Intel Core i3-6320 vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel Core i3-6320 across every benchmark in the comparison set. The Intel Core i5-3470S does not win a single head-to-head test. The largest margin appears in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the i3-6320 scores 53 against the i5-3470S's 52, a 1.9% advantage. The other single-core tests show the same pattern: in Cinebench R20, the i3-6320 posts 222 versus 220 (a 0.9% lead), and in Cinebench R23, it posts 529 versus 524 (also a 0.9% lead).

The multi-core results follow the same direction but with slightly different margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-6320 scores 378 against the i5-3470S's 373, a 1.3% gap. The R20 multi-core test shows 1576 against 1558, a 1.1% difference, and the R23 multi-core test shows 3753 against 3711, again a 1.1% margin. Across all six tests, the i3-6320 wins with margins ranging from 0.9% to 1.9%. These are small but consistent deltas; no test goes the other way.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this picture. The i5-3470S has an average score of 1095, and the i3-6320 has an average score of 1085. That places the i3-6320 slightly behind by average, even though it wins every direct head-to-head test. The explanation lies in the benchmark sets: the i5-3470S includes Geekbench results, while the i3-6320 does not. The i5-3470S records a Geekbench multi-core score of 1726 and a single-core score of 599, which lift its average. Without those additional data points, the comparison across the shared Cinebench tests is unambiguous: the i3-6320 is the faster part in every measured scenario.

Both processors sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Their nearest rivals also cluster tightly. The i5-3470S sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-2670QM, the Intel Core i7-4610M, the Intel Core i7-2710QE, and the Intel Core i7-4600M. The i3-6320 sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-2450P, the Intel Core i5-2320, the Intel Core i5-3335S, and the Intel Core i5-3350P. The performance tier is essentially identical; the differences between the two processors are far smaller than the differences between either processor and the CPUs above or below their tier.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-6320 wins in every direct comparison, so the use-case split is less about which processor dominates a category and more about the magnitude of the advantage. The single-core wins are the most meaningful for everyday responsiveness, as single-threaded performance governs many common tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light productivity. The i3-6320 leads by 1.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and by 0.9% in both R20 and R23 single-core. This is a modest but real edge for any workload that relies on a single thread.

The multi-core wins are slightly larger in absolute terms. The i3-6320 leads by 1.3% in R15 multi-core, and by 1.1% in both R20 and R23 multi-core. For applications that can use all available threads, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, the i3-6320 still comes out ahead, despite having only two physical cores. The i5-3470S offers four physical cores, but the i3-6320's higher base clock of 3.90 GHz (the i5-3470S runs at 2.90 GHz with a 3.60 GHz boost) compensates for the core deficit in these tests.

The i5-3470S has no benchmark wins to point to. Its only advantage in the data lies in the Geekbench results, which are not part of the head-to-head set. The Geekbench multi-core score of 1726 and single-core score of 599 show that the i5-3470S can perform well in that specific test suite, but those results have no direct counterpart for the i3-6320 in this database. Without a head-to-head Geekbench comparison, the recorded data cannot confirm whether the i5-3470S would win, lose, or tie there.

For a user choosing between these two, the i3-6320 is the better option across every test actually measured against each other. The margins are small, so the choice will not dramatically alter performance in most applications, but the direction is consistent: the i3-6320 is the faster processor in this pairing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The i5-3470S is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process, and was released in May 2012. The i3-6320 is built on Skylake, a 14 nm process, and was released in August 2015. The process node shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm is a major architectural difference, allowing the i3-6320 to achieve higher clock speeds at a lower thermal envelope. The i3-6320 has a TDP of 51 watts, while the i5-3470S has a TDP of 65 watts.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i5-3470S has four physical cores and four threads, with no hyper-threading. The i3-6320 has two physical cores and four threads, using hyper-threading to double the thread count. This means the i5-3470S has more physical execution resources, but each individual core on the i3-6320 runs at a much higher clock speed: 3.90 GHz base versus 2.90 GHz base. The i5-3470S can boost up to 3.60 GHz, but that still falls below the i3-6320's constant base clock.

Cache sizes also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the i5-3470S: 6 MB shared, versus 4 MB shared on the i3-6320. This gives the i5-3470S a cache advantage for workloads that benefit from a larger shared pool, though the benchmark results do not show this translating into a win.

Memory support splits by platform. The i5-3470S uses DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus. The i3-6320 uses DDR4 memory, also with a dual-channel bus, and the database records a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s for the i3-6320. The i5-3470S has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The sockets differ as well: the i5-3470S uses Intel Socket 1155, and the i3-6320 uses Intel Socket 1151. These are not interchangeable, so a motherboard choice locks in one processor or the other.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5-3470S carries Intel HD 2500, while the i3-6320 carries Intel HD 530. The newer graphics architecture on the i3-6320 is generally more capable, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part. Both processors support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a distinguishing factor. The i3-6320 has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 150 mm²; the i5-3470S has a die size of 133 mm² but no listed transistor count.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Intel Core i3-6320 as the faster processor in this direct comparison. It wins all six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads, with margins between 0.9% and 1.9%. The consistency of those wins matters more than the size of any individual gap. There is no benchmark in the shared set where the i5-3470S comes out ahead.

The i5-3470S does offer four physical cores and a larger L3 cache, which could theoretically benefit heavily threaded workloads. But the measured results do not support that theory. The i3-6320's higher clock speed and newer architecture overcome the two-core deficit in every multi-core test. The i3-6320 also runs cooler, with a 51 watt TDP against the i5-3470S's 65 watts, and supports newer DDR4 memory with a recorded 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

The choice depends on the platform, not the performance. If the motherboard is Socket 1155, the i5-3470S is the only option of the two. If the motherboard is Socket 1151, the i3-6320 is the only option. But when comparing the processors directly, the i3-6320 is the better performer in every measured category. Its release date of 2015 also means it is the newer part, and its production status is listed as active, while the i5-3470S has no listed production status.

Users who prioritize raw single-thread speed, lower power consumption, or newer memory support should choose the i3-6320. Users who need four physical cores, a larger shared cache, or who are already invested in a Socket 1155 platform should consider the i5-3470S, but they should know that the benchmark data shows it trailing the i3-6320 in all shared tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i3-6320 wins all six head-to-head tests, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core modes.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i3-6320 scores 53 against the i5-3470S's 52, a 1.9% advantage.

Q: Does the i5-3470S have more cores?

A: Yes, the i5-3470S has four physical cores and four threads, while the i3-6320 has two physical cores and four threads.

Q: Why does the i3-6320 win multi-core tests despite having fewer cores?

A: The i3-6320 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the i5-3470S's 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, which compensates for the core deficit in the measured workloads.

Q: What are the memory differences?

A: The i5-3470S supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-6320 supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both use a dual-channel bus.

Q: Are the processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No, the i5-3470S uses Intel Socket 1155, and the i3-6320 uses Intel Socket 1151, so they require different motherboards.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3470S | Intel Core i3-6320 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | Not available |

| TDP | 65 W | 51 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Skylake |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Skylake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | Not available | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 150 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not available | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD 530 |

| Release Date | 2012-05-31 | 2015-08-31 |

| Production Status | Not available | Active |

| Part Number | SR0TA | SR2H9 |