Intel Core i3-4370 vs Intel Core i5-3330S Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4370 and Intel Core i5-3330S represent two distinct approaches to desktop processing: a high-clock dual-core with Hyper-Threading versus a lower-clock quad-core without it. The benchmark data, however, delivers a remarkably consistent verdict. Across every single head-to-head test recorded, the Intel Core i5-3330S emerges victorious, albeit by narrow margins that underscore the efficiency of the newer architecture in the i3-4370. The data shows a clear, if modest, performance hierarchy favoring the older quad-core part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking aspect of this comparison is the uniformity of the results. The Intel Core i5-3330S wins all five recorded benchmark comparisons, yet the winning margins are consistently small. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i5-3330S scores 335 against the i3-4370's 330, a delta of -1.5% from the perspective of the i3. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-3330S posts 1396 versus 1379 for the i3-4370, a 1.2% difference.

The story is similar in single-threaded workloads, which typically favor higher clock speeds. The i3-4370 operates at a base clock of 3.80 GHz, significantly higher than the i5-3330S's 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. Despite this advantage, the i5-3330S still manages to edge out the i3-4370 in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, scoring 196 against 194, a 1% difference. This result suggests that the architectural efficiency of the i5-3330S's Ivy Bridge design compensates for its lower frequency in this specific test.

The trend continues in the most demanding workload recorded. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-3330S scores 3326, while the i3-4370 achieves 3284, a margin of 1.3%. The single-core variant of R23 shows the same outcome, with the i5-3330S scoring 469 against the i3-4370's 463, also a 1.3% difference. The data presents a consistent picture: the i5-3330S is the faster processor in every measurable category, but its victory is never overwhelming.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this narrative. The i3-4370 has an average benchmark score of 1130, while the i5-3330S sits just below at 1128. This places both processors in the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier. The head-to-head results, however, show that within this tier, the i5-3330S consistently holds a slight edge. The i3-4370's nearest rivals, including the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 with an identical average score of 1130 and a 0% delta, show it is competitive with other dual-core parts, but it cannot overcome the quad-core i5-3330S.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-3330S wins in every scenario tested. This includes both multi-core and single-core Cinebench workloads, covering render tasks and general processing. The i5-3330S's advantage in multi-core tests is expected, given it has four physical cores versus the i3-4370's two, but its wins in single-core tests are more notable. The i5-3330S's superior performance in single-core tests, despite a significantly lower base clock, indicates that its Ivy Bridge architecture is more efficient per clock cycle than the Haswell architecture in the i3-4370 for these specific workloads.

The Intel Core i3-4370, on the other hand, does not register a single win in the recorded head-to-head data. This does not mean it is without merit, but its strengths are not reflected in the available benchmark suite. The i3-4370’s advantage lies in its higher base clock frequency of 3.80 GHz, which theoretically benefits latency-sensitive tasks that cannot utilize multiple cores effectively. However, the data shows that even in single-core tests, this clock advantage does not translate into a performance win. The i3-4370 also has a lower TDP of 54 watts compared to the i5-3330S's 77 watts, suggesting it is more power-efficient, but this metric does not appear in the benchmark scores.

For users focused on the data provided, the choice is clear: the i5-3330S is the better performer across the board. Its wins are consistent and its margin, while small, is present in every test. The i3-4370 offers no benchmark where it can claim superiority, making the i5-3330S the rational choice for any workload covered by the Cinebench tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures that explain their performance characteristics. The Intel Core i3-4370 uses the Haswell architecture, while the Intel Core i5-3330S is based on the older Ivy Bridge design. Both are manufactured on the same 22 nm process node and by the same foundry, Intel. This shared process node means the transistors are the same size, but the underlying microarchitecture differs significantly.

The i3-4370 features 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 177 mm². The i5-3330S's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is considerably smaller at 133 mm². This difference in die size, despite the i5-3330S having more cores, suggests that the Haswell design in the i3-4370 is more complex per core, likely due to improvements in the execution engine and integrated graphics.

The integrated graphics also differ substantially. The i3-4370 is equipped with Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3330S comes with the older Intel HD 2500. This represents a generational leap in graphics capability, with the HD 4600 offering more execution units and better feature support. This difference is not reflected in the CPU benchmarks but is a notable architectural advantage for the i3-4370.

Cache configuration is another key differentiator. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the shared L3 cache differs: the i3-4370 has 4 MB, while the i5-3330S has 6 MB. The i5-3330S's larger L3 cache is a direct benefit of its four-core design, providing more room for shared data and improving multi-core performance. The i3-4370's smaller cache is a limitation of its dual-core configuration.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several direct contrasts between the two processors. The most fundamental difference is in core and thread counts. The Intel Core i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to process four threads simultaneously. The Intel Core i5-3330S has 4 physical cores but only 4 threads, meaning it does not support Hyper-Threading. This is the primary reason for the i5-3330S's multi-core performance advantage.

Clock speeds present another clear difference. The i3-4370 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and no boost clock, running at a fixed frequency. The i5-3330S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, allowing it to dynamically increase frequency under load. The i3-4370’s higher static clock is a point in its favor, but the data shows it is not enough to overcome the i5-3330S's core advantage.

Power consumption and platform compatibility also differ. The i3-4370 has a TDP of 54 watts and uses the Intel Socket 1150. The i5-3330S has a higher TDP of 77 watts and uses the older Intel Socket 1155. This means the two processors are not interchangeable; they require different motherboards. The i5-3330S also has a part number (SR0RR), while the i3-4370 does not have a listed part number.

Memory support is identical, with both supporting DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. Both also support PCIe Gen 3, though the i5-3330S specifies "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i3-4370 simply lists "Gen 3". The release dates show the i5-3330S launched in September 2012, while the i3-4370 came out nearly two years later in July 2014. Neither processor has a listed launch MSRP and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3330S is faster in all recorded multi-core tests. It wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with a score of 335 versus 330 for the Intel Core i3-4370, and the R20 multi-core test with a score of 1396 versus 1379.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4370 win any benchmark test?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i5-3330S wins all five recorded benchmarks, including both single-core and multi-core tests. The Intel Core i3-4370 registers zero wins.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has an average benchmark score of 1130, while the Intel Core i5-3330S has an average score of 1128. Both processors are in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-3330S has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their clock speeds differ?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has a fixed base clock of 3.80 GHz with no boost clock. The Intel Core i5-3330S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-4370 uses the Intel Socket 1150, while the Intel Core i5-3330S uses the Intel Socket 1155. They require different motherboards.