Intel Core i5-2320 vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core i5-3470S across every benchmark where both processors were measured. The Intel Core i5-2320 does not win a single head-to-head comparison in the database, while the i5-3470S claims all five available wins. The margin is remarkably uniform, hovering near 15 percent in every test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-2320 scores 317 points against 373 for the i5-3470S, a delta of 15 percent. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap is nearly identical: 1321 for the i5-2320 versus 1558 for the i5-3470S, a 15.2 percent difference. The single-core results tell the same story. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 186 for the older chip and 220 for the newer one, a 15.5 percent deficit for the i5-2320. Cinebench R23 multicore records 3146 versus 3711, again 15.2 percent apart. The R23 single-core test shows 444 versus 524, a 15.3 percent difference.

The consistency of these deltas is noteworthy. Whether the workload is heavily threaded or purely single-threaded, the i5-3470S maintains roughly the same advantage. This suggests the performance gap is not workload-dependent but rather a fundamental throughput difference between the two architectures. The i5-2320 trails by 15 to 15.5 percent in every recorded test, with no outlier results that would indicate a particular strength or weakness in any specific workload type.

The average benchmark score in the database places the i5-2320 at 1083 and the i5-3470S at 1095. This places the i5-2320 alongside the Intel Core i5-3335S (1083, 0 percent delta), the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (1082, 0.1 percent delta), and the AMD A12-9800 (1081, 0.2 percent delta). The i5-3470S sits near the Intel Core i7-2670QM (1096, -0.1 percent delta), the Intel Core i7-2710QE (1096, -0.1 percent delta), and the Intel Core i7-4610M (1094, 0.1 percent delta). Both processors occupy the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they perform in the lower third of the recorded population despite their clear relative difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S wins all five recorded head-to-head benchmarks, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the stronger choice for every workload captured in the database. The i5-2320 does not hold a single recorded advantage. However, the data does allow for a more nuanced interpretation of where each processor fits.

For multi-threaded rendering tasks, the i5-3470S leads by 15 percent in Cinebench R15 multicore (373 versus 317) and by 15.2 percent in both Cinebench R20 multicore (1558 versus 1321) and Cinebench R23 multicore (3711 versus 3146). These are the largest absolute score gaps in the dataset, so any workload that scales across all four cores will favor the i5-3470S by a meaningful margin.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-3470S also leads, with 220 versus 186 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 524 versus 444 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The relative gap is essentially the same as the multi-core results, which means the i5-3470S does not sacrifice single-core performance to achieve its multi-core lead. It is simply faster across the board.

The i5-2320, despite losing every comparison, is not without a place. Its 3.00 GHz base clock is actually higher than the i5-3470S's 2.90 GHz base clock. In workloads that are strictly limited by base frequency and do not boost, the i5-2320 could theoretically hold a small edge, though no benchmark in the database isolates this scenario. The boost clock tells a different story: the i5-3470S boosts to 3.60 GHz, well above the i5-2320's 3.30 GHz limit. The database does not record a test where the i5-2320 wins, so any such advantage remains hypothetical rather than measured.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-2320 is built on Sandy Bridge, while the Intel Core i5-3470S uses Ivy Bridge. This generation gap explains much of the performance difference. Sandy Bridge uses a 32 nm process node from Intel, while Ivy Bridge shrinks to 22 nm. The transistor count reflects this: the i5-2320 packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die, while the i5-3470S uses a smaller 133 mm² die (the database does not list its transistor count). The smaller process node allows the i5-3470S to achieve higher performance while consuming less power.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The i5-2320 has a 95 watt TDP, while the i5-3470S draws only 65 watts. This 30 watt difference is substantial for a desktop platform. The i5-3470S delivers 15 percent higher benchmark scores across the board while drawing nearly a third less power, which is a direct consequence of the 22 nm process versus 32 nm.

Both processors share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither supports hyper-threading. The cache hierarchy is identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Both use dual-channel DDR3 memory support, and both run on Intel Socket 1155 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ. The i5-2320 includes Intel HD 2000, while the i5-3470S steps up to Intel HD 2500. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the performance impact of this difference is not measured here. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-2320 uses part number SR02L and the i5-3470S uses SR0TA.

Release timing also separates them. The i5-2320 arrived in September 2011, while the i5-3470S followed in May 2012, roughly eight months later. The i5-2320 is marked as end-of-life in the database, while production status for the i5-3470S is not recorded.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-3470S is the superior processor in every measured dimension. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas between 15 and 15.5 percent. It does so while consuming 30 fewer watts (65 versus 95) and using a newer, more efficient 22 nm process node. For anyone choosing between these two for a Socket 1155 system, the i5-3470S is the better pick on raw performance and power efficiency.

The i5-2320 is not without merit. It has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz), which could matter in sustained workloads that prevent boosting, though no benchmark in the database validates this. It also uses the same socket, memory support, and PCIe configuration, so it remains a functional drop-in for compatible boards. Its 30th percentile ranking among all CPUs is identical to the i5-3470S, so both sit in the same performance tier relative to the broader market.

That said, there is no workload in the recorded data where the i5-2320 wins. The i5-3470S leads by roughly 15 percent in both single-core and multi-core tests, which means the choice is not about workload type. The i5-3470S is simply a faster chip, and it achieves that speed with substantially lower power draw. The i5-2320 should only be chosen if it is already installed or available at no meaningful trade-off, since the benchmark record offers no scenario where it outperforms the i5-3470S.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S wins all multi-core tests. It scores 373 versus 317 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 1558 versus 1321 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 3711 versus 3146 in Cinebench R23 multicore. Each result is a 15.2 percent advantage.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i5-3470S leads in single-core as well. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 220 versus 186 (15.5 percent), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 524 versus 444 (15.3 percent). The gap is nearly identical to the multi-core results.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither supports hyper-threading. They also share the same cache layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i5-2320 has a 95 watt TDP, while the i5-3470S is rated at 65 watts. The i5-3470S achieves 15 percent higher benchmark scores while using 30 watts less power.

Q: Are they compatible with the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1155. They also share dual-channel DDR3 memory support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both lack ECC memory support and unlocked multipliers.

Q: What are the architecture differences between them?

A: The i5-2320 uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process technology with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-3470S uses Ivy Bridge on 22 nm with a 133 mm² die size and a different integrated GPU, Intel HD 2500 versus HD 2000. The i5-3470S also has a lower base clock at 2.90 GHz, boosting to 3.80 GHz, well above the i5-2320's 3.30 GHz boost limit.