Intel Core i5-3330 vs Intel Pentium Gold G6600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-3330. Across five Cinebench tests, the Pentium Gold G6600 takes all five wins with margins ranging from 2.8% to 3.0%. While the differences are not large, they are consistent, and consistency across every workload indicates a genuine performance edge rather than a measurement artifact.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Pentium Gold G6600 scores 361 against the Core i5-3330's 351, a 2.8% advantage. The multicore margin expands slightly in Cinebench R20, where the Pentium Gold G6600 posts 1507 versus 1464, a 2.9% lead. The same 2.9% gap appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, with the Pentium Gold G6600 at 212 and the Core i5-3330 at 206. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the largest absolute difference: the Pentium Gold G6600 reaches 3589 while the Core i5-3330 manages 3486, a 3.0% edge. Finally, Cinebench R23 single-core sees the Pentium Gold G6600 at 506 against 492, another 2.8% win.

The fact that the Pentium Gold G6600 wins both single-core and multicore tests is notable. It holds a 2.8% to 2.9% advantage in single-threaded workloads and a 2.8% to 3.0% advantage in multi-threaded workloads. The Core i5-3330 cannot claim a single benchmark victory in this comparison, which is a decisive outcome despite the modest percentage deltas.

Where Each One Wins

For the Pentium Gold G6600, the wins are comprehensive: all five Cinebench tests, spanning both single-core and multicore scenarios. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 multicore at 3.0%, while the smallest is 2.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore and Cinebench R23 single-core. The data indicates that the Pentium Gold G6600 should be preferred for any workload that resembles these rendering benchmarks, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The Core i5-3330, by contrast, has zero wins in the recorded data. It is not faster in any test, single-core or multicore. Its closest result is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it trails by 10 points (351 versus 361). The largest deficit is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it falls 103 points short (3486 versus 3589). The Core i5-3330's average benchmark score is 1200, placing it in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, the same percentile as the Pentium Gold G6600. The Pentium Gold G6600's average benchmark score is 1235, which is 2.9% higher than the Core i5-3330's 1200.

In terms of nearest rivals, the Pentium Gold G6600 sits alongside the Intel Core i3-8109U (identical average score of 1235, 0% delta), the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 (1232, 0.2% faster), the Intel Core i7-3610QM (1244, 0.8% faster), and the Intel Core i5-2500 (1220, 1.2% slower). The Core i5-3330's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE (identical 1200, 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G (1202, 0.2% faster), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B (1196, 0.4% slower), and the AMD Opteron 3365 (1194, 0.5% slower). These positional data points show both processors operating in a similar performance tier, but the Pentium Gold G6600 consistently occupies the higher end of that tier.

The Verdict

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward: the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 outperforms the Intel Core i5-3330 in every benchmark test conducted. If the choice is based purely on Cinebench performance, the Pentium Gold G6600 is the stronger processor, with a 2.8% to 3.0% lead depending on the specific test.

Users who prioritize single-threaded performance should choose the Pentium Gold G6600, as it leads by 2.9% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 2.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core. Users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering should also choose the Pentium Gold G6600, as it leads by 2.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 2.9% in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 3.0% in Cinebench R23 multicore. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the Core i5-3330 is the recommended pick.

The Core i5-3330 is not without merit in the broader context: it has four physical cores and a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache, and its 22 nm process node and 133 mm² die size reflect an older but proven design. However, none of these architectural attributes translate into a benchmark win against the Pentium Gold G6600. The data shows a clean sweep, and the verdict follows accordingly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Pentium Gold G6600 wins with a score of 3589 against the Intel Core i5-3330's 3486, a 3.0% advantage.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Pentium Gold G6600 scores 506 versus 492 for the Core i5-3330, a 2.8% lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap is 2.9% (212 versus 206).

Q: Does the Core i5-3330 win any benchmark?

A: No. Across all five recorded Cinebench tests, the Core i5-3330 has zero wins. The Pentium Gold G6600 wins all five.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Pentium Gold G6600 has an average benchmark score of 1235, while the Core i5-3330 has 1200. That is a 2.9% difference in favor of the Pentium Gold G6600.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: The Pentium Gold G6600's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-8109U with an identical average score of 1235. The Core i5-3330's nearest rival is the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE with an identical average score of 1200.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, but the Pentium Gold G6600 achieves a higher average benchmark score within that percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Pentium Gold G6600 uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node. The Pentium Gold G6600 is a dual-core processor with four threads, whereas the Core i5-3330 is a quad-core processor with four threads. Both have a base clock, but only the Core i5-3330 lists a boost clock: the Pentium Gold G6600 runs at 4.20 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the Core i5-3330 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is 4 MB shared on the Pentium Gold G6600 and 6 MB shared on the Core i5-3330. The Core i5-3330 also has a listed die size of 133 mm², while the Pentium Gold G6600 has no die size recorded.

Memory support is another clear split. The Pentium Gold G6600 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Core i5-3330 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ: the Pentium Gold G6600 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Core i5-3330 includes Intel HD 2500. Both are desktop processors with locked multipliers. The Pentium Gold G6600 has a TDP of 58 watts, while the Core i5-3330 has a TDP of 77 watts. The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1200 for the Pentium Gold G6600 and Intel Socket 1155 for the Core i5-3330. The Pentium Gold G6600 is listed as active in production, while the Core i5-3330 has no production status recorded. Release dates also differ significantly, with the Pentium Gold G6600 released in 2020 and the Core i5-3330 in 2012.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Pentium Gold G6600 has 2 cores; Core i5-3330 has 4 cores.
• Threads: Pentium Gold G6600 has 4 threads; Core i5-3330 has 4 threads (no difference).
• Base clock: Pentium Gold G6600 is 4.20 GHz; Core i5-3330 is 3.00 GHz.
• Boost clock: Pentium Gold G6600 has none listed; Core i5-3330 has 3.20 GHz.
• TDP: Pentium Gold G6600 is 58 W; Core i5-3330 is 77 W.
• Socket: Pentium Gold G6600 uses Intel Socket 1200; Core i5-3330 uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Architecture: Pentium Gold G6600 is Comet Lake; Core i5-3330 is Ivy Bridge.
• Process node: Pentium Gold G6600 is 14 nm; Core i5-3330 is 22 nm.
• Die size: Pentium Gold G6600 has none listed; Core i5-3330 is 133 mm².
• L3 cache: Pentium Gold G6600 has 4 MB shared; Core i5-3330 has 6 MB shared.
• Memory support: Pentium Gold G6600 uses DDR4; Core i5-3330 uses DDR3.
• Memory bandwidth: Pentium Gold G6600 is 42.7 GB/s; Core i5-3330 has none listed.
• Integrated graphics: Pentium Gold G6600 has UHD Graphics 630; Core i5-3330 has Intel HD 2500.
• Production status: Pentium Gold G6600 is Active; Core i5-3330 has none listed.
• Release date: Pentium Gold G6600 is 2020; Core i5-3330 is 2012.
• Part number: Pentium Gold G6600 is SRH3S; Core i5-3330 is SR0RQ.

The specification sheet tells the story of two very different designs. The Pentium Gold G6600 leans on a much higher base clock and newer process node, while the Core i5-3330 counters with more physical cores and a larger L3 cache. The benchmark results show that, in practice, the Pentium Gold G6600's advantages win out in every recorded test.