Intel Core i5-3335S vs Intel Core i7-4610M Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4610M and Intel Core i5-3335S are both 22 nm Intel parts, but they target different platforms and deliver distinctly different performance profiles. The data shows that the desktop i5-3335S claims victory in five of the seven recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the mobile i7-4610M wins in the two Geekbench tests, including a decisive single-core margin. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1094 for the i7, 1083 for the i5), which places both at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, but their strengths are clearly split between multi-threaded compute and specific legacy workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most consistent trend in the recorded data is the i5-3335S’s dominance in Cinebench workloads. Across all five Cinebench tests, the i5-3335S holds an advantage of approximately 11.8% to 12%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 314 against the i7’s 277, a deficit of 11.8% for the mobile chip. The same delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore (1310 vs 1155) and Cinebench R23 multicore (3121 vs 2750). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: the i5 leads by 12% in R20 (184 vs 162) and by 11.8% in R23 (440 vs 388). These numbers indicate that in rendering and CPU-intensive content creation tasks, the i5-3335S is consistently faster, regardless of core count or clock speed.

The i7-4610M, however, wins decisively in Geekbench. In Geekbench multicore, the i7 scores 1903 against the i5’s 1647, a 15.5% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: the i7 posts 1024 versus the i5’s 562, an 82.2% lead. This massive single-core delta is the standout statistic in the comparison. It suggests that the i7-4610M’s architecture and higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) translate into far better performance in workloads that Geekbench measures, which often include memory latency, encryption, and integer operations. The i5-3335S wins the overall head-to-head count at 5-2, but the i7’s Geekbench margins are large enough to make the overall average scores nearly identical.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is clear: the i7-4610M is a Haswell mobile processor, while the i5-3335S is an Ivy Bridge desktop processor. Both are built on the same 22 nm process node, but the transistor counts differ significantly. The i7-4610M packs 960 million transistors on a 131 mm² die, whereas the i5-3335S uses 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. This reflects the desktop part’s larger physical footprint and higher transistor density, which supports four physical cores.

Core and thread configurations differ as well. The i7-4610M is a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, providing 2 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3335S is a true quad-core with 4 cores and 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading. This explains why the i5 wins multi-threaded Cinebench tests despite a lower base clock (2.70 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and lower boost clock (3.20 GHz vs 3.70 GHz). The i7’s higher clocks help in single-threaded scenarios, but it cannot overcome the i5’s two additional physical cores in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i7-4610M has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The i5-3335S matches the L1 and L2 sizes per core, but its L3 cache expands to 6 MB shared. This larger cache pool gives the i5 more on-die storage for frequently accessed data, which can benefit multi-threaded applications that share data across cores. The i7’s smaller L3 is a typical trade-off for a mobile part constrained by power and thermal limits, reflected in its 37 W TDP versus the i5’s 65 W TDP.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel buses. The i7-4610M lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3335S does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the i7 pairs with Intel HD 4600, the i5 with Intel HD 4000. The i7 is a mobile Socket G3 part, the i5 is a desktop Socket 1155 part. Production status also differs: the i7 is end-of-life, while the i5’s status is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3335S is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering and content creation workloads. Its four physical cores deliver a consistent 11.8% to 12% advantage across every Cinebench version recorded, from R15 through R23, in both multi-core and single-core tests. The Cinebench suite is heavily optimized for parallel execution, and the i5’s core count advantage is decisive. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or any task that scales with core count, the recorded data shows the i5-3335S will outperform the i7-4610M by a nearly uniform margin.

The i7-4610M wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where it leads by 82.2%. This is a massive gap that cannot be explained by clock speed alone (3.70 GHz vs 3.20 GHz). The Haswell architecture’s improved instruction execution and memory handling likely contribute. The i7 also wins Geekbench multicore by 15.5%, despite having only two physical cores. This suggests that Geekbench’s multi-core test benefits from Hyper-Threading and the i7’s higher clocks more than from raw physical core count. For workloads that resemble Geekbench’s mix of integer math, memory operations, and compression, the i7-4610M is the stronger part.

The average benchmark scores are effectively tied: 1094 for the i7, 1083 for the i5, a difference of just 1%. This places both at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are mid-pack performers in the broader market. The i7’s nearest rivals include the i5-3470S (avg 1095, delta -0.1%) and the i7-4600M (avg 1093, delta 0.1%), while the i5-3335S sits alongside the i5-2320 (avg 1083, delta 0%) and the Pentium Gold G6505T (avg 1082, delta 0.1%). These rival comparisons show that neither chip has a meaningful edge over its closest peers.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-3335S scores 3121 versus the i7-4610M’s 2750, a difference of 11.9%. The i5’s four physical cores provide a consistent advantage across all Cinebench versions.

Q: Why does the i7-4610M win Geekbench single-core by such a large margin?

A: The i7 scores 1024 against the i5’s 562, an 82.2% lead. The i7’s higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.20 GHz) and Haswell architecture contribute, but the magnitude suggests architectural efficiency beyond raw clock speed.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores?

A: No. The i7-4610M has 2 cores and 4 threads (Hyper-Threading), while the i5-3335S has 4 cores and 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading). The i5’s extra cores drive its multi-threaded Cinebench wins.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The i7-4610M has a 37 W TDP, while the i5-3335S has a 65 W TDP. The i7 is designed for mobile platforms with lower power limits, the i5 is a desktop part with higher thermal headroom.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-3335S has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i7-4610M has 4 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 30th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are 1094 (i7) and 1083 (i5), a difference of about 1%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4610M | Intel Core i5-3335S |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G3 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Transistors | 960 million | 1,480 million |

| Die Size | 131 mm² | 160 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2014-01-31 | 2012-10-31 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not recorded |

| Launch MSRP | $346 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR1KY | Not recorded |

| Geekbench Single-Core | 1024 | 562 |

| Geekbench Multi-Core | 1903 | 1647 |

| Cinebench R23 Multi-Core | 2750 | 3121 |

| Head-to-Head Wins | 2 | 5 |

The Verdict

The data directs different users to different chips. For anyone running Cinebench-style workloads, which typically include 3D rendering, video encoding, and other multi-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i5-3335S is the better performer. Its 11.8% to 12% lead across every Cinebench test is consistent and meaningful. The four physical cores are the decisive factor. This is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, so it is suited for systems where power draw is not the primary constraint.

The Intel Core i7-4610M is the pick for Geekbench-oriented workloads, especially those that stress single-core performance. Its 82.2% advantage in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in the entire comparison. It also wins Geekbench multicore by 15.5%, despite having fewer physical cores. This indicates that the i7’s Hyper-Threading and higher clocks (3.70 GHz boost) are more effective in that benchmark suite. As a mobile part with a 37 W TDP, it is also the only logical choice for laptop or compact mobile systems, given its Socket G3 design.

The overall average scores are nearly identical, which means neither chip dominates the other in aggregate performance. The i5-3335S wins the head-to-head count 5-2, but the i7-4610M’s Geekbench wins are so large that they nearly cancel the i5’s Cinebench advantage in the final average. Users should select based on their workload profile. If the task list is dominated by multi-threaded rendering, the i5-3335S is the clear winner. If single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench-style benchmarks matter more, the i7-4610M is the stronger option. Both sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a high-end performer, but each has a distinct niche where it outperforms the other.