Intel Core i5-2320 vs Intel Core i5-3350P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3350P and Intel Core i5-2320 are two quad-core desktop processors from Intel, both designed for the Intel Socket 1155 platform. The data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy between the two, with the i5-3350P holding a decisive edge across every benchmark recorded. While both CPUs belong to the same core-count category and share a similar market positioning, architectural differences and clock behavior separate them in measurable ways.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3350P wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with a deltaPct ranging from 16.7% to 17%. This is not a marginal victory; it is a substantial generational leap in performance.

In multi-core workloads, the i5-3350P posts a score of 371 in Cinebench R15 multicore, compared to 317 for the i5-2320. That translates to a 17% advantage. The same 17% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-3350P scores 1546 against 1321, and again in Cinebench R23 multicore, with scores of 3681 and 3146 respectively. The consistency of this 17% gap across three different versions of the same benchmark suite indicates that the advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the deltas are slightly smaller. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3350P scores 217, which is 16.7% ahead of the i5-2320's 186. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is 16.9%, with the i5-3350P scoring 519 against 444. The near-identical percentage deltas between single-core and multi-core tests suggest that the i5-3350P's advantage is not dependent on thread scaling; it is a per-core efficiency improvement.

Notably, the i5-2320 has no benchmark data for Cinebench R15 single-core, while the i5-3350P does (52 points). Additionally, the Geekbench results are only available for the i5-3350P, which scores 1730 in multi-core and 584 in single-core. The absence of comparable Geekbench scores for the i5-2320 limits direct comparison, but the Cinebench data is sufficient to establish the trend.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall gap: the i5-3350P averages 1088 across all tests, while the i5-2320 averages 1083. The i5-3350P's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon 220GE with a deltaPct of 0, and it sits 0.2% above the Intel Core i5-2450P and 0.3% above the Intel Core i3-6320. The i5-2320, meanwhile, is 0.1% behind the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A12-9800. Both CPUs occupy the 30th percentile among all CPUs, but the i5-3350P does so with a higher absolute average score.

Architecture Differences

The core difference between these two processors lies in their underlying architectures. The i5-3350P is built on Ivy Bridge, using a 22 nm process node, while the i5-2320 is a Sandy Bridge part fabricated on a 32 nm node. This process shrink is significant: the i5-3350P has a die size of 133 mm², compared to 216 mm² for the i5-2320. The i5-2320 does list its transistor count at 1,160 million, whereas the i5-3350P does not provide a transistor figure in the data.

The process node change has direct implications for power efficiency. The i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts, while the i5-2320 is rated at 95 watts. This 26-watt difference is substantial, especially considering that the i5-3350P delivers higher performance across the board. The newer architecture achieves more work per watt, which is a typical benefit of moving to a smaller process node.

Clock speeds are another differentiator. The i5-3350P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i5-2320 has a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz but an identical boost clock of 3.30 GHz. This means that under single-threaded boost conditions, both CPUs reach the same maximum frequency, yet the i5-3350P still scores 16.9% higher in Cinebench R23 single-core. That gap is attributable to the Ivy Bridge architecture's higher instructions-per-clock (IPC) efficiency compared to Sandy Bridge.

Cache configurations are identical: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same, with DDR3 and dual-channel memory bus. Both use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

A notable feature difference is the integrated graphics. The i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed, while the i5-2320 includes Intel HD 2000. This makes the i5-3350P a CPU-only part, which may require a discrete GPU for any display output, whereas the i5-2320 can drive a display on its own. The i5-3350P's part number is SR0WS, and the i5-2320's is SR02L. The i5-2320 is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5-3350P has no such designation.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-3350P is the superior processor in nearly every measurable way. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with margins between 16.7% and 17%. It does so while consuming 26 watts less power (69W vs 95W) and using a smaller die (133 mm² vs 216 mm²). The architecture advantage from Ivy Bridge over Sandy Bridge is evident in both multi-core and single-core performance, despite both CPUs sharing the same boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

The i5-2320's only advantages are the inclusion of Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics and a slightly earlier release date. It was released on 2011-09-03, while the i5-3350P came later on 2012-09-02. For a user building a system without a dedicated graphics card, the i5-2320's integrated GPU would be a practical benefit. However, for raw compute performance, the i5-3350P is the definitive choice.

Both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close (1088 vs 1083), but the head-to-head deltas show that the i5-3350P is consistently faster in the tests where both were measured. The i5-3350P also has additional benchmark data points (Cinebench R15 single-core, Geekbench multi-core and single-core) that the i5-2320 lacks, further indicating a more complete performance profile.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: 3.10 GHz (i5-3350P) vs 3.00 GHz (i5-2320)
• TDP: 69 W (i5-3350P) vs 95 W (i5-2320)
• Architecture: Ivy Bridge (i5-3350P) vs Sandy Bridge (i5-2320)
• Process Node: 22 nm (i5-3350P) vs 32 nm (i5-2320)
• Die Size: 133 mm² (i5-3350P) vs 216 mm² (i5-2320)
• Transistors: Not listed (i5-3350P) vs 1,160 million (i5-2320)
• Integrated Graphics: None (i5-3350P) vs Intel HD 2000 (i5-2320)
• Production Status: Not listed (i5-3350P) vs End-of-life (i5-2320)
• Release Date: 2012-09-02 (i5-3350P) vs 2011-09-03 (i5-2320)
• Part Number: SR0WS (i5-3350P) vs SR02L (i5-2320)

Identical specifications include: 4 cores, 4 threads, boost clock of 3.30 GHz, Intel Socket 1155, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, desktop market segment, and locked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P is faster in all multi-core benchmarks. It scores 371 vs 317 in Cinebench R15 (17% delta), 1546 vs 1321 in Cinebench R20 (17% delta), and 3681 vs 3146 in Cinebench R23 (17% delta).

Q: Do both processors have the same boost clock?

A: Yes, both have a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. However, the i5-3350P has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to 3.00 GHz for the i5-2320.

Q: Does the i5-3350P have integrated graphics?

A: No, the i5-3350P does not list any integrated graphics. The i5-2320 includes Intel HD 2000.

Q: How do the TDP values compare?

A: The i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts, while the i5-2320 has a TDP of 95 watts. The i5-3350P consumes less power despite being faster.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i5-3350P has an average benchmark score of 1088, and the i5-2320 has an average of 1083. Both are at the 30th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Are the cache sizes identical?

A: Yes, both processors have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3350P wins in every computational benchmark recorded. Its 17% advantage in multi-core tests makes it the better choice for CPU-intensive tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. The consistent 16.7-16.9% lead in single-core tests also favors it in lightly-threaded applications like legacy games or single-threaded productivity tools. The lower TDP of 69 watts makes it more suitable for compact or power-conscious builds, and the smaller die size suggests better thermal density management.

The i5-2320's sole functional win is its integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics. For a system that must operate without a discrete GPU, the i5-2320 provides display output capabilities that the i5-3350P lacks entirely. This makes the i5-2320 viable for basic office work, media playback, or as a low-cost entry point into the Socket 1155 platform, where adding a separate graphics card is not desired. Its earlier release date also means it may be found in older pre-built systems.

In terms of rival positioning, the i5-3350P matches the AMD Athlon 220GE exactly (deltaPct 0) and edges out the Intel Core i5-2450P by 0.2%. The i5-2320 sits 0.1% behind the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A12-9800. For users prioritizing raw compute power and efficiency, the i5-3350P is the clear pick; for those needing an all-in-one CPU with basic graphics output, the i5-2320 is the only option of the two.