Intel Core i5-3335S vs Intel Pentium Gold G6505 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3335S and Intel Pentium Gold G6505 are both 30th-percentile desktop processors, but they achieve that standing through very different means. The i5-3335S is a 2012 Ivy Bridge quad-core with a modest 2.70 GHz base clock, while the G6505 is a 2021 Comet Lake-R dual-core with a 4.20 GHz base clock. Benchmark results show a clear sweep: the Pentium Gold wins all five head-to-head tests, with margins consistently around 16%. However, the i5-3335S offers four physical cores and a larger 6 MB L3 cache, which matters in specific workloads. The data paints a picture of a newer, faster processor against an older, wider one. The following sections break down where each chip wins, who should buy which, and the architectural reasoning behind the numbers.

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium Gold G6505 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so the "where each one wins" split is heavily lopsided. In multi-core workloads, the G6505 leads by 16% in Cinebench R15 (374 vs 314), R20 (1560 vs 1310), and R23 (3715 vs 3121). The single-core results are equally decisive: the G6505 beats the i5-3335S by 16.4% in Cinebench R20 (220 vs 184) and by 16% in R23 (524 vs 440). This means the Pentium Gold wins in every productivity scenario measured, from short render bursts to sustained multi-threaded tasks.

The i5-3335S does not win a single head-to-head benchmark (winsA: 0). Its only potential advantage is structural, not measured: it has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the G6505 has 2 cores and 4 threads. In applications that scale purely with physical core count and are not clock-sensitive, the i5-3335S could theoretically keep pace, but the benchmark data does not confirm this. The Cinebench R15 multicore score of 314 for the i5-3335S is 16% lower than the G6505's 374, suggesting that even in threaded workloads, the higher 4.20 GHz clock of the Pentium Gold overcomes the core deficit. The i5-3335S also has a larger 6 MB L3 cache versus 4 MB, which can help in cache-sensitive tasks, but again, no benchmark in the pack shows a win. For a user with heavily single-threaded software, the G6505 is the clear choice. For a user with lightly threaded but cache-heavy workloads, the i5-3335S might not lose as badly, but the data shows it still loses.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 is the faster processor in every measured scenario. If you are choosing between these two for a new build, the G6505 is the pick. It delivers 16% higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, and 16-16.4% higher single-core performance. The G6505 also has a higher base clock (4.20 GHz vs 2.70 GHz), a smaller process node (14 nm vs 22 nm), and supports DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-3335S is limited to DDR3. The G6505 is listed as "Active" in production status, while the i5-3335S has no production status listed, implying it is older and likely harder to source new.

The i5-3335S is only worth considering if you already own a Socket 1155 motherboard and want a drop-in upgrade. It has 4 physical cores, which is two more than the G6505, and a larger 6 MB L3 cache. But even then, the benchmark data shows the G6505 outperforming it across the board. The i5-3335S also has a higher TDP of 65W versus 58W, meaning it consumes more power for less performance. The G6505's launch MSRP is $75, which is a factual point but not a recommendation. For anyone building new, the G6505 is the only rational choice based on the data. For anyone on an old Socket 1155 platform, the i5-3335S is a functional upgrade from slower dual-cores, but it is not competitive with the Pentium Gold.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is a clean sweep for the Pentium Gold G6505, with five wins and zero for the i5-3335S. The largest margin is in single-core performance: Cinebench R20 shows the G6505 at 220 points versus 184 for the i5-3335S, a delta of -16.4%. This is the biggest percentage gap in the entire comparison. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the G6505 scores 524 against 440, again a 16% difference. These single-core results are critical because they indicate the G6505 will feel snappier in everyday tasks, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications.

The multi-core results are just as lopsided. Cinebench R15 multicore: G6505 at 374, i5-3335S at 314, a 16% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore: G6505 at 1560, i5-3335S at 1310, a 16% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore: G6505 at 3715, i5-3335S at 3121, a 16% lead. The consistency of the 16% delta across all three Cinebench versions is notable. It suggests that the performance gap is not workload-dependent but rather a fundamental clock-speed advantage. The G6505's 4.20 GHz base clock versus the i5-3335S's 2.70 GHz base clock (with a 3.20 GHz boost) explains this. Even with two fewer physical cores, the G6505's higher frequency allows it to win threaded benchmarks by a uniform margin.

It is also worth noting the absolute scores. The i5-3335S's best multicore score is 3121 in Cinebench R23, while the G6505's worst multicore score is 3715 in the same test. The i5-3335S cannot reach the G6505's level in any test. The single-core scores are closer in absolute terms (440 vs 524 in R23) but still represent a clear, consistent advantage for the Pentium Gold. There are no benchmark results where the i5-3335S comes within even 5% of the G6505.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 faster than the i5-3335S?

A: Yes. The G6505 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks. It leads by 16% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, and by 16-16.4% in single-core tests.

Q: Does the i5-3335S have more cores than the G6505?

A: Yes. The i5-3335S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the G6505 has 2 cores and 4 threads. However, the G6505's higher 4.20 GHz base clock overcomes this core deficit in all measured benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-3335S has a 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the G6505 has a 4 MB shared L3 cache. This is an advantage for the i5-3335S in cache-sensitive workloads, but the benchmark data does not show it translating into a win.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The i5-3335S supports DDR3 memory, while the G6505 supports DDR4 memory. The G6505 also has a stated memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-3335S does not have a listed bandwidth figure.

Q: Is the G6505 more power-efficient?

A: Yes. The G6505 has a TDP of 58W, while the i5-3335S has a TDP of 65W. The G6505 delivers higher performance with a lower power envelope.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i5-3335S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the G6505 uses Intel Socket 1200. They are not interchangeable.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and architectures. The i5-3335S is built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It uses 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The G6505 is based on Comet Lake-R, built on a 14 nm process node, also at Intel. The G6505 does not have listed transistor or die size figures. This process difference is significant: the 22 nm node is older and less dense, which explains why the i5-3335S has a lower clock speed and higher TDP despite having more cores.

The core and cache topology also differ. The i5-3335S has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The G6505 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads (thanks to Hyper-Threading), with the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but only a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The i5-3335S's larger L3 cache is a direct result of having more physical cores, but the G6505's higher clock speed compensates in benchmark tests.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5-3335S includes Intel HD 4000, while the G6505 includes UHD Graphics 630. Both are iGPUs, but the UHD 630 is a newer generation. The G6505 also supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i5-3335S is limited to DDR3. Both processors have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory. The G6505 has a production status of "Active," while the i5-3335S has no production status listed, indicating it is discontinued or end-of-life.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between the two chips are extensive, reflecting their generational gap. The most obvious difference is core count: the i5-3335S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the G6505 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are wildly different: the i5-3335S runs at 2.70 GHz with a 3.20 GHz boost, while the G6505 runs at a fixed 4.20 GHz with no boost clock listed. The G6505's base clock is 1.5 GHz higher than the i5-3335S's base clock and 1.0 GHz higher than its boost clock.

TDP differs by 7W: the i5-3335S is rated at 65W, the G6505 at 58W. Sockets are incompatible: Socket 1155 for the i5-3335S versus Socket 1200 for the G6505. Process nodes differ: 22 nm for the i5-3335S, 14 nm for the G6505. Memory support is DDR3 for the i5-3335S and DDR4 for the G6505, with the G6505 listing a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. L3 cache is 6 MB for the i5-3335S and 4 MB for the G6505. Integrated graphics are HD 4000 versus UHD 630. The G6505 has a launch MSRP of $75, while the i5-3335S has no listed MSRP. The G6505 also has a part number (SRH3V) and a release date of 2021-03-15, while the i5-3335S was released on 2012-10-31. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The G6505 is "Active" in production, while the i5-3335S's production status is not listed.