Core i5-3335S vs Core i7-7600U

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 i5-3335S vs Core i7-7600U 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 i5-3335S vs Core i7-7600U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3335S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,672 vs 3,687).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i7-7600U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-7600U

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3335S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7600U better than Core i5-3335S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3335S is ahead with a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7600U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-3335S 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 i7-7600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-7600U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-7600U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-3335S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7600U 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 i5-3335S vs Core i7-7600U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-7600U

The Core i7-7600U 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 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: 3,687 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3335S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-7600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3335S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3335S versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7600U — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-7600U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3335S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-7600U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3335S scores 3,672 against the Core i7-7600U's 3,687 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-7600U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3335S vs 4 MB on the Core i7-7600U.

Feature	Core i5-3335S	Core i7-7600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
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	3,672	3,687

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3335S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.