Athlon X4 880K vs Core i5-3335S

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i5-3335S Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 880K

4 / 4

3,649

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3335S

4 / 4

3,672

+0.6%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i5-3335S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i5-3335S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon X4 880K

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $130 less on MSRP ($95 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 135.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($95 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,649 vs 3,672).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i5-3335S

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 880K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.3 vs 38.4 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $95 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 880K better than Core i5-3335S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 880K is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3335S pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3335S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Athlon X4 880K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 880K comes in $130 cheaper on MSRP at $95 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3335S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 135.4% better value on MSRP (38.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon X4 880K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 880K vs Core i5-3335S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Athlon X4 880K

The Athlon X4 880K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,649 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-3335S

The Core i5-3335S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,672 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 880K and Core i5-3335S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 880K versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3335S — a 27% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 880K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Athlon X4 880K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3335S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 880K scores 3,649 against the Core i5-3335S's 3,672 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3335S.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i5-3335S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+31%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+48%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,649	3,672

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 880K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3335S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i5-3335S
Socket	FM2+	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 880K was priced at $95, while the Core i5-3335S came in at $225. On launch pricing ($95 vs $225), Athlon X4 880K was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 880K delivers 38.4 pts/$ vs 16.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3335S — making the Athlon X4 880K the 80.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 880K	Core i5-3335S
MSRP	$95-58%	$225
Performance per Dollar	38.4+136%	16.3
Release Date	2015	2012

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