Intel Core i5-3335S vs Intel Processor N95 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3335S and Intel Processor N95 are both quad-core, four-thread processors, but they target very different eras and use cases. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the older Ivy Bridge desktop chip wins in one multi-threaded workload, while the newer Gracemont-based mobile chip dominates in single-thread performance and another multi-threaded test. The recorded results place both processors within 1% of each other in average benchmark score (1083 vs 1070), yet their architectural differences produce opposite strengths. The i5-3335S is a 65W desktop part from 2012, while the N95 is a 15W mobile processor from 2023, and this gap in design philosophy shows up directly in the numbers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3335S takes its single win in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 3121 against the N95's 2769. This is a 12.7% advantage in a sustained all-core rendering workload. The data suggests the i5-3335S, despite its older architecture, maintains higher sustained throughput when all four cores are engaged for longer periods, likely due to its higher 65W power envelope and desktop-oriented thermal design.

The Intel Processor N95 wins the other two head-to-head comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 445 versus 314, a 29.4% lead. More dramatically, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the N95 posts 914 versus 440, a 51.9% margin. The single-core result is the standout: the N95's Gracemont architecture delivers more than double the performance per core in this test. For tasks that rely on one or two threads, such as everyday responsiveness, light productivity, or older software that cannot scale across cores, the N95 is clearly the stronger choice.

The use-case split is straightforward. The i5-3335S is preferable for heavily threaded, long-running render workloads where its 65W power budget lets it sustain output. The N95 is preferable for single-threaded tasks, bursty workloads, and scenarios where low power consumption (15W) matters more than raw sustained multi-core output. The wins are not evenly distributed: the N95 claims two of three direct comparisons, but the i5-3335S's R23 multi-core victory is substantial enough to keep its average score slightly higher.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies separated by more than a decade. The Intel Core i5-3335S is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process with 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1155 platform, supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Its integrated graphics are the Intel HD 4000. The processor was released in October 2012 and is part of the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation.

The Intel Processor N95 uses the Gracemont architecture, built on a 10 nm process, and is part of the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation. It uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket, a mobile form factor, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, though only in single-channel mode. Its memory bandwidth is rated at 38.4 GB/s, and it provides PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are the UHD Graphics 710. The N95 was released in January 2023 and remains in active production.

Cache and core layouts differ notably. The i5-3335S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The N95 has 96 KB of L1 per core, a shared 2 MB L2, and the same 6 MB of shared L3. The N95's larger L1 cache and shared L2 design reflect its newer, efficiency-focused Gracemont cores. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The power and platform differences are stark. The i5-3335S is a 65W desktop part with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost of 3.20 GHz. The N95 lists a base clock of 100.00 GHz, which is clearly a typo in the recording, but its boost clock is 3.40 GHz, and its TDP is just 15W. The N95's single-channel memory bus versus the i5-3335S's dual-channel bus is a significant architectural difference, though the N95 compensates with higher memory bandwidth support (38.4 GB/s) thanks to DDR5 compatibility.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The three direct comparisons tell a coherent story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N95 wins decisively with 445 points against 314, a 29.4% advantage. This is the older benchmark, and the N95's newer cores handle it efficiently. The i5-3335S cannot match the per-core throughput of the Gracemont design in this test.

Cinebench R23 multi-core flips the result. The i5-3335S scores 3121, while the N95 scores 2769, giving the i5-3335S a 12.7% lead. This is the most important result for multi-threaded rendering. The i5-3335S's higher TDP and desktop platform allow it to sustain performance over the longer R23 workload, while the N95, constrained to 15W, likely throttles or cannot maintain peak output. The 65W power budget of the i5-3335S appears to be the deciding factor in this test.

Cinebench R23 single-core is the most lopsided comparison. The N95 scores 914, more than double the i5-3335S's 440, a 51.9% margin. This is a generational leap in single-thread performance. The Gracemont cores in the N95 deliver far higher instructions per clock than the Ivy Bridge cores from 2012. For any workload that depends on a single thread, the N95 is overwhelmingly faster.

The average benchmark scores place the i5-3335S at 1083 and the N95 at 1070, a difference of roughly 1.2%. The i5-3335S sits at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, while the N95 sits at the 29th. The nearest rivals confirm they are in the same performance tier. The i5-3335S matches the Intel Core i5-2320 exactly (0% delta), is 0.1% ahead of the Pentium Gold G6505T, and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A12-9800. The N95 is 0.1% ahead of the Core i7-2820QM, 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 3380, and 0.1% behind the AMD Athlon X4 880K.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-3335S has an average benchmark score of 1083, while the Intel Processor N95 scores 1070. The i5-3335S also holds a slightly higher percentile rank at 30 versus 29.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Processor N95 scores 914 against the i5-3335S's 440, a 51.9% advantage for the N95.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N95 wins with 445 versus 314. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-3335S wins with 3121 versus 2769.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i5-3335S supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The Intel Processor N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5, but only in single-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has an active production status. The production status for the Intel Core i5-3335S is not recorded in the database.

Q: How do their power requirements differ?

A: The i5-3335S has a TDP of 65W, while the N95 has a TDP of 15W. The i5-3335S is a desktop part, and the N95 is a mobile part.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and platform specification. The i5-3335S uses the Intel Socket 1155, while the N95 uses Intel BGA 1264. The i5-3335S is built on a 22 nm process with 1,480 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size; the N95 uses a 10 nm process, and its transistor count and die size are not recorded. The i5-3335S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost of 3.20 GHz, whereas the N95 has a recorded base clock of 100.00 GHz (notable anomaly) and a boost of 3.40 GHz. The TDP differs dramatically: 65W for the i5-3335S versus 15W for the N95.

Cache layouts also diverge. The i5-3335S has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The N95 has 96 KB of L1 per core, a shared 2 MB L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: the i5-3335S uses DDR3 in dual-channel mode, while the N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in single-channel mode with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ: the i5-3335S provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the N95 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes. Integrated graphics are the Intel HD 4000 on the i5-3335S and the UHD Graphics 710 on the N95. The i5-3335S is a desktop part from 2012, while the N95 is a mobile part from 2023 with active production status.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i5-3335S if your workload is dominated by sustained multi-core rendering. Its 12.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows it can outlast the N95 in longer, all-core tasks, and its 65W power envelope supports that sustained output. The average benchmark score of 1083 versus 1070 also slightly favors the i5-3335S, though the margin is marginal.

Choose the Intel Processor N95 if single-thread performance or power efficiency matters more. Its 51.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is a generational advantage, and its 29.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core confirms broad strength in lighter loads. The 15W TDP makes it suitable for mobile or low-power systems, and its active production status means it is available today. The N95 also supports newer DDR4 and DDR5 memory, though only in single-channel mode.

The data does not declare a universal winner. The i5-3335S is the better sustained multi-threaded renderer, and the N95 is the better single-thread performer and efficiency choice. For modern everyday use, the N95's single-core dominance is likely more relevant, but for legacy desktop workloads that run long and use all cores, the i5-3335S remains competitive. The two processors sit within 1.2% of each other in average score, so the decision rests entirely on workload shape and platform requirements.