Intel Core i5-3350P vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i5-3350P: two Ivy Bridge desktop parts with nearly identical specifications, yet the benchmark data reveals a consistent, if modest, pattern of separation. Both processors share the same 4-core, 4-thread layout, the same 22 nm process node, the same 133 mm² die size, and the same 6 MB shared L3 cache. The differences lie in clock speeds, power envelope, and the presence of integrated graphics. The recorded data shows the i5-3470S winning seven of the eight head-to-head comparisons, with the i5-3350P taking a single narrow victory in Geekbench multicore. The average benchmark scores, 1095 for the i5-3470S and 1088 for the i5-3350P, place both in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that these are entry-level performers by modern standards, but the consistency of the i5-3470S advantage makes it the more reliable choice in most measured workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core i5-3470S comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 599 against the i5-3350P's 584, a delta of 2.6%. This is the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison and reflects the i5-3470S's higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz compared to the i5-3350P's 3.30 GHz. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3470S again leads with a score of 220 versus 217, a 1.4% advantage, reinforcing the pattern that the i5-3470S extracts more performance from lightly threaded workloads.

The multicore results are closer but still favor the i5-3470S. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-3470S scores 3711 against 3681 for the i5-3350P, a 0.8% lead. The same 0.8% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-3470S posts 1558 versus 1546. Cinebench R15 multicore shows the narrowest multicore gap, with the i5-3470S at 373 and the i5-3350P at 371, a 0.5% difference. These margins are small, but they are consistent across all Cinebench versions, suggesting that the i5-3470S's higher base clock of 2.90 GHz, despite being lower than the i5-3350P's 3.10 GHz, is offset by its superior boost behavior in sustained workloads.

The single exception to the i5-3470S's dominance is Geekbench multicore, where the i5-3350P scores 1730 against the i5-3470S's 1726, a 0.2% advantage. This is a marginal win, and it does not overturn the overall trend. The i5-3350P's base clock advantage of 3.10 GHz over 2.90 GHz may contribute to this result, but the difference is within the noise of typical benchmark variance. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, both chips tie at 52, with the delta recorded as 0%, making that the only dead heat in the dataset.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S is the clear winner for single-threaded performance and for most multicore rendering tasks. Its Geekbench single-core score of 599 is 2.6% ahead of the i5-3350P, and its Cinebench R20 single-core score of 220 is 1.4% ahead. These are the workloads that benefit most from higher boost clocks, and the i5-3470S's 3.60 GHz turbo ceiling gives it a distinct edge. For applications that rely on per-core speed, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, the data points to the i5-3470S as the superior part.

In multicore rendering, the i5-3470S also holds the advantage across all three Cinebench versions, with deltas ranging from 0.5% to 0.8%. While these margins are small, they are consistent, meaning that for sustained all-core workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering, the i5-3470S delivers slightly higher throughput. The i5-3350P's only measurable win is in Geekbench multicore, where its 1730 score edges out the i5-3470S by 0.2%. This suggests that in certain memory-sensitive or differently scheduled workloads, the i5-3350P's higher base clock can translate into a marginal advantage, but it is not enough to recommend it over the i5-3470S on performance grounds alone.

Another differentiator is integrated graphics. The i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-3350P has no integrated graphics at all. This means that the i5-3470S can power a display without a discrete GPU, making it suitable for basic office systems or troubleshooting setups, whereas the i5-3350P requires a dedicated graphics card for any output. This is a functional advantage for the i5-3470S, even though it does not appear in the benchmark scores.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470S outperforms the Intel Core i5-3350P in the majority of recorded benchmarks, winning seven out of eight tests. The largest margins are in single-core workloads, where the i5-3470S leads by 1.4% to 2.6%, and the multicore results show a smaller but consistent lead of 0.5% to 0.8%. The only counterpoint is the Geekbench multicore test, where the i5-3350P wins by 0.2%, a negligible difference that does not compensate for its losses elsewhere.

For users who prioritize raw CPU performance, the i5-3470S is the better choice. Its higher boost clock, measured at 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, translates into tangible wins in both single and multicore benchmarks. Additionally, the i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500 graphics, which the i5-3350P lacks, making it a more versatile processor for systems without a discrete GPU. The i5-3350P's only advantage is its lower base clock power draw, with a TDP of 69 watts versus 65 watts for the i5-3470S, but in terms of performance, it does not offer a compensating benefit.

The nearest rivals in the database confirm the close positioning of these parts. The i5-3470S sits near the Intel Core i7-2670QM, which has an average score of 1096 and a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core i7-4610M, with an average score of 1094 and a delta of 0.1%. The i5-3350P is aligned with the AMD Athlon 220GE, which has an identical average score of 1088 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core i5-2450P, with an average score of 1086 and a delta of 0.2%. Both chips are thus positioned in a tight cluster of mid-range processors from the same era, but the i5-3470S's average score of 1095 gives it a slight edge over the i5-3350P's 1088.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S scores 524 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-3350P scores 519, a 1% advantage for the i5-3470S.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-3350P ever beat the i5-3470S in any benchmark?

A: Yes, in Geekbench multicore, the i5-3350P scores 1730 against the i5-3470S's 1726, a 0.2% difference. This is the only test where the i5-3350P wins.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts. The i5-3470S consumes slightly less power.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-3350P has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, while the Intel Core i5-3350P has an average score of 1088, a difference of 7 points in favor of the i5-3470S.

Q: What is the boost clock for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, and the Intel Core i5-3350P has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture and 22 nm process node, with a die size of 133 mm². They share the same core and thread counts, 4 cores and 4 threads, and the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is identical, with dual-channel DDR3, and PCIe connectivity is the same, with Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU. The socket is Intel Socket 1155 for both, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The primary architectural difference is in clock speeds. The i5-3470S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-3350P has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.30 GHz. This means the i5-3350P starts at a higher frequency but cannot reach the same peak as the i5-3470S, which explains the benchmark results favoring the i5-3470S in most tests.

The second difference is the presence of integrated graphics. The i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-3350P has none. This does not affect CPU benchmark scores, but it is a functional difference that impacts system design. The i5-3350P's lack of iGPU means it is intended for builds with a discrete graphics card, whereas the i5-3470S can operate in a broader range of configurations.

The TDP also differs slightly, with the i5-3470S rated at 65 watts and the i5-3350P at 69 watts. This is a minor difference, but it suggests that the i5-3470S is marginally more power-efficient despite its higher boost clock. The release dates are also different, with the i5-3470S launched on 2012-05-31 and the i5-3350P on 2012-09-02, making the i5-3350P a later addition to the lineup. Both processors are part of the same Core i5 Ivy Bridge generation, and their part numbers, SR0TA for the i5-3470S and SR0WS for the i5-3350P, confirm their distinct SKUs.