Intel Core i5-2450P vs Intel Core i5-3350P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3350P and the Intel Core i5-2450P are two quad-core desktop processors from Intel that share the same LGA 1155 socket but represent different architectural generations. The data reveals a fascinating split: the newer Ivy Bridge-based i5-3350P dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the older Sandy Bridge-based i5-2450P fights back in Geekbench tests. With average benchmark scores of 1088 and 1086 respectively, these two CPUs are separated by a razor-thin 0.2% margin, making the choice between them far less obvious than their generation gap might suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern across the Cinebench suite, with the i5-3350P claiming victory in all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3350P scores 371 against the i5-2450P's 366, a 1.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap, with scores of 52 and 51 respectively, translating to a 2% lead for the Ivy Bridge part. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-3350P maintains its edge with a multi-core score of 1546 versus 1525 (1.4% ahead) and a single-core score of 217 versus 215 (0.9% ahead). The R23 results reinforce the trend: the i5-3350P scores 3681 in multi-core and 519 in single-core, compared to the i5-2450P's 3632 and 512, yielding 1.3% and 1.4% leads respectively.

The i5-2450P, however, turns the tables in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 1796 against the i5-3350P's 1730, a substantial 3.7% margin in its favor. The Geekbench single-core test also goes to the i5-2450P, with scores of 590 versus 584, a 1% advantage. This creates an interesting dichotomy where the Sandy Bridge chip outperforms its successor in one benchmark suite while losing in another. The win count reflects this split: the i5-3350P takes 6 wins out of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-2450P's two Geekbench victories are notably decisive, especially the multi-core result where it leads by nearly four percentage points.

What makes these numbers particularly intriguing is the consistency of the Cinebench results. The i5-3350P's lead ranges only from 0.9% to 2% across all six tests, suggesting a uniform architectural advantage rather than workload-specific optimization. Meanwhile, the i5-2450P's Geekbench multi-core win is its largest margin in any test, indicating that this benchmark suite exercises the CPU in a way that favors the older architecture's design.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data suggests a clear workload split between these two processors. The i5-3350P is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering and compute workloads, where it consistently outperforms its rival across every version of the test. Its 2% single-core advantage in Cinebench R15 is its largest win, suggesting that the Ivy Bridge architecture's improvements to instruction handling provide measurable benefits in these specific tasks. The i5-3350P's 1.4% and 1.3% multi-core leads in R15 and R23 respectively indicate that its architectural efficiency translates well to fully threaded workloads.

The i5-2450P, conversely, demonstrates its strength in Geekbench, particularly in multi-core performance where it leads by 3.7%. This is a significant margin, especially considering that the i5-3350P wins all other multi-core tests. The Geekbench suite evidently rewards the i5-2450P's higher clock speeds — its base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz exceed the i5-3350P's 3.10 GHz and 3.30 GHz respectively. This clock advantage appears to be the deciding factor in Geekbench, where the older architecture's higher frequencies overcome its older design.

Users running applications similar to Cinebench — such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or other heavily threaded creative workloads — would find the i5-3350P's consistent edge preferable. Conversely, users whose software behaves more like Geekbench, which includes a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tests, might see better results from the i5-2450P despite its older architecture. The data implies that neither CPU is universally superior; rather, the optimal choice depends on which benchmark suite better represents the user's actual workload.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, despite their similar outward specifications. The i5-3350P uses the Ivy Bridge architecture built on a 22 nm process node, while the i5-2450P uses the older Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm node. This process shrink explains the significant differences in physical characteristics: the i5-3350P has a die size of 133 mm², whereas the i5-2450P's die measures 216 mm². The i5-2450P also carries 1,160 million transistors, a figure not specified for the i5-3350P, though the smaller die size suggests the newer chip achieves greater density.

The power consumption difference is striking. The i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts, while the i5-2450P is rated at 95 watts. This 26-watt gap is particularly notable given that the i5-3350P delivers superior Cinebench performance while consuming less power, proof of the efficiency gains from the 22 nm manufacturing process. The lower TDP also implies reduced heat output and potentially quieter operation, though the data does not specify cooling requirements.

Both processors share identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. They also both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration and feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither includes integrated graphics, and both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier. The release dates show the i5-2450P arriving first on January 29, 2012, with the i5-3350P following on September 2, 2012, a gap of roughly seven months.

The clock speed difference favors the i5-2450P, which runs at 3.20 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost, compared to the i5-3350P's 3.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. This 100-200 MHz advantage partially offsets the architectural improvements of Ivy Bridge, explaining why the i5-2450P manages to win in Geekbench despite the i5-3350P's newer design and superior Cinebench results.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture for potential buyers. The i5-3350P wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, with its largest margin being 2% in single-core R15. Its average benchmark score of 1088 edges out the i5-2450P's 1086, and both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all processors. The i5-3350P also achieves this with a significantly lower TDP of 69 watts versus 95 watts, making it the more efficient choice.

However, the i5-2450P's Geekbench victories cannot be dismissed. Its 3.7% multi-core lead is the largest margin in any head-to-head test, and its higher clock speeds provide a tangible advantage in that benchmark suite. Users whose workloads align with Geekbench's testing methodology might prefer the i5-2450P despite its older architecture and higher power consumption.

From a purely performance-per-watt perspective, the i5-3350P is the clear winner, delivering better results in most tests while consuming 26 fewer watts. The architectural efficiency of Ivy Bridge is evident in its Cinebench dominance, and its lower TDP makes it a more attractive option for systems where power and thermal management are priorities. The i5-2450P remains a viable choice for those prioritizing Geekbench-style performance, but the data suggests the i5-3350P is the superior processor for the majority of workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P has an average benchmark score of 1088, compared to the Intel Core i5-2450P's 1086, giving the i5-3350P a 0.2% advantage.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The i5-3350P scores 3681 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i5-2450P scores 3632, resulting in a 1.3% lead for the i5-3350P.

Q: What is the largest margin of victory in any head-to-head benchmark?

A: The i5-2450P wins Geekbench multi-core by 3.7%, scoring 1796 against the i5-3350P's 1730, which is the largest delta of any test.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Yes, both the i5-3350P and i5-2450P support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though specific memory bandwidth figures are not provided.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts, while the i5-2450P has a TDP of 95 watts, making the i5-3350P 26 watts more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The i5-2450P has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, both higher than the i5-3350P's 3.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3350P | Intel Core i5-2450P |

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

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 69 W | 95 W |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 216 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,160 million |

| Release Date | September 2, 2012 | January 29, 2012 |

| Part Number | SR0WS | SR0G1 |