Intel Core i5-3330 vs Intel Core i5-4460T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460T and Intel Core i5-3330 are both quad-core desktop processors from Intel, but they target very different priorities. The data shows a clean split: the i5-3330 is the outright performance winner in every benchmark recorded, while the i5-4460T counters with dramatically lower power consumption and a more modern feature set. This is not a close contest in raw speed—the i5-3330 wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head benchmarks—but the i5-4460T’s 35W TDP makes it a compelling choice for low-power or compact builds where energy efficiency trumps peak throughput.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3330 wins everywhere that raw computational output matters. In the head-to-head comparisons, it takes all five benchmarks, with deltas ranging from -10.8% to -11.2% against the i5-4460T. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5-3330 scores 206 versus 183 for the i5-4460T, an 11.2% advantage. Multicore results are nearly identical in margin: Cinebench R15 shows 351 vs 313 (-10.8%), and Cinebench R23 shows 3486 vs 3109 (-10.8%). This consistent 10-11% lead across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads indicates the i5-3330 simply has a higher sustained clock capability—its 3.00 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost clocks are substantially higher than the i5-4460T’s 1.90 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i5-4460T wins on efficiency and platform modernity. Its 35W TDP is less than half the i5-3330’s 77W TDP. That power envelope is the defining characteristic of the 4460T—it is designed to run cool and quiet in small form factor systems. The 4460T also uses the newer Haswell architecture on socket 1150, while the i5-3330 is Ivy Bridge on socket 1155. The 4460T pairs with Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, whereas the i5-3330 has the older Intel HD 2500. For a builder prioritizing a low-power always-on machine or a silent HTPC, the 4460T’s wins are qualitative but decisive.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 22 nm process node, but they come from different generations. The i5-4460T is Haswell (Core i5, Haswell generation), while the i5-3330 is Ivy Bridge (Core i5, Ivy Bridge generation). Haswell is the newer microarchitecture, which typically brings better instruction-per-clock efficiency and improved integrated graphics. The i5-4460T has a die size of 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors; the i5-3330 has a smaller die at 133 mm², and the fact pack does not list its transistor count.

Cache configurations are identical: both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is the same generation—DDR3 in dual-channel mode—but the i5-4460T specifies 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the i5-3330’s bandwidth is not listed. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory.

The biggest practical architectural differences are the integrated graphics and the socket. The i5-4460T uses Intel HD 4600, a more capable iGPU than the Intel HD 2500 found in the i5-3330. The 4460T is on socket 1150, which is a generation newer than the 1155 socket used by the 3330. The 4460T’s part number is SR1S7, and the 3330’s is SR0RQ. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3330 is consistently faster. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 3486 versus 3109 for the i5-4460T, a 10.8% lead. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the margin is 1464 vs 1305 (-10.9%).

Q: Is the i5-4460T worth considering at all given it loses every benchmark?

A: Yes, if power consumption is your primary concern. The i5-4460T has a 35W TDP compared to the i5-3330’s 77W TDP. That makes the 4460T a better fit for low-power builds, compact systems, or any scenario where heat output and electricity draw matter more than a 10-11% performance deficit.

Q: Do these CPUs have the same cache layout?

A: Yes, both feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The cache hierarchy is identical between the two.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4460T. It integrates Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3330 comes with Intel HD 2500. This is a meaningful difference for systems that will rely on the iGPU for display output or light media tasks.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-4460T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3330 uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the performance difference in single-core tests?

A: The i5-3330 leads by about 11%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 492 versus 438 for the i5-4460T. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 206 and 183, respectively.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several measurable specifications. The i5-4460T has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, while the i5-3330 operates at a base of 3.00 GHz and boosts to 3.20 GHz. The i5-4460T has a TDP of 35W; the i5-3330 has a TDP of 77W. Their sockets differ: the 4460T is on Intel Socket 1150, and the 3330 is on Intel Socket 1155.

The architectures are different generations—Haswell for the 4460T and Ivy Bridge for the 3330. The 4460T has a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors; the 3330 has a die size of 133 mm² with no transistor count listed. Memory bandwidth is listed at 25.6 GB/s for the 4460T, while the 3330’s is not specified. Integrated graphics are the Intel HD 4600 on the 4460T versus Intel HD 2500 on the 3330. The i5-4460T was released on 2014-02-28 and is marked as end-of-life; the i5-3330 was released on 2012-09-02 with no production status given. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, support DDR3 dual-channel memory, and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the i5-3330 wins every single test, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3330 scores 351 against 313 for the i5-4460T, a -10.8% delta from the perspective of the 4460T. Cinebench R20 multicore shows the same story: 1464 vs 1305, a -10.9% gap. The single-core tests follow the pattern exactly. Cinebench R20 single-core has the i5-3330 at 206 and the i5-4460T at 183, a -11.2% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core is 492 vs 438, a -11.0% delta.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Whether the workload is single-threaded or fully multi-threaded, the i5-3330 holds roughly an 11% advantage across the board. This suggests the performance gap is driven by clock speed rather than architectural efficiency—the i5-3330’s 3.00 GHz base clock is 57.9% higher than the i5-4460T’s 1.90 GHz base, and its 3.20 GHz boost is 18.5% higher than the 2.70 GHz boost. The i5-4460T’s newer Haswell architecture narrows the gap somewhat, but it cannot overcome the clock disadvantage. In aggregate, the i5-3330 has an average benchmark score of 1200, placing it in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-4460T scores 1190 on average, landing in the 33rd percentile. The i5-3330’s nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE (identical score), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G (0.2% faster), and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B (0.4% slower). The i5-4460T’s nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6234 (0.1% faster), the Intel Core i7-8665UE (0.2% faster), and the Intel Core i3-4170 (0.3% faster).

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors comes down to a single question: do you need low power or maximum performance? The Intel Core i5-3330 is the better processor for anyone who wants the most compute throughput from a quad-core Ivy Bridge chip. It wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head benchmarks with a consistent 10.8% to 11.2% margin, and its higher clock speeds (3.00 GHz base, 3.20 GHz boost) deliver real-world benefits in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. Its 77W TDP is higher, but that is the cost of the performance it provides.

The Intel Core i5-4460T is the better choice for builders who prioritize energy efficiency. Its 35W TDP is less than half that of the i5-3330, making it suitable for passively cooled systems, small form factor PCs, or any build where power draw and heat generation are the primary constraints. The 4460T also offers the newer Haswell architecture, a more capable Intel HD 4600 iGPU, and support for socket 1150 motherboards. The 11% performance deficit is real, but it may be an acceptable trade for a system that sips power and runs silently.

Data suggests the i5-3330 is the superior general-purpose desktop processor. The i5-4460T is a specialized part for a specific use case—low-power computing—and it excels at that role. Pick the 3330 for performance, the 4460T for efficiency. There is no wrong answer, only the wrong application for each chip.