CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3330S vs Core i5-3335S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3330S is a 3rd generation Ivy Bridge quad-core desktop processor with a 65W TDP, featuring Intel HD Graphics 2500 for budget and small form factor PCs.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores handle basic office tasks well, but the lack of threads and older IPC limits heavy multitasking.
Handles office tasks adequately, but low base clock limits multitasking headroom.
Gaming
The HD 2500 graphics are extremely weak; a dedicated GPU is required for any form of gaming.
HD 4000 can play very old games (like Half-Life 2) at low settings, but is useless for modern titles.
Virtualization
Can run a couple of light VMs with VT-d support, but limited by 4 threads.
Basic virtualization is possible but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 65W TDP and 22nm process provide excellent efficiency for a desktop chip of its era.
Excellent efficiency for its generation, tailored for SFF systems.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware support
- Aging architecture makes AI inference very slow
- No AI acceleration
- Low compute capacity
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 2500 graphics are only suitable for 2D applications
- Requires a discrete GPU for any 3D gaming
- Older architecture limits performance with modern GPUs
- HD 4000 is insufficient for modern gaming
- Low base clock limits performance
- Suitable only for retro or 2D indie games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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- End-of-life and outdated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
Pros
- Low 65W TDP
- Includes HD 4000 graphics
- Good for basic media tasks
- Reliable quad-core design
Cons
- Low base clock of 2.7 GHz
- Uses outdated DDR3 memory
- Not supported by Windows 11
- Lacks Hyper-Threading
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Core i5-3335S
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3330SRival
Desktop
- AMD A8-5600Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-3225Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2400SRival
Desktop
Newer Haswell architecture with better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GEAlt
Modern low-power alternative with vastly superior integrated graphics.
- Intel Core i5-3330Alt
Slightly higher base clock if power consumption is less of a concern.
- Intel Core i7-3770SAlt
Hyper-threading and more L3 cache on the same socket.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GAlt
Excellent modern alternative for SFF builds with Vega graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA solid low-power CPU for 2012 SFF builds, offering decent integrated graphics, but outdated for modern computing.
Best for: Restoring an old SFF office PC
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3330S or Core i5-3335S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3330S leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i5-3330S and Core i5-3335S.
Do Intel Core i5-3330S and Core i5-3335S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3330S: Intel Socket 1155, Core i5-3335S: LGA 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.