CPU Comparison
Core i5-3335S vs Intel Core i5-3570S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3335S is a low-power variant of the 3rd generation Ivy Bridge desktop processors. Launched in late 2012, it is designed for small form factor (SFF) PCs and all-in-one systems where thermals are constrained. It features a reduced TDP of 65W compared to the standard 77W of the i5-3330. To achieve this, the base clock is lowered to 2.7 GHz, though it can still boost up to 3.2 GHz. The processor offers 4 cores and 4 threads, alongside 6MB of L3 cache. A notable feature of the 3335S is the inclusion of Intel HD 4000 graphics, a significant step up from the HD 2500 found in the standard 3330, providing better media decoding and light gaming capabilities. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory and fits into the LGA 1155 socket, making it a versatile choice for compact, efficient builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks adequately, but low base clock limits multitasking headroom.
Handles office suites and multitasking well enough for basic use.
Gaming
HD 4000 can play very old games (like Half-Life 2) at low settings, but is useless for modern titles.
Quad cores are okay for old games, but single-thread speed is too low today.
Virtualization
Basic virtualization is possible but limited by 4 threads.
Can run a basic VM, but lacks Hyper-Threading.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for its generation, tailored for SFF systems.
Good efficiency for a 22nm desktop chip.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Low compute capacity
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for modern inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 is insufficient for modern gaming
- Low base clock limits performance
- Suitable only for retro or 2D indie games
- Needs a dedicated GPU
- Low single-thread performance by modern standards
- Not recommended for modern AAA games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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- Uses outdated DDR3 memory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
Pros
- Good 65W TDP
- True 4 physical cores
- Reliable for basic office tasks
- Socketed design
Cons
- Low clock speeds compared to modern chips
- Obsolete DDR3 memory
- No Hyper-Threading
- Weak integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i5-3570S
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450SRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500SRival
Desktop
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop
Vastly superior single-core and modern platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4500Alt
Cheap 6-core processor for budget builds.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Modern 6-core with excellent price/performance.
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget quad-core alternative.
- Intel Pentium G7400Alt
Modern dual-core for basic needs.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA well-balanced 65W quad-core that was a staple in pre-built office PCs, but is too slow for modern demanding workloads.
Best for: For modern users, the Core i5-3570S holds very little value outside of maintaining an older system. If you have a functioning LGA 1155 motherboard and need a cheap processor to keep an office machine or media center running, this chip is adequate. Its quad-core design still handles basic web browsing and document editing reasonably well. However, it struggles significantly with modern gaming and heavy multitasking. It should never be purchased for a new build, as its platform lacks support for modern I/O like NVMe booting (on most older boards), USB 3.1 Gen 2, and DDR4 memory. If you find one used for a few dollars, it might be worth it to revive an old PC. Otherwise, save your money for a modern entry-level processor.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i5-3335S or Intel Core i5-3570S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3570S leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Core i5-3335S and Intel Core i5-3570S.
Do Core i5-3335S and Intel Core i5-3570S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-3335S: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3570S: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3570S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3570S (6,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.