Intel Core i3-4330T vs Intel Core i5-5300U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably consistent across every Cinebench test: the Intel Core i3-4330T wins all five recorded comparisons, with margins that stay within a very narrow band. The largest single margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i3-4330T scores 156 against 135 for the i5-5300U, a lead of 15.6%. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i3-4330T posts 265 versus 230, a 15.2% advantage. In between, the deltas are almost perfectly uniform: 15.4% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1108 vs 960), 15.4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2639 vs 2287), and 15.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (372 vs 322). When a processor wins every benchmark by nearly the same percentage, it suggests the advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

The recorded data shows the i3-4330T also holds an edge in average benchmark score, with 908 versus 895 for the i5-5300U. That 13-point gap is modest, but it reflects the same pattern as the head-to-head results. Both CPUs land at the 24th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite the i3-4330T's consistent win in direct comparison.

The i5-5300U does have one category where it appears in the database that the i3-4330T does not: Geekbench results. The i5-5300U records 1540 in Geekbench multi-core and 791 in single-core. However, no Geekbench scores are recorded for the i3-4330T, so no direct comparison can be made in that test. The i5-5300U's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4600T and AMD PRO A10-8770E, both with an average score of 895 and a delta of 0%, as well as the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U at 893 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i3-6100 at 888 (0.7% behind). For the i3-4330T, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-10110Y and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U, both at 908 with a delta of 0%, the AMD PRO A12-9800E at 910 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD A10-7860K at 904 (0.4% behind). These rival relationships place both CPUs in the same performance neighborhood, but the head-to-head Cinebench data is unambiguous about which one wins when they face each other directly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and are built on different process nodes. The i3-4330T uses the Haswell architecture on Intel's 22 nm process, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i5-5300U uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-U, on Intel's 14 nm process, with a much smaller die size of 82 mm² and 1,300 million transistors. The 14 nm node is the newer process, but the i3-4330T's larger die and higher transistor count reflect its desktop-oriented design.

Both processors have 2 physical cores and 4 threads, so the threading model is identical. The base clock speeds differ substantially: the i3-4330T runs at a fixed 3.00 GHz with no boost clock, while the i5-5300U has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. Despite the i5-5300U's ability to boost, the i3-4330T's higher sustained base clock appears to be the decisive factor in the benchmark results. The i3-4330T's clock advantage is roughly 0.1 GHz over the i5-5300U's maximum boost, and roughly 0.7 GHz over its base clock.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the i3-4330T has 4 MB of shared L3 cache versus 3 MB for the i5-5300U. That extra megabyte of L3 cache likely contributes to the i3-4330T's consistent single-core and multi-core wins, as does its higher clock speed. Memory support is DDR3 with dual-channel access for both. The i5-5300U lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i3-4330T.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i3-4330T carries a 35 W TDP, while the i5-5300U is rated at 15 W. The i5-5300U is clearly engineered for mobile power efficiency, while the i3-4330T is a desktop part with more thermal headroom. The i5-5300U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, a mobile package, while the i3-4330T uses Intel Socket 1150 for desktop builds. PCIe support also differs: the i3-4330T has Gen 3, while the i5-5300U has Gen 2 with 12 lanes available from the CPU only.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4330T includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-5300U includes Intel HD 5500. The i5-5300U is listed as end-of-life in the database, while no production status is recorded for the i3-4330T. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-5300U has a recorded launch MSRP of $315, which may be stated once as a reference point; the i3-4330T has no launch MSRP recorded. Release dates place the i3-4330T in August 2013 and the i5-5300U in February 2015, so the newer mobile chip arrived on a newer process node but could not overcome the older desktop part's performance advantage in Cinebench tests. The part numbers are SR1NK for the i3-4330T and SR23X for the i5-5300U.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for anyone building a desktop system on Socket 1150: the Intel Core i3-4330T is the faster processor in every Cinebench test where both are measured. The margins range from 15.2% to 15.6%, and the wins are consistent across multi-core and single-core workloads. The i3-4330T's higher base clock, larger L3 cache, and Gen 3 PCIe support make it the stronger choice for raw compute performance in the recorded benchmarks.

The i5-5300U is the better fit for mobile or low-power systems that prioritize efficiency over peak performance. Its 15 W TDP versus 35 W for the i3-4330T means it consumes less than half the thermal budget while delivering about 85% of the performance in the recorded Cinebench tests. The i5-5300U also has the advantage of being a Broadwell part on a 14 nm process, which represents a newer manufacturing generation, and it includes Geekbench results in the database that the i3-4330T lacks.

Neither processor is a performance standout: both sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by only 13 points. The nearest rivals for the i3-4330T include the Intel Core i3-10110Y and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U at 908, while the i5-5300U's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4600T and AMD PRO A10-8770E at 895. These are entry-level and low-power parts by current standards, and the data reflects that positioning.

The choice between these two comes down to platform and power constraints. For a desktop socket that can accommodate 35 W, the i3-4330T is demonstrably faster. For a thin-and-light laptop or a passively cooled system with a 15 W budget, the i5-5300U is the only viable option of the two, and its performance deficit is modest given the power savings. The i5-5300U's boost capability up to 2.90 GHz does not fully close the gap with the i3-4330T's fixed 3.00 GHz, but it does mitigate the difference in bursty workloads where the mobile chip can ramp up briefly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330T wins single-core tests in the recorded data. It scores 156 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 135 for the i5-5300U, a 15.6% lead, and 372 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 322, a 15.5% lead.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330T has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core i5-5300U has a TDP of 15 W. The i5-5300U is rated for less than half the thermal budget of the i3-4330T.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. The difference is in L3 cache: 4 MB shared for the i3-4330T versus 3 MB shared for the i5-5300U.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz. The Intel Core i5-5300U has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The i3-4330T does not have a boost clock.

Q: What are the process nodes for these CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330T is built on Intel's 22 nm process with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-5300U is built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 82 mm² and 1,300 million transistors.

Q: Is the i5-5300U still in production?

A: The database lists the Intel Core i5-5300U as end-of-life. No production status is recorded for the Intel Core i3-4330T.

Q: Which processor supports newer PCIe?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330T supports PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel Core i5-5300U supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU only.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4330T wins in every recorded Cinebench benchmark category. Its advantages are consistent, ranging from a 15.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core to a 15.6% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core. The i3-4330T is the better choice for desktop workloads that rely on sustained multi-threaded or single-threaded CPU performance, such as rendering tasks in Cinebench, general productivity applications, and any scenario where the 35 W thermal budget can be accommodated. Its larger 4 MB L3 cache and higher 3.00 GHz base clock give it a structural edge that shows up across both multi-core and single-core tests. It also supports PCIe Gen 3, which may matter for systems using high-bandwidth expansion cards.

The Intel Core i5-5300U wins in the categories of power efficiency and platform suitability. With a 15 W TDP, it consumes less than half the power of the i3-4330T while delivering within roughly 15% of the performance in Cinebench tests. This makes it the appropriate choice for mobile systems, compact laptops, or any design where cooling and battery life take priority over raw throughput. The i5-5300U also benefits from being a Broadwell part on the 14 nm node, which represents a newer manufacturing process, and it includes Geekbench scores in the database (1540 multi-core, 791 single-core) that provide additional performance data points not available for the i3-4330T. Its boost clock of 2.90 GHz allows it to approach the i3-4330T's fixed 3.00 GHz in short bursts, which helps in lightly threaded tasks that do not sustain heavy load for long periods. The i5-5300U also has a recorded launch MSRP of $315, which can serve as a reference point for the mobile part.

The i3-4330T's wins are all in the Cinebench family of tests, covering R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core. The i5-5300U has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data, but it is the only one of the two with recorded Geekbench results, giving it a measurable presence in that test suite. For a desktop user who values peak benchmark performance above all, the i3-4330T is the clear pick. For a mobile user who needs a low-power chip with reasonable performance and a smaller physical footprint, the i5-5300U is the appropriate selection despite losing every direct Cinebench comparison. The two CPUs serve different market segments, and the benchmark data reflects that division: the i3-4330T is a desktop part with higher clocks and more thermal headroom, while the i5-5300U is a mobile part with a smaller die, a newer process node, and a much lower power envelope.