Core i5-3330S vs Core i5-7260U

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 i5-3330S vs Core i5-7260U 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 i5-3330S vs Core i5-7260U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,915 vs 3,953).
❌Launch MSRP is still $231 MSRP, while Core i5-7260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌413.3% higher power demand at 77W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7260U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 77W, a 62W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 640, while Core i5-3330S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3330S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7260U better than Core i5-3330S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3330S is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U pulls ahead with 1% 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 i5-7260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7260U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i5-3330S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 i5-3330S vs Core i5-7260U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3330S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-7260U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3330S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-7260U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-3330S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7260U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330S scores 3,915 against the Core i5-7260U's 3,953 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-7260U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U.

Feature	Core i5-3330S	Core i5-7260U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,915	3,953
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,192

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3330S	Core i5-7260U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3330S) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7260U). The Core i5-7260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 640), while the Core i5-3330S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.