Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-3330S

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.

Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-3330S 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.

Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-3330S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4370

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $82 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Delivers 52.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.9 vs 16.9 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 77W, a 23W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,854 vs 3,915).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.9 vs 25.9 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌42.6% higher power demand at 77W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4370 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4370.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4370 better than Core i5-3330S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4370 is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark. Core i5-3330S also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i3-4370 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4370 comes in $82 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3330S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.6% better PassMark. It is also 52.6% better value on MSRP (25.9 vs 16.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-4370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4370 vs Core i5-3330S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4370

The Core i3-4370 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,854 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i5-3330S

The Core i5-3330S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 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: 3,915 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4370 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3330S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3330S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-4370 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4370 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-4370 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4370 scores 3,854 against the Core i5-3330S's 3,915 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-3330S. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4370 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S.

Feature	Core i3-4370	Core i5-3330S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+41%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,854	3,915+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,454	—
Geekbench 6 Single	904	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,071	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4370 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3330S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4370	Core i5-3330S
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i3-4370) / not specified (Core i5-3330S). The Core i3-4370 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-3330S requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-4370	Core i5-3330S
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4600	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4370 was priced at $149, while the Core i5-3330S came in at $231. On launch pricing ($149 vs $231), Core i3-4370 was $82 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4370 delivers 25.9 pts/$ vs 16.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-3330S — making the Core i3-4370 the 41.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4370	Core i5-3330S
MSRP	$149-35%	$231
Performance per Dollar	25.9+53%	16.9
Release Date	2014	2012

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