Core i5-3330 vs Core i5-4590T

Both the Core i5-3330 and Core i5-4590T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330 versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-4590T — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3330 (base: 3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4590T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330 scores 4,100 against the Core i5-4590T's 4,064 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-3330. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 917, a 41.8% lead for the Core i5-4590T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

The Core i5-3330 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4590T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3330) and B85,Q85,H81,Q87,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4590T).

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3330) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4590T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3330 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-4590T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3330 rivals FX-6300; Core i5-4590T rivals A8-7600.

The Core i5-3330 launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i5-4590T debuted at $192. At current prices ($21 vs $130), the Core i5-3330 is $109 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3330 delivers 195.2 pts/$ vs 31.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-4590T — making the Core i5-3330 the 144.8% better value option.