Intel Core i5-2450P vs Intel Core i5-3335S Comparison

# The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-2450P outperforms the Intel Core i5-3335S in every single head-to-head test, winning all seven comparisons. The i5-2450P leads by margins ranging from 5% to 16.8%, with the largest advantages appearing in Cinebench tests. Its average benchmark score of 1086 places it just above the i5-3335S's 1083, though both processors sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs.

For users who prioritize raw processing speed, the i5-2450P is the clear choice. It delivers consistently higher scores across single-core and multi-core workloads alike. The i5-3335S, however, offers a different trade-off: a lower 65W TDP compared to 95W, along with integrated graphics. Those who need a drop-in upgrade without a discrete GPU or who operate in power-constrained systems may find the i5-3335S more suitable despite its lower performance. The data shows no scenario where the i5-3335S wins a benchmark, so the decision hinges entirely on power and graphics requirements rather than speed.

# Where Each One Wins

The i5-2450P wins everywhere the data measures performance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 366 versus 314 for the i5-3335S, a 16.6% advantage. The gap persists in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1525 vs 1310, 16.4% ahead) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3632 vs 3121, 16.4% ahead). Single-core results tell the same story: the i5-2450P leads by 16.8% in R20 single-core (215 vs 184) and 16.4% in R23 single-core (512 vs 440).

The i5-3335S's only advantages are qualitative. It features integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), which the i5-2450P lacks entirely. Its 65W TDP is substantially lower than the i5-2450P's 95W. The i5-3335S also uses a newer 22nm process node versus 32nm. These differences matter for system builders who want a compact, low-power build with no discrete GPU. But in terms of benchmark scores, the i5-3335S does not win a single test.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel architectures. The i5-2450P uses Sandy Bridge, built on a 32nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-3335S uses Ivy Bridge, built on a 22nm process with 1,480 million transistors on a smaller 160 mm² die. The newer architecture packs more transistors into less space, which explains the i5-3335S's lower power consumption despite similar core counts.

Both chips have four cores and four threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, with no ECC support. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The critical difference beyond architecture is integrated graphics. The i5-3335S includes Intel HD 4000, while the i5-2450P has no integrated graphics at all. The i5-2450P compensates with higher clock speeds: a 3.20 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost, versus 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost for the i5-3335S. The i5-2450P's clock advantage appears to outweigh the architectural improvements of Ivy Bridge in every benchmark.

# FAQ

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

A: The i5-2450P wins all multi-core tests. It scores 366 vs 314 in Cinebench R15, 1525 vs 1310 in R20, and 3632 vs 3121 in R23. The margin is consistently around 16.4-16.6%.

Q: Does the i5-3335S have any performance advantage?

A: No. Across all seven head-to-head benchmarks, the i5-3335S wins zero tests. Its best relative showing is a 5% deficit in Geekbench single-core (562 vs 590).

Q: What does the i5-3335S offer instead of performance?

A: It offers a 65W TDP versus 95W for the i5-2450P, plus integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. The i5-2450P has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall standing?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1086 for the i5-2450P and 1083 for the i5-3335S. Their nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-6320, which sits between them at 1085.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and expansion?

A: Both support DDR3 over a dual-channel bus, both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use the Intel Socket 1155.

Q: Which processor has a newer manufacturing process?

A: The i5-3335S uses a 22nm process with 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The i5-2450P uses a 32nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single-core margin belongs to Cinebench R20, where the i5-2450P scores 215 against 184 for the i5-3335S — a 16.8% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 16.4% difference (512 vs 440), and R15 single-core data is not available for the i5-3335S, so the comparison rests on the two newer tests.

Multi-core results follow the same pattern. Cinebench R15 multi-core gives the i5-2450P a 16.6% win (366 vs 314). R20 multi-core shows 1525 vs 1310, a 16.4% margin. R23 multi-core repeats that exact 16.4% gap with scores of 3632 and 3121. These consistent margins suggest the clock speed difference between the two chips translates directly into proportional performance gains across different Cinebench versions.

Geekbench results show narrower advantages. In multi-core, the i5-2450P scores 1796 versus 1647, a 9% lead. In single-core, it scores 590 versus 562, a 5% lead. These smaller margins indicate that Geekbench's workload mix is less sensitive to the i5-2450P's higher clocks, though the direction remains the same.

The i5-2450P wins all seven head-to-head tests. The i5-3335S records zero wins. The average benchmark scores reflect this: 1086 for the i5-2450P versus 1083 for the i5-3335S, a difference of only 0.3%. The i5-2450P's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3350P at 1088 (0.1% higher), while the i5-3335S's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-2320 at 1083 (0% difference). Both chips occupy the same performance tier despite the i5-2450P's consistent head-to-head victories.

# Specification Differences

The i5-2450P has a 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.50 GHz boost clock. The i5-3335S runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. Both have four cores and four threads. The i5-2450P carries a 95W TDP, while the i5-3335S is rated at 65W. This is the single largest specification gap beyond clocks.

The architecture differs: Sandy Bridge for the i5-2450P, Ivy Bridge for the i5-3335S. The process node advances from 32nm to 22nm. Transistor count rises from 1,160 million to 1,480 million, while die size shrinks from 216 mm² to 160 mm². The i5-3335S includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics; the i5-2450P has none. Both support DDR3, dual-channel memory, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use Intel Socket 1155. The i5-3335S released on 2012-10-31, about nine months after the i5-2450P's 2012-01-29 launch. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-2450P has a part number of SR0G1; the i5-3335S part number is not listed.