Intel Core i5-7500T vs Intel Core i7-3770S Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770S and Intel Core i5-7500T are two low-power desktop processors from different eras, yet benchmark results show a fascinating split. The older i7-3770S, based on Ivy Bridge, dominates Cinebench workloads, while the newer i5-7500T, a Kaby Lake part, takes a decisive lead in Geekbench. The data reveals that architectural efficiency and thread count can outweigh generational age, depending on the specific test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has an average benchmark score of 1498, while the Intel Core i5-7500T scores 1483. The i7-3770S is 1% ahead of the i5-7500T in this metric.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S scores 5251 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i5-7500T scores 4454. This gives the i7-3770S an 17.9% advantage in that specific test.

Q: Is there a benchmark where the Intel Core i5-7500T wins?

A: Yes, the i5-7500T wins in Geekbench. It scores 3062 in multi-core and 1078 in single-core, while the i7-3770S scores 2220 and 655, respectively. The i5-7500T leads by 27.5% in multi-core and 39.2% in single-core.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both have 4 cores, but the Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7500T has 4 threads. The i7-3770S supports Hyper-Threading.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-7500T's boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth differ between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-7500T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-3770S supports DDR3, but the FACT PACK does not list a specific memory bandwidth figure for it.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification areas. The Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 threads, whereas the Intel Core i5-7500T has 4. The i7-3770S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the i5-7500T's 2.70 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i7-3770S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-7500T has a TDP of 35 watts. The i7-3770S uses the Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-7500T uses the Intel Socket 1151. The i7-3770S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i5-7500T has 6 MB. Memory support differs: the i7-3770S uses DDR3, and the i5-7500T uses DDR4. The i7-3770S features Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, while the i5-7500T features HD 630. The i7-3770S is built on a 22 nm process node, and the i5-7500T is built on a 14 nm node.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are starkly divided. The Intel Core i7-3770S wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, all of which are Cinebench workloads. The i5-7500T wins the remaining 2, which are Geekbench tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3770S scores 529 against the i5-7500T's 448, a delta of 18.1%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 74 for the i7-3770S versus 63 for the i5-7500T, a 17.5% difference. The margin remains consistent in Cinebench R20, where the i7-3770S leads by 17.9% in multi-core (2205 vs 1870) and 18.3% in single-core (311 vs 263). Cinebench R23 continues the trend, with the i7-3770S ahead by 17.9% in multi-core (5251 vs 4454) and 18% in single-core (741 vs 628).

The story reverses entirely in Geekbench. The i5-7500T scores 3062 in multi-core, a 27.5% advantage over the i7-3770S's 2220. The single-core gap is even larger: the i5-7500T scores 1078, which is 39.2% higher than the i7-3770S's 655. This is a significant swing, indicating that the i5-7500T's newer architecture is substantially more efficient in this particular benchmark suite.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770S is the clear winner in Cinebench rendering tests. Its 8 threads provide a tangible advantage in these workloads, as evidenced by the consistent 18% lead across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The i7-3770S also wins the Cinebench single-core tests, which is notable since the i5-7500T has a more modern architecture. This suggests that the i7-3770S's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz plays a significant role in these specific single-threaded tasks.

The Intel Core i5-7500T wins decisively in Geekbench. The 39.2% lead in single-core and 27.5% lead in multi-core indicate a substantial architectural efficiency advantage for Kaby Lake over Ivy Bridge in this workload. The i5-7500T's support for DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth may contribute to this result, as memory performance is a factor in Geekbench's overall score. For users whose applications rely on Geekbench-style performance, the i5-7500T is the stronger candidate.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3770S is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process node by Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The i5-7500T uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node. The FACT PACK does not list transistor count or die size for the i5-7500T. The i7-3770S has 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading, while the i5-7500T does not have this feature. The i7-3770S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-7500T has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i7-3770S supports DDR3 memory, while the i5-7500T supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7-3770S uses the Intel Socket 1155, and the i5-7500T uses the Intel Socket 1151. The i7-3770S has a 65-watt TDP, while the i5-7500T has a 35-watt TDP.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For Cinebench and similar rendering tasks, the Intel Core i7-3770S is the superior processor. Its 8 threads and higher clock speeds deliver a consistent 18% performance advantage across all Cinebench versions tested. The i7-3770S's 6 benchmark wins out of 8 head-to-head tests solidify its position as the better all-around performer in this comparison.

However, the Intel Core i5-7500T is the better choice for Geekbench-oriented workloads. Its 39.2% single-core and 27.5% multi-core leads are substantial, showing that the newer Kaby Lake architecture is significantly more efficient in this benchmark. The i5-7500T also offers a much lower TDP of 35 watts, which could be an advantage in power-constrained systems.

The percentile rankings tell a nuanced story. Both processors are at the 38th percentile compared to all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier overall. The i7-3770S's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-8100T, is only 0.1% behind with an average score of 1500. The i5-7500T's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-5575R, is 0.4% ahead with an average score of 1478. These close margins suggest that both CPUs are competitive within their respective peer groups.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to application. The i7-3770S offers better multi-threaded rendering performance and a higher boost clock, making it suitable for CPU-intensive creative work. The i5-7500T offers superior Geekbench performance and significantly lower power consumption, making it a stronger candidate for general-purpose computing and efficiency-focused builds. The data does not show a single winner across all metrics; it shows two processors with complementary strengths.