Quick Verdict
A solid step up from the 4300M, offering slightly higher clock speeds and strong single-core performance for its era, though obsolete by modern standards.
Overview
Launch
2013
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
4th Gen Core i5
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-4330M is a 4th generation Haswell dual-core mobile processor featuring a 37W TDP, high clock speeds, and Intel HD Graphics 5000 for mainstream laptops.
The Core i5-4330M is a slightly faster binned version of the 4300M, designed for standard laptops with adequate cooling. It offers 2 cores, 4 threads, and a high 3.8 GHz turbo boost.
The socketed PGA946 design allows for CPU upgrades. While its HD 5000 graphics were good for 2013, its dual-core architecture limits its usefulness in modern multitasking scenarios.
Specifications
Performance
The high 3.8 GHz turbo boost provides excellent single-threaded responsiveness for everyday tasks.
Can run light VMs with VT-d support, but dual-core limits multitasking.
HD 5000 graphics allow for playable framerates in older titles at 720p or 1080p on low settings.
37W TDP is standard for mobile but runs warmer than modern 15W chips.
- •Comparable to an entry-level discrete mobile GPU
- •Can handle older games like Bioshock Infinite at low settings
- •Not suitable for modern AAA titles
- •No AI hardware acceleration
- •Dual-core CPU limits inference performance
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
3 MB
L3 Cache
37 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-4330M is built on the Haswell microarchitecture, Intel's 4th generation Core design. Manufactured on a 22-nanometer Tri-Gate process, the die measures 118 mm² and contains 1.4 billion transistors. It features a dual-core design with Hyper-Threading, processing 4 threads concurrently. The processor includes 3 MB of Intel Smart Cache. As an 'M' series chip, it utilizes a socketed PGA946 package (Socket G3), offering system builders and users an upgrade path. It operates with a base clock of 2.8 GHz and can turbo boost up to an impressive 3.8 GHz, providing strong single-threaded throughput. The integrated graphics are Intel HD Graphics 5000, featuring 40 execution units. This was a step up from the desktop HD 4600, offering enhanced 3D rendering capabilities for mobile platforms without discrete GPUs. The architecture supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0, ensuring high-speed data transfer to discrete components. Its 37-watt thermal design power ensures it can sustain high clock speeds longer than ultra-low voltage counterparts, given adequate laptop cooling.
CPU Design
Dual-core, 4 threads, socketed PGA946 package.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory controller.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier, no overclocking support.
- Higher turbo boost clock (3.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz)
- Upgraded graphics from HD 4000 to HD 5000
- Support for PCIe 3.0
Key Highlights
- High 3.8 GHz turbo boost for excellent single-threaded tasks
- Socketed design allows for upgrades
- HD 5000 graphics are capable for media
- Supports PCIe 3.0
- Only 2 physical cores
- 37W TDP runs warm
- End-of-life and outdated
- Locked multiplier
History
The Core i5-4330M was launched on September 1, 2013, representing the higher-end of Intel's standard mobile dual-core lineup. <br> This processor was designed for mainstream laptops that prioritized CPU performance over ultimate portability. With a 37W TDP and a high 3.
8 GHz turbo boost, it offered snappy single-threaded performance for gaming and productivity. The use of the Socket G3 (PGA946) meant that users or system builders could easily swap out the CPU, a feature that was becoming rare in the ultra-thin laptop market. The inclusion of HD Graphics 5000 provided a graphical boost over standard desktop Haswell chips, allowing for light gaming without a discrete GPU.
While the socketed mobile platform eventually died out, the 4330M remains a solid representation of the performance-oriented mobile chips of its era. It is now end-of-life, heavily outpaced by modern multi-core mobile processors.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher turbo boost clock (3.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz)
- Upgraded graphics from HD 4000 to HD 5000
- Support for PCIe 3.0
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading an old Socket G3 laptop from a Celeron or Pentium to this i5 for cheap.
Avoid if…
- Buying a new laptop
- Running modern software
- Playing modern games
- Doing heavy productivity work
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It is essentially a slightly faster binned version of the i5-4300M.
The 'M' suffix denotes a socketed mobile processor.
It uses the FC-PGA946 package.
The turbo boost reaches an impressive 3.8 GHz.
It features HD 5000 graphics with 40 execution units.
Built on the 22nm Haswell architecture.
It supports up to 32 GB of DDR3 RAM.
The die size is 118 mm².
It was released in September 2013.
Supports Intel Quick Sync Video for fast hardware media encoding.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core i5-4330M good for gaming?
It can handle older games like CS:GO or Minecraft at low settings, but it is not suitable for modern gaming.
Can you overclock the Core i5-4330M?
No, the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.
What socket does the i5-4330M use?
It uses Intel Socket G3 (PGA946), meaning it is a socketed chip, not soldered.
Can I upgrade the i5-4330M in my laptop?
Yes, if your laptop uses Socket G3, you can upgrade to a higher-end i7 MQ series chip.
What is the TDP of the i5-4330M?
It has a 37 Watt TDP, standard for mainstream mobile processors of its era.
What is the difference between i5-4330M and i5-4300M?
The 4330M has a slightly higher base clock (2.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz) and turbo boost (3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz).
What graphics does the Core i5-4330M have?
It features Intel HD Graphics 5000 with 40 execution units.
Does the i5-4330M support DDR4 memory?
No, it only supports dual-channel DDR3 memory.
How many cores does the i5-4330M have?
It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading.
What is the max turbo frequency of the i5-4330M?
The maximum turbo frequency is 3.8 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Intel Core i5-4330M released?
It was released on September 1st, 2013.
What generation is the Core i5-4330M?
It is a 4th Generation Intel Core processor, codenamed Haswell.
Does the Core i5-4330M support hardware virtualization?
Yes, it supports VT-x and VT-d for virtualization.
What is the L3 cache size of the i5-4330M?
It has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.
What is the base clock of the i5-4330M?
The base clock is 2.8 GHz.
Is the i5-4330M soldered to the motherboard?
No, it is a socketed processor using the FC-PGA946 package.
Does the i5-4330M have an unlocked multiplier?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What PCIe version does the i5-4330M support?
It supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
Is the i5-4330M good for video editing?
It can handle light 1080p editing but will struggle with 4K or heavy effects.
Does the i5-4330M support Windows 11?
No, it is not officially supported by Windows 11.