Quick Verdict
The i5-3475S stands out as the only 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge i5 with HD 4000 graphics, but its outdated platform still makes it unsuitable for modern builds.
Overview
Launch
2012
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
3rd Gen (Ivy Bridge)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-3475S is a 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge desktop processor featuring Intel HD 4000 graphics, offering better GPU performance than the HD 2500-equipped i5-3470S in the same power envelope.
The Intel Core i5-3475S is the most capable integrated graphics option in the 65W Ivy Bridge i5 lineup. Unlike the i5-3470S and i5-3550S which use HD 2500 graphics with 6 Execution Units, the i5-3475S features Intel HD 4000 with 16 Execution Units running at 650-1150 MHz. This provides roughly double the GPU performance for light gaming and media tasks without requiring a discrete GPU.
The CPU configuration matches the i5-3470S with 4 cores, 4 threads, 2.9 GHz base clock, 3.6 GHz turbo, 6MB L3 cache, and dual-channel DDR3 support.
The 65W TDP keeps thermals manageable for small form factor builds, while the HD 4000 graphics make it the best choice for systems that need GPU capability without a discrete card.
Specifications
Performance
Same CPU performance as the i5-3470S — adequate for basic office work but limited by today's standards.
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability.
HD 4000 provides noticeably better gaming capability than HD 2500 but is still insufficient for modern titles.
The 65W TDP balances power efficiency with the additional GPU capability, reasonable for 2012.
- •HD 4000 with 16 EUs is the best integrated GPU in the Ivy Bridge i5 desktop lineup
- •Can handle older games like Minecraft and Team Fortress 2 at low settings
- •GPU shares system memory bandwidth, limiting performance
- •Modern gaming still requires a discrete GPU
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Not applicable for this processor generation
- •Insufficient compute for AI workloads
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Ivy Bridge
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-3475S uses the same 160mm² quad-core Ivy Bridge die as the i5-3470, but with the full GT2 graphics configuration enabled. While the i5-3470 and i5-3470S use the HD 2500 with only 6 Execution Units, the i5-3475S activates the complete HD 4000 with 16 Execution Units. This makes it unique among 65W Ivy Bridge i5 desktop processors — it is the only one to combine the power-optimized S-series TDP with the higher-tier integrated GPU. The CPU configuration is identical to the i5-3470S with 4 cores, 4 threads, 2.9 GHz base clock, 3.6 GHz turbo, and 6MB shared L3 cache. The HD 4000 graphics run at 650-1150 MHz, slightly higher than the 650-1100 MHz of the HD 2500, providing both more compute resources and higher peak clocks for the integrated GPU. The 65W TDP accounts for the additional GPU capability while maintaining the power-optimized classification.
CPU Design
Four Ivy Bridge CPU cores without Hyper-Threading, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, 6MB shared L3 Smart Cache, paired with HD 4000 integrated graphics (16 EUs).
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory controller with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, critical for feeding both the CPU and the shared-memory HD 4000 graphics.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, same as all quad-core Ivy Bridge desktop processors.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier with limited BCLK adjustment capability only.
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- HD 4000 over HD 3000 with more Execution Units
- Better power efficiency from 22nm process
Key Highlights
- HD 4000 graphics — best IGP in the Ivy Bridge i5 desktop lineup
- 65W TDP for power-efficient operation
- 16 Execution Units provide double the GPU compute of HD 2500
- Same 3.6 GHz turbo boost as other i5-3470 variants
- Full 6MB L3 cache
- HD 4000 still weak by modern standards
- No Hyper-Threading limits CPU multi-threading
- End-of-life LGA 1155 platform
- No Windows 11 support
- Rare and hard to find on the used market
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
History
The Core i5-3475S occupies a unique position in Intel's Ivy Bridge desktop lineup as the only 65W quad-core i5 to feature HD 4000 integrated graphics. While the standard i5-3470S cut the GPU to HD 2500 to save power, the i5-3475S kept the full GT2 graphics configuration enabled.</br></br>This processor was created specifically at the request of OEMs, most notably Apple, who needed a chip that balanced power efficiency with better integrated graphics for systems like the iMac and Mac mini.
These systems required adequate GPU performance for Retina displays and casual creative work without the thermal output of a discrete GPU or a 77W Core i7 processor.</br></br>The i5-3475S was never broadly available at retail, sold almost exclusively through OEM channels. This limited distribution made it something of a hidden gem in the Ivy Bridge lineup — users who discovered it could get HD 4000 graphics at the i5 price point with only a 65W TDP.
However, its rarity also meant most consumers never knew it existed, and the HD 2500-equipped i5-3470S was far more common in SFF desktops. Today, the i5-3475S is remembered as a niche product that anticipated the later trend toward capable integrated graphics in low-power desktop processors.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- HD 4000 over HD 3000 with more Execution Units
- Better power efficiency from 22nm process
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Maintaining an existing system that relies on integrated graphics without a discrete GPU
Avoid if…
- Building any new system in 2026
- Modern gaming or content creation
- Needing Windows 11 support
- Any workload requiring modern GPU features
- New system builds of any kind
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-3475S is the only 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge i5 desktop processor to feature Intel HD 4000 graphics — all other S-series i5 models use HD 2500.
Its HD 4000 has 16 Execution Units compared to just 6 in the HD 2500, providing roughly double the graphics performance.
This processor was specifically created for OEM systems that needed better integrated graphics without stepping up to the 77W TDP of Core i7 models.
The i5-3475S was not widely available at retail and was primarily sold through OEM channels.
It was commonly found in Apple's iMac and Mac mini models from 2012-2013, which valued both power efficiency and GPU capability.
The part number SR0PP identifies this specific SKU.
Despite using the same 160mm² die as the i5-3470, Intel enabled the full GT2 GPU rather than the cut-down GT1 configuration.
The GPU clock of 650-1150 MHz is 50 MHz higher than the HD 2500 found in other S-series processors.
Apple chose this specific processor for several Mac configurations because it offered the best balance of CPU performance, GPU capability, and power efficiency in the Ivy Bridge lineup.
The i5-3475S is considered a rare find on the used market today, making it somewhat of a collector's item among LGA 1155 enthusiasts.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between i5-3475S and i5-3470S?
The i5-3475S has Intel HD 4000 graphics (16 EUs) while the i5-3470S has HD 2500 (6 EUs). CPU performance is identical with the same clocks and cache.
Is the i5-3475S good for gaming?
The HD 4000 integrated graphics can handle older and casual games at low settings, which is better than the HD 2500 in other S-series models. However, it is still insufficient for modern gaming.
What Mac used the i5-3475S?
The i5-3475S was used in several 2012-2013 Mac mini and iMac configurations where Apple wanted better integrated graphics without the higher TDP of Core i7 models.
Can the i5-3475S run Windows 11?
No, it does not meet Windows 11 requirements and is not on the supported CPU list.
What is the TDP of the i5-3475S?
The TDP is 65W.
Does the i5-3475S have HD 4000 graphics?
Yes, it features Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics with 16 Execution Units — the only 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge i5 with this GPU tier.
Why is the i5-3475S rare?
It was primarily sold through OEM channels rather than retail, making it uncommon on the used market compared to standard i5-3470 variants.
What socket does the i5-3475S use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1155 socket.
How much better is HD 4000 than HD 2500?
The HD 4000 has 16 Execution Units compared to 6 in the HD 2500, providing roughly 60-100% better graphics performance depending on the workload.
Is the i5-3475S still usable in 2026?
Only for basic computing tasks. The HD 4000 graphics make it marginally better than HD 2500 models for display output, but it remains obsolete for modern workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What graphics does the i5-3475S have?
It features Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics with 16 Execution Units at 650-1150 MHz.
Does the i5-3475S support virtualization?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x and VT-d virtualization technologies.
What part number is the i5-3475S?
The standard part number is SR0PP.
How much cache does the i5-3475S have?
It has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and 6MB shared L3 cache.
What is the die size of the i5-3475S?
It uses the full 160mm² quad-core Ivy Bridge die with 1.4 billion transistors.
What is the turbo boost speed of the i5-3475S?
The maximum Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency is 3.6 GHz.
Does the i5-3475S support AES-NI?
Yes, it supports AES New Instructions for hardware-accelerated encryption.
What memory does the i5-3475S support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory up to DDR3-1600 speeds.
Is the i5-3475S unlocked for overclocking?
No, the multiplier is locked with limited BCLK adjustment capability only.
What is the maximum temperature for the i5-3475S?
The maximum case temperature (Tcase) is 69°C.