Intel Core i5-3475S

The Intel Core i5-3475S is a 4-core, 4-thread Ivy Bridge desktop processor that lands in the 30th percentile of all CPUs tested, indicating a decidedly entry-level position in the modern performance hierarchy. Its average benchmark score of 1085 places it in a tightly contested cluster of older and lower-power parts, where the margin between competitors is measured in fractions of a percent rather than meaningful performance gaps. The data shows a processor that was competent for its 2012 era but is now relegated to basic computing tasks, with its architectural age limiting its ability to keep pace with contemporary workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results consistently show a processor that is adequate for light duties but struggles under sustained multi-threaded load. In Cinebench R23, the i5-3475S scores 3655 points in multi-core and 516 points in single-core, figures that place it far below modern entry-level processors. The multi-core score represents a significant bottleneck for any parallel workload, while the single-core score indicates modest per-thread performance that is sufficient for older applications but insufficient for demanding modern software.

The Geekbench results reinforce this picture, with a multi-core score of 1731 and a single-core score of 607. The gap between these numbers reveals that the processor's four physical cores without Hyper-Threading provide only limited scaling in threaded applications. The Cinebench R20 scores of 1535 multi-core and 216 single-core, along with R15 scores of 368 multi-core and 51 single-core, follow the same pattern, with the processor consistently delivering roughly 3-4 times more performance in multi-threaded tests than single-threaded ones, which is expected for a true quad-core design.

When compared directly to its nearest rivals, the performance differences are negligible. The i5-3475S is 0.1% slower than the Intel Core i5-2450P and 0.2% slower than the Intel Pentium 6805, while being 0.2% faster than the Intel Core i5-3350P and 0.3% faster than the Intel Core i5-3450S. These deltas are within run-to-run variance and effectively mean the processor is performance-identical to all four rivals. The average scores of 1086, 1087, 1083, and 1088 for the respective rivals confirm that this entire group of processors occupies the same performance stratum, with no meaningful winner among them.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is suitable for basic office productivity, web browsing, and legacy software that does not demand high core counts or modern instruction sets. The single-core score of 516 in Cinebench R23 suggests it can handle word processing, spreadsheet work, and email without noticeable lag, though users should expect slower response times in heavily scripted web pages or modern web applications. For light multitasking with a few applications open, the four physical cores provide adequate responsiveness, but the lack of Hyper-Threading means that running many concurrent threads will quickly saturate the available execution resources.

Gamers should avoid this processor for anything beyond older titles or very light indie games. The multi-core score of 3655 in Cinebench R23 indicates that modern games, which typically require strong multi-threaded performance, will struggle to maintain playable frame rates. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics further limits gaming capability, as this GPU is only suitable for esports titles at low settings and resolutions. Content creators and professionals running video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation will find the processor severely lacking, as these workloads benefit greatly from higher core counts and newer architectures.

The processor is best suited for users building a low-cost system for basic tasks, particularly those who already own compatible DDR3 memory and an LGA 1155 motherboard. It can serve as a reliable platform for a home server, a lightweight NAS, or a dedicated machine for legacy 32-bit applications. However, for any workload that benefits from modern instruction set extensions such as AVX2, this processor will be a clear bottleneck.

Power and Thermals

The i5-3475S carries a 65W TDP, which classifies it within the standard desktop power envelope for its generation. This TDP means that a modest air cooler is entirely sufficient to maintain safe operating temperatures under load. The 22nm process node helps keep heat output manageable, and the processor does not require advanced cooling solutions or high-end thermal management. The 65W figure also indicates that the processor is not intended for aggressive overclocking, and the locked multiplier confirms that it is not designed for enthusiast tuning.

The power characteristics of this processor are one of its few remaining strengths. In a system with modest other components, the 65W TDP allows for a compact and quiet build with a small power supply. Users building a low-power home server or a basic desktop for everyday tasks will find the thermal behavior easy to manage with even a stock cooler. The processor's age means it does not support modern power management features such as per-core frequency control or fine-grained power gating found in newer designs, but for its intended use cases, the power draw is not a concern.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i5-3475S compare to the Core i5-3350P?

A: The two processors are effectively identical in performance. The i5-3475S has an average benchmark score of 1085, which is 0.2% higher than the i5-3350P's average score of 1083, placing them within run-to-run variance of each other.

Q: What is the processor's memory support?

A: The i5-3475S supports dual-channel DDR3 memory and does not support ECC memory. This limits it to standard consumer memory configurations and makes it unsuitable for error-correcting workstation or server use cases.

Q: Does the processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the processor includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. This GPU is sufficient for basic display output and very light graphics tasks but is not suitable for modern gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads.

Q: What socket does the i5-3475S use?

A: The processor uses the Intel Socket 1155 interface, which is compatible with motherboards from the 6-series and 7-series chipsets of that era. This socket is now obsolete, limiting upgrade options.

Q: Is the processor overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, and the processor does not support overclocking. The 65W TDP and locked design indicate it is intended for standard operation within its specified clock speeds.

Q: What is the processor's release date?

A: The i5-3475S was released on May 31, 2012, making it an older-generation part that is now well past its prime for modern workloads.

How It Compares

The Intel Core i5-2450P is the closest rival, with an average score of 1086, making the i5-3475S 0.1% slower. These processors are essentially interchangeable in performance, though the i5-3475S offers integrated graphics while the i5-2450P does not, which may be a deciding factor for builds without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Pentium 6805, despite being a newer and lower-tier product, performs on par with the i5-3475S, with the i5-3475S being 0.2% slower. This highlights how much performance has improved in lower-end processors over the years, as a modern Pentium matches an older quad-core i5.

The Intel Core i5-3350P is the only rival that the i5-3475S edges out, with the i5-3475S being 0.2% faster. Like the i5-2450P, the i5-3350P lacks integrated graphics, so the i5-3475S holds a feature advantage despite the negligible performance difference.

The Intel Core i5-3450S is the most directly comparable rival, being another S-series low-power Ivy Bridge part. The i5-3475S is 0.3% slower than the i5-3450S, with average scores of 1085 and 1088 respectively, placing them in a dead heat for all practical purposes.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-thread performance of the i5-3475S is its relative strength, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 516 that is 14% of its multi-core score of 3655. This ratio indicates that the processor scales reasonably well across its four cores, but the absolute single-thread score is low by modern standards. For applications that rely primarily on one or two threads, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity software, the processor will perform adequately but without any headroom for demanding tasks.

The multi-thread behavior shows a processor that is limited by both its core count and its architectural age. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 1535 is only 26% higher than its single-core score of 216, which is lower scaling than expected for a quad-core, suggesting that thermal or power constraints may be limiting sustained multi-threaded operation. In real-world terms, this means that the processor will handle light multi-tasking well but will bog down when running heavily threaded applications like video encoding or 3D rendering. The Geekbench multi-core score of 1731 versus a single-core score of 607 shows similar scaling behavior, confirming that the processor delivers modest multi-threaded gains without dramatic improvements over its single-core capability.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3475S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22nm process node from Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1155 interface, which is a legacy platform that requires a compatible 6-series or 7-series motherboard. The processor supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, which is now outdated compared to DDR4 and DDR5 standards, limiting memory bandwidth and capacity options for modern workloads.

The processor provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which is sufficient for a single discrete graphics card but does not support multiple GPU configurations at full bandwidth. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics provides basic display output, though users will likely need a discrete GPU for any serious graphics work. The memory bus is dual-channel, and the processor does not support ECC memory, limiting its use in server or workstation environments where error correction is required.

The upgrade path for this platform is essentially non-existent, as Socket 1155 is no longer supported by modern processors. Users are limited to other Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge parts, which offer no meaningful performance improvement over the i5-3475S. The processor's cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache, which is adequate for its era but small compared to modern processors with larger caches and higher memory bandwidth. The part number SR0PP identifies this specific SKU, and the processor is not multiplier unlocked, confirming its position as a mainstream, non-overclockable part.