Core i5-2310 vs Core i5-3335S

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 i5-2310 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.

Core i5-2310 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.

Core i5-2310

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($177 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.7 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($177 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core i5-3335S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3335S.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3335S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,664 vs 3,672).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i5-3335S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.3 vs 20.7 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2310 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2310.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3335S better than Core i5-2310?

Yes. Core i5-3335S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3335S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3335S is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3335S comes in 27.1% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2310 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 26.8% better value on paper (20.7 vs 16.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i5-3335S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2310 vs Core i5-3335S Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2310

The Core i5-2310 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,664 points. Launch price was $150.

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 Core i5-2310 and Core i5-3335S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2310 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3335S — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-2310 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-3335S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2310 scores 3,664 against the Core i5-3335S's 3,672 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-3335S. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Core i5-3335S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+7%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,664	3,672
Geekbench 6 Single	565	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,740	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Core i5-3335S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-2310) / not specified (Core i5-3335S). The Core i5-2310 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i5-3335S requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Core i5-3335S
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2310 was priced at $177, while the Core i5-3335S came in at $225. On launch pricing ($177 vs $225), Core i5-2310 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2310 delivers 20.7 pts/$ vs 16.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3335S — making the Core i5-2310 the 23.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2310	Core i5-3335S
MSRP	$177-21%	$225
Performance per Dollar	20.7+27%	16.3
Release Date	2011	2012

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