CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3330S vs Intel Core i5-3550
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 basic office apps, but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Gaming
The HD 2500 graphics are extremely weak; a dedicated GPU is required for any form of gaming.
Can run older games fine, but lacks single-thread speed for modern AAA titles.
Virtualization
Can run a couple of light VMs with VT-d support, but limited by 4 threads.
Limited by 4 threads, but VT-x/VT-d support allows basic VM usage.
Efficiency
The 65W TDP and 22nm process provide excellent efficiency for a desktop chip of its era.
Good efficiency for 2012, but outdated by modern 14nm/10nm standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware support
- Aging architecture makes AI inference very slow
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
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
- Requires a dedicated GPU
- Single-core performance is too low for modern games
- PCIe 3.0 support is a plus for compatibility
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- End-of-life and outdated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
- True 4 physical cores
- Supports PCIe 3.0
- Low price on used market
- Good for legacy system repairs
Cons
- Obsolete 22nm process
- Locked multiplier
- Weak HD 2500 integrated graphics
- Uses DDR3 memory
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
Intel Core i5-3550
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-5800KRival
Desktop
Vastly superior modern quad-core with hyper-threading.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Excellent value used hex-core.
Slightly faster Haswell alternative for the same socket.
Compare head-to-headCheaper Sandy Bridge alternative if overclocking is desired.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget modern alternative.
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 legacy processor that still handles basic tasks, but lacks the performance and modern features needed for current workloads.
Best for: The Core i5-3550 is completely obsolete and should not be considered for a new build. If you are repairing an older LGA 1155 system or building a budget retro gaming rig, it can be a functional, cheap drop-in part. It still handles basic web browsing and document editing adequately, provided you use lightweight software and an SSD. However, its lack of modern instruction sets and low single-thread performance will bottleneck any modern GPU or application. If you have an existing system, it might be worth a cheap upgrade from a Pentium or i3, but otherwise, save your money for a modern platform. Do not spend more than a few dollars on this chip, as even the cheapest new processors offer vastly superior performance-per-watt.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3330S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3330S (65 W), Intel Core i5-3550 (77 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3330S and Intel Core i5-3550 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3330S: Intel Socket 1155, Intel Core i5-3550: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3550 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3550 (6,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.