threads, it operates at a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and can boost up to 2.8 GHz. The defining characteristic of this processor is its remarkably low 17-watt thermal design power, which allows it to function in fanless or minimally cooled chassis. It includes 3 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4000, clocked at 350 MHz with a max dynamic frequency of 1100 MHz. The 3337U was engineered specifically to meet Intel's ultrabook specifications, prioritizing battery life and portability over raw computational power. While its performance is modest, it was a highly efficient chip for its time, enabling a new generation of sleek, highly portable computers that laid the groundwork for modern ultrabooks.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with heavy web apps but okay for basic text.
Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.
Gaming
Completely unsuited for modern gaming.
Cannot run modern games; struggles with basic 3D.
Virtualization
Low clock speed and 2 cores make VMs painful.
Not recommended due to 2 cores.
Efficiency
17W TDP was excellent in 2013, but outdated now.
17W TDP was efficient in 2012, but outdated now.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Extremely slow CPU inference
- No AI hardware
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is too weak
- Low TDP limits sustained performance
- HD 4000 is too weak
- Only suitable for older 2D games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent battery life for 2013
- Very low 17W TDP
- Soldered for thin designs
- Good 1080p video playback
Cons
- Very slow by modern standards
- 1.8 GHz base clock is too low
- Soldered, no upgrades
- No Windows 11 support
- Struggles with modern web
Pros
- Was efficient in 2012
- Good single-core burst performance
- 17W TDP
- Enabled thin-and-light designs
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Very slow for modern tasks
- No Windows 11 support
- 22nm process is outdated
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3337U
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3667URival
Mobile ULV
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile ULV APU
- Intel Core i5-3317URival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-2467MAlt
Older ULV alternative
- Intel Core i3-2367MAlt
Cheaper ULV dual-core
- Intel Pentium 987Alt
Budget ULV alternative
- Intel Celeron 877Alt
Low-end ULV
- AMD E2-1800Alt
AMD low-power alternative
Intel Core i7-3667U
- AMD A10-4655MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-3427URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2677MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-4555MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3517URival
Mobile
Successor with better efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-headModern budget CPU with vastly superior performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Modern budget alternative.
Excellent modern ultrabook chip.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Unmatched efficiency for basic use.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An efficient chip in 2013, but its low clock speeds make it painfully slow for modern web browsing.
Best for: Extremely cheap legacy laptop for offline writing.
Read the full reviewA top-tier 2012 ultrabook chip, but its dual-core design is too slow for modern multitasking.
Best for: When considering the Intel Core i7-3667U today, it should only be purchased in the used market at a rock-bottom price. It remains capable of basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, but its 2-core design is a major bottleneck for modern multitasking and heavy web applications. Avoid purchasing a laptop with this CPU if you need to do any modern productivity work, video editing, or gaming. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a cheap, secondary machine for light web browsing or for students who need a basic word processor on the go. For any primary computing needs, investing in a newer platform is strongly recommended for better efficiency, security, and overall performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3337U or Intel Core i7-3667U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3337U comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3337U or Intel Core i7-3667U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3337U leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i7-3667U.
Do Intel Core i5-3337U and Intel Core i7-3667U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1023 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3337U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3337U (2,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.