CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-760 and Intel Core i7-3770T are two desktop processors from different architectural generations, yet the benchmark data reveals a surprisingly close contest. The i5-760, a Lynnfield-based quad-core from 2010, and the i7-3770T, an Ivy Bridge-based quad-core with hyper-threading from 2012, land in the same performance percentile. The data shows a clear, albeit narrow, pattern of wins for the older i5-760 across the Cinebench suite, making the comparison less about generational leaps and more about the specific trade-offs between clock speed, power, and thread count.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent, with the Intel Core i5-760 edging out the i7-3770T in every single benchmark test. The largest margin of victory for the i5-760 comes in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where it scores 466 against the i7-3770T’s 464, a delta of 0.4%. This narrow lead is mirrored in the Cinebench R20 multicore test, where the i5-760 scores 1942 versus 1936, a 0.3% difference. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23 multicore, with the i5-760 posting 4624 against 4611, another 0.3% lead.

The single-core results are essentially a dead heat. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors score exactly 65, with the winner listed as the i5-760 due to a 0% delta. The same tie occurs in Cinebench R20 single-core, where both hit 273. Even in Cinebench R23 single-core, the difference is negligible at just one point: 652 for the i5-760 versus 651 for the i7-3770T, a 0.2% delta. This suggests that for single-threaded workloads, the two CPUs are functionally interchangeable in performance, despite their different boost clocks.

The overall win tally is 6-0 in favor of the i5-760, but the deltas are so small, all under half a percent, that they are likely within run-to-run variance. The i7-3770T’s higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz does not translate into a single-core victory, nor does its hyper-threading provide a multicore advantage in these tests. The data implies that the i5-760’s higher base clock of 2.80 GHz (versus 2.50 GHz) and its older architecture are enough to keep it ahead, but the margin is so slim that real-world users would struggle to notice a difference. The i7-3770T does have a Geekbench multicore score of 1916 and a single-core score of 592, but without a matching Geekbench score for the i5-760, these cannot be directly compared in the head-to-head table.

Where Each One Wins

Looking strictly at the benchmark wins, the Intel Core i5-760 wins every head-to-head contest, making it the outright performance leader in this matchup. Its wins are concentrated in both multicore and single-core Cinebench tests, with the largest edge appearing in the multicore R15 test. The data suggests the i5-760 is the better choice for anyone running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, where its slightly higher clock speeds and raw core performance give it a marginal but consistent advantage.

The Intel Core i7-3770T, despite having no direct benchmark wins, still has its own strengths based on its specification profile. It features hyper-threading, giving it 8 threads versus the i5-760’s 4 threads, which is not reflected in these particular Cinebench scores. The i7-3770T also has a significantly lower TDP of 45 watts compared to the i5-760’s 95 watts, indicating it is far more power-efficient. Additionally, the i7-3770T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), whereas the i5-760 has no integrated graphics listed. Therefore, while the i5-760 wins on raw benchmark performance, the i7-3770T wins on power consumption and platform features like integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-760 has an average benchmark score of 1337, while the Intel Core i7-3770T has an average of 1314. The i5-760 also sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, matching the i7-3770T’s 35th percentile.

Q: How does the i7-3770T compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i7-3770T’s nearest rival is the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U, which has an average score of 1311 and a delta of 0.2% (meaning the i7-3770T is 0.2% ahead). It is also closely matched with the Intel Core i5-4570R, which scores 1318 with a -0.3% delta.

Q: Is the i5-760 faster in single-core tests?

A: The data shows a tie in Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests, with both processors scoring 65 and 273 respectively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-760 wins by a single point (652 vs 651), a 0.2% delta.

Q: Does the i7-3770T have more threads?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-3770T supports 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-760 supports 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-760 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Intel Core i7-3770T has a TDP of 45 watts. This makes the i7-3770T substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which CPU has a newer architecture?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770T uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-760 uses the Nehalem architecture (codename Lynnfield) on a 45 nm node. The i7-3770T is also newer, with a release date in April 2012 versus July 2010 for the i5-760.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Intel Core i5-760 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.33 GHz, whereas the Intel Core i7-3770T has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator: the i5-760 draws 95 watts, while the i7-3770T draws only 45 watts. The socket types also differ, with the i5-760 using Intel Socket 1156 and the i7-3770T using Intel Socket 1155.

The process node and physical characteristics are distinct. The i5-760 is built on a 45 nm process with 774 million transistors and a die size of 296 mm². In contrast, the i7-3770T is built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a smaller die size of 160 mm². The PCIe support also differs: the i5-760 supports Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3770T supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7-3770T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000), while the i5-760 has no integrated graphics listed. Finally, the i7-3770T supports 8 threads, while the i5-760 supports 4 threads.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these are two distinct generations of Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core i5-760 is based on the Nehalem architecture with the codename Lynnfield, representing the first-generation Core i5 lineup. The Intel Core i7-3770T is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture with the same codename, representing a later Core i7 generation. The most significant architectural shift is the process node: the i5-760 uses a 45 nm process, while the i7-3770T uses a 22 nm process, allowing the latter to pack 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, compared to 774 million transistors in a 296 mm² die for the former.

Both processors feature 4 cores and share an identical cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The key architectural difference lies in thread support, the i7-3770T enables hyper-threading, doubling its thread count to 8, while the i5-760 does not. The i7-3770T also brings a newer PCIe generation (Gen 3 versus Gen 2) and an integrated GPU, which the i5-760 lacks. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-760 is the faster processor in this pairing, winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. Users prioritizing raw Cinebench multicore or single-core scores should choose the i5-760, as it leads by 0.4% in R15 multicore, 0.3% in R20 multicore, and 0.2% in R23 multicore. Its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz appears to compensate for the i7-3770T’s newer architecture and higher boost clock, making it the performance pick despite being older.

However, the Intel Core i7-3770T is the better choice for users who value power efficiency and platform features. Its 45-watt TDP is less than half the i5-760’s 95-watt TDP, making it far more suitable for compact or low-power builds. The inclusion of integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000) eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, and its 8 threads offer potential headroom for multithreaded applications, even if the Cinebench scores do not reflect an advantage here. The i7-3770T also supports PCIe Gen 3, which is a generational improvement over the i5-760’s Gen 2 support. In short, the data shows the i5-760 wins on performance, while the i7-3770T wins on efficiency and features.