CPU Comparison

# Intel Core i3-4150 vs Intel Core i5-3330S

This matchup pits a newer dual-core Haswell part with Hyper-Threading against an older quad-core Ivy Bridge processor. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the i5-3330S dominates every Cinebench test, while the i3-4150 wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. Both chips land at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1119 for the i3-4150 versus 1128 for the i5-3330S. This near-parity in overall score masks wildly different workload characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3330S has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4150 has only 2. However, the i3-4150 compensates with Hyper-Threading, giving it 4 threads total, the same thread count as the i5-3330S.

Q: Why does the i5-3330S win all Cinebench tests despite having a lower base clock?

A: The i5-3330S has a 3.20 GHz boost clock compared to the i3-4150's fixed 3.50 GHz, but the i5's two additional physical cores provide a significant multi-threaded advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-3330S scores 3326 versus 2888 for the i3-4150, a 13.2% lead.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The i3-4150 scores 968 in Geekbench single-core, while the i5-3330S scores just 549. That is a 76.3% advantage for the i3-4150, making it dramatically better for lightly-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the difference in cache sizes?

A: The i5-3330S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4150 has only 3 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Which processor has a newer integrated GPU?

A: The i3-4150 integrates Intel HD 4400, while the i5-3330S has the older Intel HD 2500. This reflects the architectural generation gap, the i3-4150 is Haswell-based, while the i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge.

Q: Do both processors have the same memory bandwidth?

A: The i3-4150 has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3330S has no published memory bandwidth figure in the data. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split here is fundamental. The i3-4150 is built on the Haswell architecture, which represents Intel's second generation after the i5-3330S's Ivy Bridge design. Both use a 22 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel, but the transistor counts tell a story: the i3-4150 packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, while the i5-3330S has no listed transistor count but uses a smaller 133 mm² die.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The i3-4150 has 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading (4 threads total), while the i5-3330S has 4 physical cores without Hyper-Threading (also 4 threads). This means the i3-4150 relies on thread scheduling and instruction-level parallelism to extract performance, whereas the i5-3330S has raw physical core count on its side.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both chips have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache doubles from 3 MB on the i3-4150 to 6 MB on the i5-3330S. This larger cache pool could benefit the i5-3330S in workloads with larger working sets. The integrated graphics also differ, the i3-4150 has Intel HD 4400, while the i5-3330S has Intel HD 2500, reflecting the newer architecture's improved GPU capabilities.

Socket compatibility is another divider. The i3-4150 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3330S is on Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, meaning motherboard choice will dictate which processor you can use. The i3-4150 was released on 2014-04-30, while the i5-3330S launched earlier on 2012-09-02. Power consumption also differs: the i3-4150 has a 54 W TDP, while the i5-3330S has a higher 77 W TDP, despite the i5's lower base clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are starkly divided by test suite. In every single Cinebench test, the i5-3330S emerges victorious with remarkably consistent margins. Cinebench R15 multicore shows the i5-3330S scoring 335 against the i3-4150's 290, a 13.4% deficit for the i3. Cinebench R20 multicore follows the same pattern: 1396 versus 1212, with the i3-4150 trailing by 13.2%. Even in single-core tests, the i5-3330S wins, Cinebench R20 single-core shows 196 for the i5 against 170 for the i3, again a 13.3% gap. Cinebench R23 tells an identical story: multicore 3326 versus 2888 (13.2% behind), and single-core 469 versus 407 (13.2% behind).

The consistency is striking. Across five different Cinebench iterations and both single and multi-core workloads, the i5-3330S maintains a nearly uniform 13.2-13.4% advantage. This suggests the i5's architectural advantages, more physical cores and double the L3 cache, provide a steady performance floor across rendering workloads.

But Geekbench flips the script entirely. The i3-4150 scores 1896 in Geekbench multicore versus 1625 for the i5-3330S, a 16.7% win for the i3. Even more dramatic is Geekbench single-core: 968 versus 549, giving the i3-4150 a massive 76.3% lead. This is not a marginal difference; it is a generational leap in single-threaded efficiency. The i3-4150's Haswell architecture and higher 3.50 GHz base clock clearly deliver vastly better instructions-per-clock in Geekbench's workload.

The deltaPct values in the nearestRivals data provide additional context. The i3-4150's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-2860QM, has an average score of 1120, just 0.1% from the i3's 1119. Meanwhile, the i5-3330S sits at 1128, with the Intel Core i7-2720QM matching it exactly at 1128. Both processors are effectively tied in overall average score, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights where these two processors diverge in their specifications:

| Field | Intel Core i3-4150 | Intel Core i5-3330S |

|-------|---------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 77 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 133 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2012-09-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $117 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR1PJ | SR0RR |

Both processors share the same 22 nm process node, dual-channel DDR3 memory support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and lack of ECC memory support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i5-3330S wins 5 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, with a consistent 13.2-13.4% margin. Its four physical cores and doubled L3 cache make it the superior choice for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily multi-threaded applications. The i5-3330S also edges out the i3-4150 in average benchmark score, 1128 versus 1119, a difference of less than 1%.

However, the Intel Core i3-4150's dominance in Geekbench cannot be ignored. Its 76.3% lead in single-core performance suggests it is dramatically better for everyday tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy single-threaded applications. The 16.7% multicore Geekbench win further indicates that Haswell's architectural improvements deliver real-world benefits beyond raw core counts.

Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers in the broader market. The i3-4150's nearest rivals include the Core i7-2860QM and AMD Athlon 240GE, both within 0.1-0.2% of its average score. The i5-3330S's rivals include the Core i7-2720QM and Core i5-4690T, similarly close in performance.

For a user prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, the i5-3330S is the clear winner. For single-threaded responsiveness and newer architecture features, the i3-4150 is better. There is no universal winner; the choice depends entirely on workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3330S wins in:

• All Cinebench rendering workloads: R15 multicore (335 vs 290), R20 multicore (1396 vs 1212), R20 single-core (196 vs 170), R23 multicore (3326 vs 2888), and R23 single-core (469 vs 407).
• Scenarios requiring a larger 6 MB L3 cache for working sets that exceed 3 MB.
• Applications that scale with physical core count, since the i5 offers 4 dedicated cores versus the i3's 2 cores with Hyper-Threading.
• Overall average benchmark score, with 1128 versus 1119.

The Intel Core i3-4150 wins in:

• Geekbench multicore (1896 vs 1625), a 16.7% advantage.
• Geekbench single-core (968 vs 549), a massive 76.3% advantage.
• Power efficiency, with a 54 W TDP versus 77 W for the i5-3330S.
• Newer integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400 versus HD 2500).
• Newer platform with Socket 1150 compatibility, potentially offering more modern motherboard features.

The i3-4150's Geekbench single-core score of 968 is particularly notable, it exceeds the i5-3330S's score by nearly 76%, meaning tasks that rely on a single thread will feel significantly snappier on the Haswell chip. Meanwhile, the i5-3330S's Cinebench consistency suggests it is the more reliable choice for sustained multi-core rendering workloads. Users must decide which benchmark family better represents their primary use case, as these two processors deliver near-identical overall averages but achieve them through entirely different strengths.