CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2390T vs Intel Core i5-3330S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2390T is a low-power dual-core processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, featuring Hyper-Threading to handle four threads simultaneously. With a thermal design power of just 35 watts, it was designed specifically for compact desktops and all-in-one PCs where cooling space and power delivery are strictly limited. Despite its small power footprint, it operates at a respectable 2.7 GHz base frequency and can turbo boost up to 3.5 GHz under load. It includes the Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics, providing basic display output without the need for a dedicated graphics card. This chip represents a unique era in computing when dual-core i5s were still prevalent in the market, serving users who needed hyper-threading capabilities and modern instruction sets like AVX without the heat output of a quad-core chip.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Extremely slow for modern office suites and web applications.
4 cores handle basic office tasks well, but the lack of threads and older IPC limits heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Cannot handle any modern 3D games.
The HD 2500 graphics are extremely weak; a dedicated GPU is required for any form of gaming.
Virtualization
Can run a single light VM, but severely bottlenecked.
Can run a couple of light VMs with VT-d support, but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency for its era, drawing very little power.
The 65W TDP and 22nm process provide excellent efficiency for a desktop chip of its era.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 or modern matrix extensions
- No AI hardware support
- Aging architecture makes AI inference very slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Lacks modern instruction sets required by current game engines
- HD 2000 graphics cannot run modern APIs like DirectX 12
- Only playable with very old 2D or pre-2010 3D games
- HD 2500 graphics are only suitable for 2D applications
- Requires a discrete GPU for any 3D gaming
- Older architecture limits performance with modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very low 35W power consumption
- Hyper-Threading support
- Includes basic integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- Reduced 3 MB L3 cache
- No AVX2 support
- Cannot run Windows 11
- Obsolete for modern tasks
Pros
- Low 65W TDP for cool and quiet operation
- True quad-core design for basic multitasking
- Uses the ubiquitous LGA 1155 socket
- Supports PCIe 3.0
Cons
- Weak HD 2500 integrated graphics
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life and outdated
- Locked multiplier
- DDR3 memory only
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-2390T
- AMD Phenom II X4 840Rival
Desktop
- AMD Athlon II X4 645Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-3850Rival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core i3-2120Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-650Rival
Desktop
Much better performance, though higher power draw.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-2100TAlt
Lower cost, similar power envelope.
- AMD A6-3650Alt
Better integrated graphics performance.
- Intel Core i7-2600TAlt
More threads within the same 65W power envelope.
- Intel Pentium G860Alt
Budget alternative if hyperthreading is not needed.
Intel Core i5-3330S
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-5600KRival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core i3-3220Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
A newer Haswell generation low-power CPU if upgrading within a similar tier.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget modern alternative with vastly superior Vega integrated graphics.
A modern budget quad-core that obliterates this chip in every metric.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A modern APU that offers incredible integrated graphics and CPU performance.
A budget modern CPU that offers 6 cores and 12 threads for cheap.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An obsolete low-power processor suitable only for keeping legacy slim-profile desktops functional.
Best for: Repairing a broken 2011 all-in-one PC
Read the full reviewA reliable low-power quad-core for its time, good for basic desktop tasks, but severely lacking in graphical and multi-threaded performance today.
Best for: Reviving an old office PC for basic web browsing or as a home NAS server.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2390T or Intel Core i5-3330S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3330S comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. 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 i5-2390T or Intel Core i5-3330S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3330S leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-3330S.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-2390T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-2390T (35 W), Intel Core i5-3330S (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-3330S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-2390T: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3330S: Intel Socket 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-3330S has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-2390T (2 cores), Intel Core i5-3330S (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2390T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2390T (1,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.