Core i5-3470S vs Core i3-6300
Core i5-3470S
Core i3-6300
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-3470S is positioned at rank 711 and the Core i3-6300 is on rank 603, so the Core i3-6300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3470S
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($37) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+170%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($37) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3470S and Core i3-6300
Core i5-3470S
The Core i5-3470S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 4,374 points. Launch price was $200.
Core i3-6300
The Core i3-6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) 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): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,331 points. Launch price was $147.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3470S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6300 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3470S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470S versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-6300 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-6300 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470S scores 4,374 against the Core i3-6300's 4,331 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-3470S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470S vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.8 GHz+31% |
| 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) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,374 | 4,331 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3470S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6300 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3470S) / not specified (Core i3-6300). The Core i5-3470S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i3-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3470S targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3470S launched at $184 MSRP, while the Core i3-6300 debuted at $147. At current prices ($37 vs $99), the Core i5-3470S is $62 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470S delivers 118.2 pts/$ vs 43.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-6300 — making the Core i5-3470S the 92% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3470S | Core i3-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $184 | $147-20% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $37-63% | $99 |
| Performance per Dollar | 118.2+170% | 43.7 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2015 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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