Intel Core i7-3770S
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i7-3770S Specifications
Core i7-3770S Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i7-3770S features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i7-3770S Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i7-3770S benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i7-3770S by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i7-3770S Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i7-3770S processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i7-3770S's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Ivy Bridge Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i7-3770S is built on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i7-3770S incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Ivy Bridge Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i7-3770S by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i7-3770S Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i7-3770S has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1155 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i7-3770S uses the Intel Socket 1155 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1155 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i7-3770S define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i7-3770S determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i7-3770S Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i7-3770S provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i7-3770S Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i7-3770S by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i7-3770S Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i7-3770S performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core i7-3770S handles tasks that can't be parallelized.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i7-3770S. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i7-3770S. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i7-3770S after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i7-3770S maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i7-3770S across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance. Higher scores indicate better capability in multitasking and content creation. The cross-platform nature of Geekbench allows direct comparison with systems running different operating systems.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i7-3770S can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use. Many applications still depend primarily on single-thread performance. Gaming performance is also heavily influenced by single-core speed in CPU-limited scenarios.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i7-3770S
The Intel Core i7-3770S is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor built on Intel’s 22nm Ivy Bridge architecture. It operates at a 3.10 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.90 GHz, with a 65W TDP that makes it a low-power member of the Core i7 lineup. Its average benchmark score of 1500 places it in the 39th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms only about two-fifths of the processors tracked. This is a dated but serviceable part, whose strengths lie in multi-threaded throughput and energy efficiency rather than raw single-core speed.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is stark and revealing. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 742 in single-core and 5258 in multi-core. That multi-core figure is more than seven times the single-core number, indicating that the eight threads are well utilized in heavily parallel workloads. The same pattern holds across other benchmarks: Cinebench R20 shows 311 single-core versus 2208 multi-core, and Cinebench R15 shows 74 versus 529. Geekbench reports 655 single-core and 2220 multi-core.
These ratios tell a clear story: the i7-3770S is far more capable when all threads are engaged. The 4-core/8-thread configuration, combined with a 3.90 GHz boost clock, allows it to scale effectively in rendering, encoding, and compilation tasks. However, the single-thread scores are modest. A 742 in Cinebench R23 single-core is well below what modern processors achieve, and even the 655 Geekbench single-core result lags behind contemporary low-end chips. For workloads that depend on one or two threads, such as older games, spreadsheet recalculation, or light web browsing, the processor will feel its age. The boost clock helps, but the underlying Ivy Bridge architecture lacks the instruction-level efficiency of newer designs.
Real-world implications are straightforward. Multi-threaded applications like video transcoding, 3D rendering, and batch photo processing will benefit from the eight threads and the relatively strong multi-core scores. Single-thread-bound tasks, including many legacy games and office macros, will not see the same advantage. Users should expect the i7-3770S to behave like a solid mid-range multi-core chip from its era, with single-thread performance that is merely adequate.
Power and Thermals
The i7-3770S carries a 65W TDP, which is notably low for a 4-core/8-thread desktop processor. This is a deliberate design choice, the “S” suffix typically denotes a power-optimized variant. Built on Intel’s 22nm process with 1.4 billion transistors on a 160 mm² die, the chip achieves respectable performance while keeping heat output manageable. A 65W TDP class means that a modest air cooler is sufficient; no exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsink is required. In a standard desktop chassis, a stock Intel cooler or a low-profile third-party unit will keep temperatures in check under sustained load.
The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics adds a small amount of thermal overhead, but it is not a significant burden. Because the TDP is low, the processor is also suitable for compact builds or systems where acoustic noise is a concern. The 22nm process node helps with efficiency, and the lack of a factory-unlocked multiplier (the multiplier is locked) means that users cannot easily push voltage and clock speeds beyond the rated values, further limiting thermal stress. For anyone building a quiet, low-power office machine or a home server, the 65W envelope is a clear advantage.
Benchmark Performance
Across the benchmark suite, the i7-3770S delivers consistent, if unremarkable, results. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5258 multi-core and 742 single-core. The multi-core score is strong enough to handle moderate rendering tasks, but it is far from competitive with modern 6-core or 8-core parts. Cinebench R20 shows 2208 multi-core and 311 single-core, while Cinebench R15 shows 529 and 74. Geekbench results are 2220 multi-core and 655 single-core. These numbers place the processor in the 39th percentile overall, meaning it is slower than 61% of all CPUs tracked.
Comparing to its nearest rivals, the i7-3770S is nearly identical in average score to several other processors. Against the Intel Core i3-8100T, it is 0.1% slower (average score 1501 vs 1500). Against the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E, it is 0.5% slower (1508 vs 1500). However, it beats the AMD Opteron 6344 by 0.6% (1492 vs 1500) and the Intel Core i5-6600 by 0.8% (1488 vs 1500). These deltas are tiny, less than a single percent, so the i7-3770S is effectively in the same performance class as these chips. The i3-8100T and Pentium Gold G7400E are newer, more efficient parts, but the i7-3770S holds its own in raw throughput thanks to its extra threads.
The practical takeaway is that the i7-3770S is a mid-tier performer by 2012 standards and a low-tier performer today. Its multi-core scores are respectable for a 4-core/8-thread chip, but its single-core scores are the limiting factor. In any benchmark that relies heavily on single-thread performance, the processor will fall behind even entry-level modern CPUs. For multi-threaded workloads, it can still deliver usable results, but the performance gap to contemporary processors is substantial.
Who Should Consider It
The i7-3770S is best suited for workloads that leverage its eight threads and tolerate its modest single-core speed. For content creation tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or batch image processing, the multi-core scores (5258 in Cinebench R23, 2220 in Geekbench) provide enough throughput for occasional or light professional use. Office productivity, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, is entirely within its capabilities, though single-thread-heavy applications will not feel snappy by modern standards. The integrated HD 4000 graphics handles basic display output and legacy games, but it is not a gaming GPU.
Gamers should look elsewhere. The single-core score of 742 in Cinebench R23 is a clear bottleneck for modern game engines, which typically rely on 2–4 threads with high per-core performance. Even with a discrete graphics card, the i7-3770S will limit frame rates in CPU-bound titles. For a budget home server or a network-attached storage (NAS) build, the 65W TDP and 8 threads make it a viable choice for transcoding or running multiple virtual machines, provided the workload is not extremely demanding.
Legacy system owners who already have an LGA1155 motherboard may find the i7-3770S a worthwhile upgrade over a dual-core Pentium or Core i3 from the same era. Its 8 threads and 8MB of L3 cache give it a significant multi-threaded advantage. However, for anyone building a new system, the platform is obsolete, and modern entry-level processors offer better performance per watt and far better single-thread results.
FAQ
Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3770S support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor uses DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.
Q: What socket does the i7-3770S use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155).
Q: What is the boost clock speed of the i7-3770S?
A: The base clock is 3.10 GHz and the maximum boost clock is 3.90 GHz.
Q: Does the i7-3770S have integrated graphics?
A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.
Q: What is the TDP of the i7-3770S?
A: The thermal design power (TDP) is 65 watts.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: It provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU itself.
Platform and Compatibility
The i7-3770S is designed for the Intel Socket 1155 platform, which was used by Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge processors. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC capability. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for discrete graphics or other expansion cards. Integrated graphics are handled by Intel HD 4000, which is suitable for basic display output but not for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads.
The platform is limited to DDR3 memory, which is now outdated compared to DDR4 and DDR5. Upgrading from this socket requires a new motherboard and memory, as there is no forward compatibility. The 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are sufficient for a single graphics card, but they do not support the bandwidth of modern PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 devices. The locked multiplier means overclocking is not possible, though the 65W TDP already provides a good balance of performance and efficiency. For users already on an LGA1155 board, the i7-3770S is a drop-in upgrade that adds two cores and four threads over many earlier dual-core parts.
How It Compares
Intel Core i3-8100T
The i3-8100T is a modern 4-core/4-thread processor with a slightly higher average score of 1501. The i7-3770S is 0.1% slower in the overall average, meaning the two are virtually identical in mixed workloads. However, the i3-8100T has no hyper-threading, so the i7-3770S will outperform it in heavily threaded tasks, while the i3-8100T likely has better single-core performance despite the similar average.
Intel Pentium Gold G7400E
The Pentium Gold G7400E scores 1508 on average, making the i7-3770S 0.5% slower. This is a dual-core processor with hyper-threading, so the i7-3770S has twice the physical cores. In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-3770S should pull ahead, but the Pentium Gold’s newer architecture gives it an edge in single-thread tasks. The average score difference is negligible.
AMD Opteron 6344
The Opteron 6344 is an older server processor with an average score of 1492. The i7-3770S is 0.6% faster. The Opteron has more cores, but its architecture is less efficient per core. In real-world desktop applications, the i7-3770S will feel more responsive, while the Opteron may be better suited for highly parallel server workloads.
Intel Core i5-6600
The i5-6600 is a 4-core/4-thread desktop CPU from the Skylake generation, scoring 1488 on average. The i7-3770S is 0.8% faster, a marginal difference. The i5-6600 has a higher clock speed and newer architecture, giving it better single-core performance, but the i7-3770S’s hyper-threading helps in multi-threaded scenarios. The overall performance is effectively a tie, with the i7-3770S edging ahead in the aggregate.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i7-3770S
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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