Intel Core i5-3330S vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-2600S wins every single recorded comparison, taking all 7 head-to-head tests against the Core i5-3330S. The largest margins appear in Cinebench workloads, where the i7-2600S leads by roughly 18 percent across multiple tests. The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the i7-2600S scoring 396 against 335 for the i5-3330S, a delta of 18.2 percent. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: 1651 versus 1396, an 18.3 percent advantage. Cinebench R23 multicore sees the i7-2600S at 3933 versus 3326, again an 18.3 percent gap. Single-core Cinebench tests follow suit, with R20 single-core at 233 versus 196 (18.9 percent advantage) and R23 single-core at 555 versus 469 (18.3 percent advantage).

The Geekbench results are closer but still favor the older chip. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-2600S scores 1765 against 1625, a more modest 8.6 percent edge. Geekbench singlecore narrows further: 578 versus 549, just 5.3 percent. This pattern suggests that the i7-2600S benefits most heavily in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, where its 8 threads provide a clear structural advantage over the i5-3330S's 4 threads. The smaller Geekbench deltas indicate that in shorter, lighter bursts, the newer Ivy Bridge architecture of the i5-3330S partially closes the gap, but it cannot overcome the i7-2600S's higher clock speeds and Hyper-Threading support.

The average benchmark score for the i7-2600S sits at 1146, while the i5-3330S averages 1128. Both processors land at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy nearly identical positions in the overall performance distribution. The i7-2600S's closest rivals include the AMD Opteron 4284 at 1146 (0 percent delta), the Intel Core i7-3612QE at 1147 (-0.1 percent), and the AMD Opteron 4332 HE at 1144 (0.2 percent). The i5-3330S's nearest competitors are the Intel Core i7-2720QM at 1128 (0 percent), the Intel Core i3-1115GRE at 1127 (0.1 percent), and the Intel Core i7-3612QM at 1129 (-0.1 percent). These rival lists show that both chips perform in the same tier, but the i7-2600S holds a consistent, if modest, lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel manufacturing generations. The i7-2600S uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process node, while the i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge on a 22 nm node. The die size reflects this shrink: the i7-2600S measures 216 mm², whereas the i5-3330S is substantially smaller at 133 mm². The transistor count for the i7-2600S is listed at 1,160 million, while the i5-3330S has no recorded transistor figure in the database.

Core and thread configurations differ significantly. Both CPUs have 4 physical cores, but the i7-2600S supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-3330S is limited to 4 threads. This explains the multicore performance gap despite the i5-3330S's architectural refresh. Clock speeds also favor the older chip: the i7-2600S runs at a 2.80 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the i5-3330S starts at 2.70 GHz and boosts to 3.20 GHz. The 0.60 GHz boost advantage for the i7-2600S is substantial for single-threaded workloads.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both chips share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) allocations, but the i7-2600S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i5-3330S. This larger cache pool for the i7-2600S may contribute to its performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-2600S features Intel HD 2000, while the i5-3330S has Intel HD 2500. Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Power characteristics are notable: the i7-2600S has a 65 W TDP, lower than the i5-3330S's 77 W TDP, meaning the older, higher-performing chip is also more power-efficient in this comparison. Neither processor supports ECC memory, neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both fit the Intel Socket 1155.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S wins all multicore tests. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 396 versus 335, Cinebench R20 multicore shows 1651 versus 1396, Cinebench R23 multicore shows 3933 versus 3326, and Geekbench multicore shows 1765 versus 1625. The delta ranges from 8.6 percent (Geekbench) to 18.3 percent (Cinebench R20 and R23).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-2600S also leads in single-core tests. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 233 versus 196 (18.9 percent), Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 555 versus 469 (18.3 percent), and Geekbench singlecore shows 578 versus 549 (5.3 percent). The i7-2600S's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.20 GHz is the likely factor.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The i7-2600S has 8 threads from 4 cores, while the i5-3330S has 4 threads from 4 cores. The i7-2600S's Hyper-Threading support doubles the thread count, which is a primary reason for its multicore advantage.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i7-2600S has a 65 W TDP, while the i5-3330S has a 77 W TDP. Despite being the older architecture and delivering higher performance in every test, the i7-2600S consumes less power according to the recorded specifications.

Q: Do they support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus. Neither supports ECC memory. The cache configurations differ, with the i7-2600S having 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i5-3330S.

Q: Which CPU has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The i5-3330S uses a 22 nm process node, while the i7-2600S uses 32 nm. The smaller node gives the i5-3330S a smaller die size of 133 mm² compared to 216 mm², but this architectural advantage does not translate into higher benchmark scores.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i7-2600S. It wins all 7 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 5.3 percent to 18.9 percent. The largest advantages appear in Cinebench workloads, where the combination of higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz boost versus 3.20 GHz) and double the thread count (8 versus 4) proves decisive. Even in Geekbench, where the i5-3330S's newer Ivy Bridge architecture might be expected to help, the i7-2600S maintains a lead of 8.6 percent in multicore and 5.3 percent in singlecore.

The i5-3330S does have redeeming qualities. Its 22 nm process node and smaller 133 mm² die size indicate a more modern manufacturing approach. Its integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500) is a newer generation than the i7-2600S's Intel HD 2000. However, these architectural refinements do not overcome the performance deficit in any recorded benchmark.

For users prioritizing processing power, particularly in multi-threaded rendering or encoding tasks, the i7-2600S is the superior choice based on these measurements. The i5-3330S may appeal to those who value the newer process node or integrated graphics generation, but the benchmark data does not support choosing it for performance reasons. Both CPUs occupy the same 32nd percentile in the database, but the i7-2600S achieves this with lower power consumption (65 W versus 77 W) and a higher average benchmark score (1146 versus 1128). The i7-2600S is the stronger processor across every recorded metric.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i7-2600S and Intel Core i5-3330S:

• Threads: 8 (i7-2600S) versus 4 (i5-3330S)
• Base clock: 2.80 GHz (i7-2600S) versus 2.70 GHz (i5-3330S)
• Boost clock: 3.80 GHz (i7-2600S) versus 3.20 GHz (i5-3330S)
• TDP: 65 W (i7-2600S) versus 77 W (i5-3330S)
• Architecture: Sandy Bridge (i7-2600S) versus Ivy Bridge (i5-3330S)
• Generation: Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) (i7-2600S) versus Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) (i5-3330S)
• Process node: 32 nm (i7-2600S) versus 22 nm (i5-3330S)
• Die size: 216 mm² (i7-2600S) versus 133 mm² (i5-3330S)
• Transistors: 1,160 million (i7-2600S) versus not recorded (i5-3330S)
• L3 cache: 8 MB shared (i7-2600S) versus 6 MB shared (i5-3330S)
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 2000 (i7-2600S) versus Intel HD 2500 (i5-3330S)
• Part number: SR00E (i7-2600S) versus SR0RR (i5-3330S)
• Release date: 2011-01-08 (i7-2600S) versus 2012-09-02 (i5-3330S)
• Production status: End-of-life (i7-2600S) versus not recorded (i5-3330S)