Intel Core i5-3330 vs Intel Pentium Silver N6005 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture. The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-3330, with all five victories falling within a narrow margin of 27.4% to 27.7%. This uniformity across different Cinebench versions and workload types suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

Starting with multi-core performance, the N6005 scores 447 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against the i5-3330's 351, a 27.4% advantage. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the N6005 posts 1866 versus 1464, a 27.5% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the N6005 reaches 4444 while the i5-3330 manages 3486, again a 27.5% difference. These three results show the N6005 consistently delivering roughly a quarter more multi-threaded throughput.

Single-core results tell the same story with nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the N6005 scores 263 against the i5-3330's 206, a 27.7% advantage, the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the N6005 at 627 versus 492, a 27.4% edge. The consistency between single-core and multi-core deltas indicates the N6005's advantage comes from per-thread efficiency, not from any parallelism scaling difference.

The average benchmark scores in the database align with these head-to-head results. The N6005 holds an average benchmark score of 1218, placing it at the 34th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-3330 averages 1200, also at the 34th percentile. Despite the identical percentile ranking, the 1.5% average score difference favors the N6005. The nearest rivals for each processor reinforce this picture: the N6005 sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-3632QM (1219) and 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-2500 (1220), while the i5-3330 matches the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE (1200) exactly and trails the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G (1202) by 0.2%.

Notably, the i5-3330 has no single-core entry in the Cinebench R15 database, so that particular comparison cannot be drawn. However, the five recorded benchmarks all point in one direction, and the N6005 wins all five. The data shows no scenario where the i5-3330 closes the gap to within even a single percentage point.

The Verdict

Based strictly on recorded benchmark results, the Intel Pentium Silver N6005 is the clear performance choice. It wins every head-to-head test by a margin between 27.4% and 27.7%, a substantial and consistent lead across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i5-3330 never comes within double digits of the N6005 in any measured test.

Users who prioritize raw compute performance in Cinebench workloads should select the N6005 without hesitation. The data shows no category where the i5-3330 outperforms its rival. The N6005's 34th percentile ranking matches the i5-3330's ranking, but the average benchmark score of 1218 versus 1200 reflects the N6005's modest overall edge in the broader database.

However, the i5-3330 is not without its own context. It holds its own against modern low-power AMD parts, matching the Athlon PRO 200GE exactly and trailing the Ryzen 3 2200G by only 0.2%. The i5-3330's benchmark profile shows it remains competitive within its era, but against the N6005 specifically, the data is unambiguous: the N6005 wins outright.

For users constrained to the i5-3330's platform, the results indicate acceptable performance relative to other CPUs in its class. But when choosing between these two specific processors, the recorded data offers no argument for the i5-3330 on performance grounds. The N6005 delivers a superior result in every measured workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 uses the Tremont architecture on the Jasper Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, also bearing the Ivy Bridge codename, on a 22 nm process node. This process node difference explains much of the performance gap: the N6005's 10 nm process allows for significantly higher efficiency per clock cycle compared to the older 22 nm design.

Die size reflects this architectural divide. The N6005 has a die size of 63.8 mm², while the i5-3330's die measures 133 mm². The newer process allows the N6005 to pack comparable functionality into less than half the silicon area. Both processors are manufactured by Intel, and neither uses a 3D V-Cache implementation.

Cache layouts differ substantially between the two. The N6005 provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.5 MB of shared L2 cache, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-3330 also offers 64 KB of L1 per core but increases L2 to 256 KB per core and L3 to 6 MB shared. The i5-3330's larger L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB) could benefit certain workloads, but the benchmark data shows the N6005's architectural efficiency overcomes this deficit.

Memory support diverges as well. The N6005 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i5-3330 supports only DDR3, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The N6005's newer memory standard contributes to its overall performance advantage.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count and generation. The N6005 provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-3330 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-3330's additional PCIe lanes could support more expansion devices, but this does not translate into compute performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Integrated graphics also distinguish the two. The N6005 pairs with UHD Graphics 32EU, while the i5-3330 includes Intel HD 2500. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The N6005's market segment is listed as Mobile with an end-of-life production status, while the i5-3330 targets Desktop with no production status recorded.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Pentium Silver N6005 and the Intel Core i5-3330:

• Base clock: The N6005 runs at 2000.00 MHz, while the i5-3330 has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz.
• Boost clock: The N6005 boosts to 3.30 GHz, compared to the i5-3330's 3.20 GHz, a 0.10 GHz advantage for the N6005.
• TDP: The N6005 draws only 10 W, while the i5-3330 consumes 77 W, a sevenfold difference.
• Socket: The N6005 uses Intel BGA 1338, while the i5-3330 uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Process node: 10 nm for the N6005 versus 22 nm for the i5-3330.
• L2 cache: 1.5 MB shared on the N6005, versus 256 KB per core on the i5-3330.
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared on the N6005, versus 6 MB shared on the i5-3330.
• Memory support: DDR4 and LPDDR4 for the N6005, DDR3 only for the i5-3330.
• Memory bandwidth: 46.9 GB/s recorded for the N6005, no figure recorded for the i5-3330.
• PCIe lanes: 8 lanes for the N6005, 16 lanes for the i5-3330, both Gen 3.
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 32EU on the N6005, Intel HD 2500 on the i5-3330.
• Market segment: Mobile for the N6005, Desktop for the i5-3330.
• Production status: End-of-life for the N6005, not recorded for the i5-3330.
• Release date: Not recorded for the N6005, September 2, 2012 for the i5-3330.
• Part number: SRKGU for the N6005, SR0RQ for the i5-3330.

Both processors share 4 cores and 4 threads, dual-channel memory buses, non-ECC memory support, locked multipliers, and Intel as the manufacturer and foundry. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 scores 4444 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i5-3330 scores 3486. The N6005 wins by 27.5%.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The N6005 scores 263 in Cinebench R20 single-core, compared to the i5-3330's 206. The N6005 leads by 27.7%, the largest margin in any recorded head-to-head test.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The N6005 has an average benchmark score of 1218, while the i5-3330 averages 1200. Both processors rank at the 34th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The N6005 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-3330 supports only DDR3 in dual-channel mode, with no bandwidth figure recorded.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The N6005 boosts to 3.30 GHz, while the i5-3330 boosts to 3.20 GHz. The N6005 also has a lower base clock at 2000.00 MHz versus 3.00 GHz.

Q: Is the N6005 always the winner in the recorded benchmarks?

A: Yes, the N6005 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with no wins recorded for the i5-3330. The deltas range from 27.4% to 27.7% in favor of the N6005.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 wins in every measured performance category. Its 27.4% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core (447 versus 351) and 27.5% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1866 versus 1464) establish superiority in heavily threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 4444 versus 3486 confirms this trend holds even in the most recent benchmark version.

Single-core performance also favors the N6005 decisively. The 27.7% win in Cinebench R20 single-core (263 versus 206) and the 27.4% win in Cinebench R23 single-core (627 versus 492) show the architecture's per-thread efficiency. The N6005's 3.30 GHz boost clock, while only 0.10 GHz higher than the i5-3330's 3.20 GHz, enables this substantial single-thread advantage through its newer 10 nm Tremont architecture.

The i5-3330 has no recorded wins in any head-to-head benchmark. Its strengths lie in areas outside the measured tests: a larger 6 MB L3 cache, 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 8, and a Desktop market segment with a 2012 release date. The i5-3330 also has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz, which could benefit workloads that run at constant frequency without boosting. However, no benchmark data exists to confirm any performance benefit from these characteristics.

For users selecting purely on benchmark results, the N6005 is the only choice. For users who need the i5-3330's specific platform features, such as the Socket 1155 compatibility or additional PCIe lanes, the data shows a clear performance trade-off: the i5-3330 trails by roughly 27% in all recorded compute tests. The N6005's 10 W TDP versus the i5-3330's 77 W further reinforces its efficiency advantage, though power consumption itself is not a benchmark score. The database records the N6005 as end-of-life, which may affect availability, but the measured performance data consistently favors the Pentium Silver part.