Intel Core i3-7300 vs Intel Core i5-3330S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent and decisive victory for the Intel Core i3-7300 across every recorded test. Out of five shared benchmarks, the i3-7300 wins all five, with no wins for the Intel Core i5-3330S. The margins are remarkably uniform, hovering around 14% in the i3-7300's favor.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-7300 scores 388 against the i5-3330S's 335, a difference of 13.7%. This is notable because the i5-3330S has four physical cores while the i3-7300 has only two, yet the i3's higher clock speed compensates. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the gap remains nearly identical at 13.8%, with scores of 1619 and 1396 respectively. The i3-7300 maintains this edge in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test as well, scoring 3856 versus 3326, again a 13.7% advantage.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-7300 posts 228 points, which is 14% ahead of the i5-3330S's 196. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a 13.8% lead for the i3-7300, with scores of 544 and 469. The consistency of these deltas across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this pattern. The i5-3330S has an average benchmark score of 1128 across all recorded tests, while the i3-7300 averages 1115. Despite the i3-7300 winning every head-to-head comparison, its average score is slightly lower because the averaging includes additional tests not shared between the two processors, such as Geekbench results for the i5-3330S. The i5-3330S has Geekbench multi-core and single-core scores of 1625 and 549 respectively, tests that the i3-7300 does not have recorded. This explains the apparent discrepancy between the head-to-head results and the average scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300 wins all five shared benchmarks. It has 5 wins against 0 for the Intel Core i5-3330S.

Q: What is the typical performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: The i3-7300 leads by approximately 13.7% to 13.8% in multi-core tests. Specifically, Cinebench R15 shows a 13.7% delta, Cinebench R20 shows 13.8%, and Cinebench R23 shows 13.7%.

Q: How does single-core performance compare between the two?

A: The i3-7300 is about 14% faster in single-core tests. Cinebench R20 single-core shows a 14% difference, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 13.8% difference.

Q: Does the i5-3330S have any benchmark where it wins?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows zero wins for the i5-3330S across all five shared tests.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-3330S has an average benchmark score of 1128, while the i3-7300 averages 1115. However, this includes tests not shared between the two, like the Geekbench results only available for the i5-3330S.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The i5-3330S ranks in the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, while the i3-7300 ranks in the 31st percentile. This puts them in a similar overall tier despite the head-to-head differences.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-3330S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Core i3-7300 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance and efficiency differences.

Core configuration differs significantly. The i5-3330S has 4 cores and 4 threads, whereas the i3-7300 has 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Despite having half the physical cores, the i3-7300 still wins in multi-threaded tests, which indicates that its per-core performance is substantially higher. The base clock speeds reflect this: the i3-7300 runs at 4.00 GHz, while the i5-3330S runs at 2.70 GHz with a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The i3-7300 has no boost clock, meaning it operates at a fixed 4.00 GHz.

Cache sizes also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i5-3330S at 6 MB versus 4 MB on the i3-7300. The i5-3330S has a die size of 133 mm², while the i3-7300's die size is not recorded.

Memory support is another clear differentiator. The i5-3330S supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-7300 supports DDR4 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-3330S features Intel HD 2500, while the i3-7300 features Intel HD 630. The newer iGPU on the i3-7300 likely offers better display and media capabilities, though no specific graphics benchmarks are in the data.

Socket compatibility is not interchangeable. The i5-3330S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-7300 uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they require different motherboards. The i5-3330S was released in September 2012, while the i3-7300 came later in January 2017. The i3-7300 is listed as having an active production status, while the i5-3330S does not have a recorded production status.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-7300 is the stronger processor in every shared test. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks with deltas ranging from 13.7% to 14%. This holds true for both multi-core and single-core workloads, which means the i3-7300 offers better performance across the board.

The i5-3330S does have advantages in specific areas that are not directly tested in the head-to-head benchmarks. It has more physical cores (4 versus 2), a larger L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB), and a larger die size (133 mm²). However, these advantages do not translate into benchmark wins against the i3-7300. The i3-7300's higher clock speed and newer architecture overcome the core count deficit.

The i3-7300 also has a lower TDP at 51 watts compared to 77 watts for the i5-3330S. This means the i3-7300 delivers better performance while consuming less power, though the data does not include direct power consumption measurements. The i3-7300's use of DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth is another modern advantage over the i5-3330S's DDR3 support.

For users who prioritize raw benchmark performance, the i3-7300 is the clear choice. Its 13.7% to 14% lead in every test makes it the better option for both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The i5-3330S, while having more cores, cannot overcome the clock speed and architecture gap.

However, the i5-3330S is not without merit. Its 4 physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache suggest it may handle certain workloads with high thread counts better than the head-to-head benchmarks indicate, though the recorded data does not show any such advantage. The i5-3330S also has a higher average benchmark score of 1128 versus 1115, though this is influenced by Geekbench results that the i3-7300 lacks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3330S | Intel Core i3-7300 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 77 W | 51 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD 630 |

| Release Date | September 2012 | January 2017 |

| Production Status | Not recorded | Active |

| Part Number | SR0RR | SR359 |

The two processors also share several specifications. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are manufactured by Intel and target the desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-7300 wins in every measured benchmark category. It is faster in Cinebench R15 multi-core (388 versus 335), Cinebench R20 multi-core (1619 versus 1396), Cinebench R20 single-core (228 versus 196), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3856 versus 3326), and Cinebench R23 single-core (544 versus 469). The deltas are consistent at 13.7% to 14%, showing no workload where the i5-3330S closes the gap.

Given this data, the i3-7300 is the better choice for nearly any use case. Its 14% single-core lead makes it superior for tasks that depend on per-core performance, such as everyday desktop responsiveness, light productivity, and older or less-threaded applications. Its 13.7% to 13.8% multi-core lead means it also handles multi-threaded workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation better, despite having fewer physical cores.

The i5-3330S's only recorded advantage lies outside the head-to-head tests. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1625 and single-core score of 549 are not comparable to the i3-7300 because the i3-7300 lacks Geekbench results in the database. Its average benchmark score of 1128 slightly exceeds the i3-7300's 1115, but this is driven by the inclusion of Geekbench data and does not reflect any tested superiority.

For users with existing Socket 1155 motherboards, the i5-3330S may be a reasonable drop-in upgrade. But for new builds or upgrades where the motherboard can be chosen, the i3-7300 offers better performance in every recorded test, lower power consumption (51 W versus 77 W), and modern memory support (DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth versus DDR3). The i3-7300's active production status also suggests availability, while the i5-3330S's status is not recorded.

The i5-3330S does offer more physical cores (4 versus 2), which could theoretically benefit workloads that scale perfectly with core count and are insensitive to clock speed. However, the benchmark data does not show any such benefit. In all recorded multi-core tests, the i3-7300 wins. The larger L3 cache on the i5-3330S (6 MB versus 4 MB) also does not translate into benchmark wins.

In summary, the i3-7300 is the winner across every shared benchmark, making it the superior choice for performance-oriented users. The i5-3330S retains value only for those specifically needing its socket compatibility or its higher core count in unmeasured scenarios. The data clearly favors the newer, faster i3-7300.