Intel Core i3-6320 vs Intel Core i5-3350P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P has four physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-6320 has two. Both support four threads total, meaning the i5-3350P uses one thread per core, whereas the i3-6320 relies on Hyper-Threading to reach four threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-3350P has an average benchmark score of 1088, and the i3-6320 scores 1085. The difference is 0.3% in favor of the i5-3350P, placing the two within a negligible performance margin overall.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-core performance?

A: The i3-6320 wins every single-core benchmark in the head-to-head data. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 529 versus 519 for the i5-3350P, a 1.9% difference. Similar margins appear in R15 (53 vs 52) and R20 (222 vs 217).

Q: Is there a difference in memory support?

A: Yes. The i5-3350P supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-6320 supports DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i3-6320 also lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-3350P.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i3-6320 includes Intel HD 530 integrated graphics, while the i5-3350P lists no integrated graphics in the fact pack. This makes the i3-6320 a more self-contained option for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: What are their release dates?

A: The i5-3350P was released on September 2, 2012, and the i3-6320 on August 31, 2015. This places the i5-3350P in the Ivy Bridge generation and the i3-6320 in the Skylake generation, roughly three years apart.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-3350P is built on Intel’s Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 133 mm². In contrast, the i3-6320 uses the newer Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 150 mm² and a transistor count of 1,400 million. The i5-3350P’s transistor count is not listed in the fact pack.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i5-3350P offers four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, giving it four threads. The i3-6320 has two physical cores but supports four threads through Hyper-Threading. Both processors share a similar per-core cache layout: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. However, the shared L3 cache differs, with the i5-3350P providing 6 MB versus 4 MB on the i3-6320.

Clock speeds also follow different strategies. The i5-3350P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i3-6320 runs at a fixed 3.90 GHz with no boost clock listed. The i3-6320’s higher fixed clock likely explains its single-core advantage despite having fewer physical cores.

Memory support diverges by generation. The i5-3350P uses DDR3, while the i3-6320 uses DDR4, and the latter lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both are dual-channel and lack ECC support. Both CPUs use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The i3-6320 includes Intel HD 530 integrated graphics; the i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed. Socket compatibility also differs: the i5-3350P uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-6320 uses Intel Socket 1151. The i3-6320 has an active production status, whereas the i5-3350P’s status is not specified.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the i3-6320 wins all six. The most consistent margin is 1.9% in four tests: Cinebench R15 multicore (378 vs 371), R15 single-core (53 vs 52), R20 multicore (1576 vs 1546), and R23 multicore (3753 vs 3681). In each case, the i3-6320 leads by the same 1.9% margin, suggesting a uniform performance advantage across these workloads.

The largest delta appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i3-6320 scores 222 against 217 for the i5-3350P, a 2.3% difference. This is the only test where the margin exceeds 1.9%, reinforcing the i3-6320’s strength in lightly threaded tasks. The R23 single-core test shows a 1.9% gap (529 vs 519), matching the multicore margins.

Despite the i3-6320’s sweep, the absolute differences are small. The largest raw gap is 72 points in R23 multicore (3753 vs 3681), which corresponds to the same 1.9% delta. The smallest raw gap is 1 point in R15 single-core (53 vs 52). These are close results, not a dominant victory.

The i5-3350P’s four physical cores do not translate into a multicore win. Its 1.9% deficits in all three multicore tests indicate that the i3-6320’s higher clock speed and newer architecture compensate for the two-core disadvantage. The i5-3350P’s larger 6 MB L3 cache also fails to overcome the i3-6320’s per-core efficiency.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the i3-6320 is the superior processor in every measured category. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 1.9% to 2.3%. The i5-3350P’s only advantage is its average benchmark score of 1088 versus 1085, a 0.3% difference that falls within noise and does not appear in any individual head-to-head test.

For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, the i3-6320 is the clear choice. Its 2.3% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core and consistent 1.9% leads elsewhere demonstrate a reliable edge. Even in multicore workloads, where the i5-3350P’s four physical cores might seem advantageous, the i3-6320 wins by the same 1.9% margin in R15, R20, and R23.

The i5-3350P does offer a larger 6 MB L3 cache and four physical cores, which could matter in specific workloads not captured by these benchmarks. However, the fact pack provides no test results where the i5-3350P wins. The i3-6320 also includes integrated graphics and a newer architecture, making it more versatile for systems without a discrete GPU.

The production status difference is notable: the i3-6320 is listed as active, while the i5-3350P has no specified status. This suggests the i3-6320 is the more current option. Users with existing Socket 1155 motherboards may prefer the i5-3350P for platform compatibility, but the data shows the i3-6320 as the better performer.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across most major specifications. The i5-3350P has 4 cores and 4 threads; the i3-6320 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for the i5-3350P and 3.90 GHz for the i3-6320, with a boost clock of 3.30 GHz only on the i5-3350P.

Thermal design power differs by 18 watts: 69 W for the i5-3350P versus 51 W for the i3-6320. Sockets are incompatible, with the i5-3350P on Socket 1155 and the i3-6320 on Socket 1151. Process nodes are 22 nm versus 14 nm, and die sizes are 133 mm² versus 150 mm².

Cache configuration varies only in L3: 6 MB shared on the i5-3350P versus 4 MB shared on the i3-6320. L1 and L2 are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core. Memory support is DDR3 for the i5-3350P and DDR4 for the i3-6320, with the i3-6320 listing a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

The i3-6320 includes Intel HD 530 integrated graphics; the i5-3350P has none listed. Release dates are September 2, 2012, for the i5-3350P and August 31, 2015, for the i3-6320. The i3-6320 is marked as active in production, while the i5-3350P has no production status. Part numbers are SR0WS for the i5-3350P and SR2H9 for the i3-6320.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-6320 wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its single-core performance is consistently higher, with deltas of 1.9% in R15 and R23, and 2.3% in R20. Users running applications that rely on high clock speeds and per-core efficiency—such as lightly threaded productivity tools, older games, or responsive desktop tasks—will see better results from the i3-6320.

The i3-6320 also wins in multicore workloads by 1.9% across R15, R20, and R23. This is surprising given the i5-3350P’s two additional physical cores, but the data is unambiguous. For rendering or encoding tasks measured by Cinebench, the i3-6320 delivers slightly better throughput.

The i3-6320’s integrated graphics provide a practical win for systems without a discrete GPU. The i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed, meaning it requires a separate graphics card for display output. The i3-6320 also has a lower TDP of 51 W versus 69 W, making it more energy-efficient in thermals.

The i5-3350P’s wins are more limited. Its 6 MB L3 cache is 50% larger than the i3-6320’s 4 MB, which could benefit workloads with high cache reuse, though no benchmark in the fact pack demonstrates this. Its four physical cores without Hyper-Threading may also appeal to users who prefer dedicated cores over shared threads, but the benchmark results show no advantage.

The i5-3350P’s average benchmark score of 1088 is 0.3% higher than the i3-6320’s 1085, which is the only metric where it leads. This is a marginal difference and does not appear in any head-to-head test. For users on a Socket 1155 platform, the i5-3350P is the compatible choice, but the data shows the i3-6320 as the stronger performer overall.