Intel Core i5-3350P vs Intel Core i5-3450S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a close contest between these two Ivy Bridge desktop processors, with the Intel Core i5-3450S taking six of eight recorded tests while the Intel Core i5-3350P counters with two wins. The margin in most cases is narrow, but the pattern is consistent across Cinebench workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3450S scores 377 against the i5-3350P's 371, a delta of 1.6% in favor of the S-series chip. The single-core version of the same test shows 53 versus 52, with the i5-3450S ahead by 1.9%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-3450S again leads: 1573 versus 1546 in multicore (1.7% advantage) and 222 versus 217 in single-core (2.3% advantage). Cinebench R23 continues the trend, with the i5-3450S posting 3747 against 3681 in multicore (1.8% lead) and 529 against 519 in single-core (1.9% lead).

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-3350P scores 1730 while the i5-3450S scores 1712, giving the P-series part a 1.1% edge. Geekbench single-core also favors the i5-3350P, 584 to 581, a 0.5% margin. These wins are smaller than the Cinebench victories for the i5-3450S, but they demonstrate that the 3350P is not uniformly slower.

What does this data imply? The i5-3450S shows a slight but repeatable advantage in rendering-oriented workloads (Cinebench), while the i5-3350P counters in general-purpose integer tests (Geekbench). The largest single delta across all eight benchmarks is only 2.3%, which suggests these processors are functionally equivalent in most real-world scenarios. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the i5-3350P averages 1088, and the i5-3450S averages 1099, a gap of about 1%.

The percentile rankings place the i5-3450S at the 31st percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-3350P sits at the 30th. This one-percentile difference aligns with the overall score gap. Looking at nearest rivals, the i5-3350P matches the AMD Athlon 220GE exactly (both average 1088), sits 0.2% above the Intel Core i5-2450P, and 0.3% above the Intel Core i3-6320. The i5-3450S ties the Intel Pentium 6805 (both 1099), is 0.1% above the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 and AMD PRO A10-8850B, and trails the Intel Pentium Gold G6500 by 0.2%. Both chips occupy a narrow band of performance, surrounded by similar-era parts.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-3450S is the marginally faster processor overall. It wins six of eight benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, and holds a higher average score (1099 versus 1088) and a higher percentile rank (31 versus 30). The consistency of its Cinebench advantage, even at 1.6% to 2.3%, indicates a small but real edge in multi-threaded rendering tasks.

However, the i5-3350P is not without justification. Its Geekbench multicore win (1730 versus 1712) and single-core win (584 versus 581) show that in certain workloads, particularly those resembling Geekbench's mix, it can pull ahead. For a user whose primary applications align with Geekbench-style tests, the 3350P would be the better choice. The margin is slim, but it is a genuine reversal of the overall trend.

The database also reveals that the i5-3450S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), while the i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed. This is a functional difference that matters for builds without a discrete GPU. The i5-3450S also carries a lower TDP of 65 watts versus 69 watts for the i5-3350P, a small but measurable efficiency advantage.

Neither chip is a clear winner in absolute terms. The i5-3450S wins on benchmark count and average score, but the i5-3350P wins on Geekbench and offers its own strengths. A buyer choosing between them should weigh the Cinebench-focused edge of the 3450S against the Geekbench edge of the 3350P, plus the integrated graphics and lower power draw of the 3450S.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Ivy Bridge, built on a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. The codename is identical, and the generation is listed as "Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)" for both. The socket is the same Intel Socket 1155, and both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) on both parts.

The key architectural difference lies in the die and transistor counts. The i5-3350P has a die size of 133 mm², while the i5-3450S measures 160 mm². The i5-3450S also lists 1,400 million transistors, while the i5-3350P does not have a transistor count recorded in the database. This larger die on the 3450S likely accommodates the integrated graphics unit, which is absent from the 3350P. The presence of Intel HD 2500 on the 3450S is a functional addition that the 3350P lacks entirely.

Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Both have four cores and four threads, with no hyper-threading. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both support non-ECC memory only. The process node and foundry are the same, so the underlying transistor technology is unchanged.

The release dates differ: the i5-3450S launched on April 28, 2012, while the i5-3350P followed on September 2, 2012. This later release for the 3350P may explain its smaller die and omitted graphics, as Intel likely targeted a slightly lower-cost position without the iGPU. The part numbers also differ (SR0P2 for the 3450S, SR0WS for the 3350P), confirming distinct SKUs.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a few recorded specification fields. Base clock speeds are the most obvious: the i5-3350P runs at 3.10 GHz base, while the i5-3450S runs at 2.80 GHz base. Boost clocks reverse this, with the i5-3350P boosting to 3.30 GHz and the i5-3450S boosting to 3.50 GHz. The 3450S has a higher top speed but a lower idle speed.

Thermal design power differs slightly: 69 watts for the 3350P, 65 watts for the 3450S. This gives the 3450S a modest efficiency edge. Die size is 133 mm² for the 3350P versus 160 mm² for the 3450S, and the 3450S lists 1,400 million transistors while the 3350P has no recorded transistor count.

Integrated graphics is the most significant functional difference: the i5-3450S includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed. This means the 3350P requires a discrete GPU for display output, while the 3450S can operate without one. Release dates differ as well: the 3450S launched in April 2012, the 3350P in September 2012. All other specifications, including cores, threads, cache, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe lanes, socket, architecture, process node, foundry, and market segment, are identical.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3450S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3350P has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: Does either CPU include integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-3450S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500). The Intel Core i5-3350P has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: Which CPU is more efficient in terms of power draw?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts, making the 3450S the lower-power part.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S scores 3747, while the Intel Core i5-3350P scores 3681, giving the 3450S a 1.8% lead.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Geekbench multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P scores 1730, while the Intel Core i5-3450S scores 1712, giving the 3350P a 1.1% lead.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3450S is the pick for rendering and multi-threaded productivity. It wins every Cinebench test in the database, from R15 through R23, in both multicore and single-core variants. The margins range from 1.6% to 2.3%, but they are consistent. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or other Cinebench-like workloads, the 3450S offers a measurable, if small, advantage. Its integrated graphics also make it a fit for basic builds without a discrete GPU, and its 65-watt TDP is the lower of the two, which may appeal in compact or power-sensitive systems.

The Intel Core i5-3350P wins in Geekbench, both multicore (1730 versus 1712) and single-core (584 versus 581). This suggests it may perform better in general-purpose applications, web browsing, office productivity, and other mixed workloads that resemble Geekbench's test suite. The margins are smaller (0.5% and 1.1%), but the direction is clear. The 3350P also carries a smaller die (133 mm² versus 160 mm²), which could imply lower manufacturing cost, though the database does not record pricing.

For a user who already owns a discrete GPU and prioritizes Geekbench-style tasks, the 3350P is the better choice. For a user who needs integrated graphics, wants the lowest power draw, or runs Cinebench-like rendering, the 3450S is the better choice. In most other scenarios, the data shows these two chips are near-identical performers, with the 3450S holding a slight overall edge based on its six benchmark wins and higher average score of 1099 versus 1088.