Intel Core i5-3350P vs Intel Core i7-2710QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i5-3350P across every shared benchmark in the database. This is not a close contest; the desktop part wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with the i7-2710QE trailing by roughly 13.5 percent in each test. The consistency of the margin is striking, as the gap barely moves regardless of workload, suggesting a fundamental throughput difference rather than a quirk of any single test.

Starting with multi-core performance, the i5-3350P posts a Cinebench R15 score of 371 against 321 for the i7-2710QE, a delta of -13.5 percent. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5 scores 1546 versus 1338, again a -13.5 percent difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 reaches 3681 while the i7 manages 3186, a -13.4 percent gap. These results indicate that despite the i7 having twice the thread count, the i5's higher clock speeds and newer architecture more than compensate.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3350P scores 217 versus 188 for the i7-2710QE, a -13.4 percent delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 519 versus 449, a -13.5 percent difference. The i5-3350P also has additional benchmarks recorded that the i7 lacks: a Geekbench multi-core score of 1730 and a Geekbench single-core score of 584. These are not directly comparable to the i7, but they reinforce the overall picture of a faster chip.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the two processors are extremely close. The i7-2710QE has an average score of 1096, while the i5-3350P sits at 1088. The i7 lands in the 31st percentile of all CPUs, and the i5 in the 30th. This near-parity in aggregate scoring, despite the i5 winning every direct comparison, reflects how the i7's extra threads boost its standing in some workloads while the i5's superior per-core performance carries the day in others. The nearest rivals for the i7 include the Intel Core i7-2670QM at an identical 1096 average score, the Intel Core i5-3470S at 1095, and the AMD PRO A10-8850B at 1098. The i5-3350P's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon 220GE at 1088, the Intel Core i5-2450P at 1086, and the Intel Core i3-6320 at 1085.

The data indicates the i5-3350P is faster in every benchmark where both processors were measured. The i7-2710QE does not win a single head-to-head test in this comparison.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3350P is the faster processor in every measured scenario. If the choice is purely about performance, the i5-3350P is the pick. It holds a consistent 13.5 percent lead over the i7-2710QE in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, which means it will render faster, respond quicker in lightly threaded tasks, and generally feel snappier in everyday use.

However, the i7-2710QE has its own arguments. It is a mobile processor with a 45 watt TDP, versus 69 watts for the desktop i5. It also supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, which can be relevant in heavily threaded applications that scale beyond four cores. The i7's average benchmark score of 1096 is slightly higher than the i5's 1088, and its 31st percentile ranking edges out the i5's 30th. For users who need lower power consumption, integrated graphics, or a mobile platform, the i7-2710QE is the only one of these two that fits.

The i5-3350P, by contrast, targets desktop builders who want raw compute performance and do not need integrated graphics. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3681 is the highest recorded for either chip, and its Geekbench results give it additional headroom in workloads not covered by the shared tests. The verdict from the data: choose the i5-3350P for speed, choose the i7-2710QE for mobility and efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing nodes. The i7-2710QE is built on Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process, while the i5-3350P uses Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink gives the i5 a transistor density advantage, though the database only records a die size of 216 mm² for the i7 and 133 mm² for the i5. The i7 lists 1,160 million transistors; the i5's transistor count is not recorded.

Both chips have four physical cores and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches are identical as well: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2. The key architectural difference is threading. The i7-2710QE supports Hyper-Threading, bringing its thread count to 8, while the i5-3350P is limited to 4 threads. This explains why the i7 can stay competitive in aggregate benchmarks despite losing every direct comparison.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The i7-2710QE has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The i5-3350P runs at 3.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i5's higher clocks, combined with the more efficient Ivy Bridge architecture, are the primary reason it wins every benchmark despite fewer threads.

The i7-2710QE includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 3000, while the i5-3350P has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the i5 dependent on a discrete GPU, but it also frees up die space and power for compute. The i7 uses socket Intel Socket G2 (988B) and targets the mobile segment, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1155 and is a desktop part. The i5 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU; the database records no PCIe information for the i7.

Memory support differs as well. The i5-3350P explicitly supports DDR3 memory, while the i7-2710QE's memory support is not recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The i7-2710QE was released in January 2011 and is marked as end-of-life. The i5-3350P was released in September 2012, and its production status is not recorded. The i7's part number is SR02T, and the i5's is SR0WS.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3350P wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. It scores 371 in Cinebench R15, 1546 in Cinebench R20, and 3681 in Cinebench R23, versus 321, 1338, and 3186 for the i7-2710QE respectively.

Q: Does the i7-2710QE have any performance advantage?

A: In the head-to-head benchmarks, no. The i5-3350P wins all five shared tests. However, the i7 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1096 versus 1088, and a higher CPU percentile ranking of 31 versus 30.

Q: Why does the i7-2710QE have more threads but lose?

A: The i7 supports Hyper-Threading for 8 threads total, while the i5 has 4 threads. But the i5 runs at a higher clock speed (3.10 GHz base, 3.30 GHz boost versus 2.10 GHz and 3.00 GHz) and uses newer Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, which gives it better per-core performance.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The i7-2710QE includes Intel HD 3000 graphics. The i5-3350P has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i7-2710QE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-3350P has a TDP of 69 watts. The i7 is a mobile processor, and the i5 is a desktop processor.

Q: Are they compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i7-2710QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a mobile socket, while the i5-3350P uses Intel Socket 1155 for desktop boards.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3350P wins every benchmark where both are measured. It leads by 13.5 percent in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 13.5 percent in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 13.4 percent in Cinebench R20 single-core, 13.4 percent in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 13.5 percent in Cinebench R23 single-core. For any user prioritizing raw compute throughput, rendering, or single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-3350P is the clear choice. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.10 GHz and 3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 3.00 GHz) and newer Ivy Bridge architecture deliver consistent wins across the board.

The i7-2710QE wins in scenarios that are not about raw speed. Its 45 watt TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the i5's 69 watt TDP, which matters for laptops and compact mobile systems. It includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, so it can run without a discrete GPU, while the i5 cannot. Its 8 threads give it additional parallelism that can help in multithreaded applications that are well-optimized for more than four threads, even if the Cinebench suite does not show an advantage. Its slightly higher average benchmark score of 1096 versus 1088 also suggests that in a broader mix of workloads, the two chips are closer than the head-to-head tests imply.

For desktop builders with a discrete GPU, the i5-3350P is the obvious choice. For mobile users who need lower power draw and integrated graphics, the i7-2710QE is the only viable option between the two. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, which is useful for modern GPUs, while the i7's PCIe capabilities are not recorded in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i7-2710QE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3350P has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.10 GHz for the i7 and 3.10 GHz for the i5. Boost clocks are 3.00 GHz for the i7 and 3.30 GHz for the i5. TDP is 45 watts for the i7 and 69 watts for the i5.

The i7 uses Intel Socket G2 (988B) and Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1155 and Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process. The i7 has a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors. The i5 has a die size of 133 mm², and its transistor count is not recorded.

Both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i7 includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, while the i5 has none. The i7 is a mobile processor, and the i5 is a desktop processor. The i5 supports DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7's memory support and PCIe capabilities are not recorded in the database. The i7 was released in January 2011 and is end-of-life; the i5 was released in September 2012. Neither has an unlocked multiplier or ECC memory support.