Intel Core i5-3320M vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

The Intel Core i7-870S and Intel Core i5-3320M are both end-of-life processors, but they represent two very different design philosophies: one is a high-TDP desktop part from the Nehalem era, while the other is a low-power mobile chip from the Ivy Bridge generation. Benchmark results show a consistent, if narrow, victory for the older desktop i7 across every single tested workload, despite its older architecture. The data indicates the i7-870S wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 4.0% to 4.5%. Meanwhile, the i5-3320M counters with a significantly lower thermal envelope and integrated graphics, making it the more versatile choice for portable systems. This comparison is less about raw performance dominance and more about what each processor sacrifices to achieve its goals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-870S comes in Cinebench R20 single-core testing, where it scores 139 against the i5-3320M's 133, a 4.5% advantage. This is notable because single-core performance is often considered a strong suit of newer architectures; here, the older Nehalem chip's higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz appears to offset any IPC gains from Ivy Bridge.

In multi-threaded workloads, the gap narrows slightly but remains consistent. The i7-870S leads in Cinebench R15 multicore with 236 points versus 227 (4% ahead), and in Cinebench R20 multicore with 987 versus 948 (4.1% ahead). This pattern holds in the more demanding Cinebench R23 test, where the i7-870S scores 2350 against the i5-3320M's 2258, again a 4.1% delta. The consistent 4% margin across all multi-core tests suggests that the i7-870S's four physical cores and eight threads provide a structural advantage over the i5-3320M's two cores and four threads, even though the mobile chip benefits from a newer 22 nm process.

The i5-3320M does have one benchmark in its arsenal that the i7-870S lacks: Geekbench results. It scores 1146 in Geekbench multicore and 589 in singlecore, but without a corresponding i7-870S score, these numbers cannot be used for a direct comparison. What the head-to-head data does show is a clean sweep: the i7-870S wins all five tests, while the i5-3320M records zero wins. However, the margin is slim—never exceeding 4.5%—which indicates that the i5-3320M is far from being a pushover, especially when considering its much lower power draw.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both processors sit at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are both firmly in the entry-level performance tier today. The i7-870S's average benchmark score of 809 places it alongside the AMD A10-6800K (also 809, 0% delta) and just ahead of the AMD Athlon X4 850 (806, 0.4% delta). The i5-3320M's average of 803 puts it in similar company, with the AMD A10-7700K (801, 0.2% delta) and Intel Xeon E5530 (801, 0.3% delta) as its nearest rivals. These numbers reinforce that while the i7-870S is technically faster, the real-world difference between these two chips is marginal in the context of their respective peer groups.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial. The i7-870S is built on Intel's Nehalem architecture (codename Lynnfield) using a 45 nm process node, while the i5-3320M uses the newer Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is significant—the i7-870S packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die, whereas the i5-3320M does not list transistor count but occupies a much smaller 118 mm² die. The newer process allows the i5-3320M to achieve a lower TDP of 35 watts compared to the i7-870S's 82 watts, a dramatic difference for mobile use.

Core and cache configurations also differ sharply. The i7-870S offers four physical cores with eight threads, backed by 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-3320M is a dual-core part with four threads and only 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache layout, but the i7-870S's larger L3 pool is likely a key factor in its benchmark lead. Memory support is dual-channel DDR3 for both, and neither supports ECC memory.

Connectivity and integrated graphics present another clear split. The i7-870S is a desktop processor with PCIe Gen 2 support (16 lanes, CPU only) but no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The i5-3320M, being a mobile part, includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, making it a self-contained solution for laptops. The i7-870S uses the Intel Socket 1156 platform, while the i5-3320M is designed for Intel BGA 1023 (soldered, not socketed). Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are locked for overclocking.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-870S wins all multi-core tests. It scores 236 in Cinebench R15, 987 in R20, and 2350 in R23, compared to the i5-3320M's 227, 948, and 2258, respectively. The delta is 4-4.1% across these tests.

Q: Does the i5-3320M have any performance advantage?

A: In the head-to-head benchmarks provided, the i5-3320M does not win a single test. However, it has Geekbench scores (1146 multicore, 589 singlecore) that are not available for the i7-870S, so no direct comparison can be made on that workload.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i7-870S has a TDP of 82 watts, while the i5-3320M is rated at 35 watts. This makes the i5-3320M significantly more power-efficient, which is critical for mobile use.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i7-870S has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU. The i5-3320M includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

Q: Are they from the same generation?

A: No. The i7-870S is from the Nehalem generation (Lynnfield codename) released in 2010, while the i5-3320M is from the Ivy Bridge generation released in 2012.

Q: How do they compare to other CPUs in their performance tier?

A: Both are at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs. The i7-870S's average score of 809 matches the AMD A10-6800K, while the i5-3320M's 803 is within 0.2% of the AMD A10-7700K.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The i7-870S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3320M has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close (2.67 GHz vs 2.60 GHz), but boost clocks differ (3.60 GHz vs 3.30 GHz). The i7-870S has a TDP of 82 watts versus 35 watts for the i5-3320M. Sockets are incompatible: LGA 1156 for the i7-870S versus BGA 1023 for the i5-3320M.

Architecture and process node show the generational gap: Nehalem on 45 nm versus Ivy Bridge on 22 nm. The i7-870S has 8 MB of L3 cache, while the i5-3320M has only 3 MB. Die size is 296 mm² versus 118 mm² (transistor count is only listed for the i7-870S at 774 million). The i7-870S supports PCIe Gen 2 (16 lanes, CPU only), while the i5-3320M lists no PCIe data. Integrated graphics are absent on the i7-870S but present as Intel HD 4000 on the i5-3320M. Market segment differs: Desktop for the i7-870S, Mobile for the i5-3320M. Release dates are 2010-07-18 for the i7-870S and 2012-05-31 for the i5-3320M. Part numbers are SLBQ7 (i7-870S) and SR0MY (i5-3320M).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870S wins on every benchmark where both have data. It is the clear choice for raw computational throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, in Cinebench workloads. Its 8 MB of L3 cache and 4-core/8-thread configuration give it a structural edge that the i5-3320M cannot overcome. For desktop users who prioritize maximum performance and have a discrete graphics card, the i7-870S is the superior part.

The Intel Core i5-3320M wins on efficiency and integration. Its 35-watt TDP is less than half of the i7-870S's 82 watts, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where heat and battery life are paramount. The inclusion of Intel HD 4000 graphics eliminates the need for a separate GPU, simplifying system design and reducing cost. Its smaller die size (118 mm²) and newer 22 nm process also point to better manufacturing efficiency. For a mobile system where performance per watt matters more than peak performance, the i5-3320M is the practical winner.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i7-870S is the faster processor in every measurable head-to-head benchmark, with a consistent 4-4.5% lead across all Cinebench tests. This is despite being an older, larger, and more power-hungry design. Its four cores, eight threads, and larger L3 cache provide a performance edge that the i5-3320M's newer architecture cannot fully overcome.

However, the i5-3320M is not a failure by any measure. It delivers 95-96% of the i7-870S's performance while consuming less than half the power (35 watts vs 82 watts) and integrating graphics. For a laptop user, that trade-off is entirely reasonable. The i5-3320M is also a more modern design, built on a 22 nm process that was two generations ahead of the i7-870S's 45 nm node.

The verdict depends entirely on the use case. If you are building a desktop system and need every bit of performance from this performance tier, the i7-870S is the winner based on benchmark scores alone. If you need a mobile processor that balances adequate performance with low power draw and integrated graphics, the i5-3320M is the better choice. Neither chip is competitive in the modern market—both sit at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs—but within their own contexts, each serves a distinct purpose. The i7-870S wins the performance crown; the i5-3320M wins the efficiency and mobility crown.