Core i5-3330S vs Pentium Gold G5500

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 Pentium Gold G5500 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 Pentium Gold G5500: 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

✅+1.8% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G5500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $231 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌42.6% higher power demand at 77W vs 54W.

Pentium Gold G5500

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 77W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,846 vs 3,915).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5500 better than Core i5-3330S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G5500 is ahead with a 6.7% 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 1.8% 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 1.8% 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?

Pentium Gold G5500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G5500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3330S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Pentium Gold G5500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3330S vs Pentium Gold G5500 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.

Pentium Gold G5500

The Pentium Gold G5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,846 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3330S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5500 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 3.8 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5500 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-3330S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5500 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3330S scores 3,915 against the Pentium Gold G5500's 3,846 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-3330S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5500.

Feature	Core i5-3330S	Pentium Gold G5500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,915+2%	3,846

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3330S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G5500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.