Home / Intel Core i5 / Intel Core i5-3337U: Performance and Specs

Intel Core i5-3337U

Intel Core i5-3337U in 2025: Is It Worth Considering an Outdated Processor?

Analysis of Capabilities, Use Cases, and Alternatives

Architecture and Process Technology: What's Inside?

The Intel Core i5-3337U, released in 2013, belongs to the Ivy Bridge generation. This is the third reincarnation of the Intel Core microarchitecture, succeeding Sandy Bridge. Key features include:

- 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Base clock of 1.8 GHz, turbo mode up to 2.7 GHz (for a single core).

- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 with a base frequency of 350 MHz and peak frequency of 1.1 GHz.

- 22nm process technology, which for its time represented progress in energy efficiency.

Despite supporting DirectX 11, the iGPU HD 4000 is poorly suited for modern gaming—even in 2013, it could only handle simple projects like CS:GO or Dota 2 on low settings.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balance Between Power and Battery Life

The 17W TDP indicates that the processor is designed for thin laptops and ultrabooks. In 2013, this was a compromise:

- Low heat output allowed for devices to be built without active cooling (like hybrids such as the Lenovo Yoga 2).

- However, under load (e.g., video rendering), the chip quickly reached temperature limits, reducing its frequency to the base clock.

In comparison, modern 15W processors (e.g., Intel Core i5-1235U) demonstrate 3–4 times greater performance at a similar TDP.

Performance in 2025: What Can the i5-3337U Actually Handle?

Geekbench 6 results (432 / 865) show that the processor lags behind even budget smartphones in 2025 (e.g., Snapdragon 8 Gen 3). However, it is still adequate for basic tasks:

- Office Work: Word, Excel, and a browser with 5–7 tabs work fine. However, heavy PDFs or online presentations with animations may lag.

- Multimedia: Watching Full HD video (YouTube, Netflix) is possible, but 4K or HDR are not supported hardware-wise.

- Gaming: Only older games (Skyrim, GTA IV) at low settings and 720p resolution. Even Minecraft without optimization mods will run with stutters.

- Turbo Mode: The brief "boost" to 2.7 GHz helps in short tasks (like launching applications), but under sustained load (e.g., video conversion), the frequency drops to 1.8–2.0 GHz.

Use Cases: Who is it Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is relevant only in two scenarios:

1. Budget Devices for Basic Tasks: Laptops costing up to $200 (new models with minimum Windows 11 specs).

2. Secondary Device: For instance, for travel where losing or damaging the device isn’t a concern.

For graphics work, programming, or modern operating systems (including security updates), the i5-3337U is not recommended.

Battery Life: Myths and Reality

In 2013, laptops with this chip promised 5–7 hours of operation. In 2025, the situation is different:

- Old batteries (if not replaced) have degraded, reducing usage time to 2–3 hours.

- Energy-saving technologies (Intel SpeedStep, C-States) are outdated—modern processors (like AMD Ryzen 5 7530U) are 2–3 times more efficient for similar tasks.

Comparison with Competitors: What to Look for Instead of i5-3337U?

- Intel Pentium Gold 7505 (2023): 2 cores / 4 threads, 10nm process, 15W TDP. Geekbench 6: ~1500/2800. Laptop prices: starting at $350.

- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (2024): 4 cores / 8 threads, 6nm, 15W TDP. Geekbench 6: ~1800/4000. Laptops from $400.

- Apple M1 (2020): Single-threaded performance ~2300, multi-threaded ~8000. Devices starting at $799 (new).

Conclusion: Even modern budget CPUs outperform the i5-3337U by 3–5 times.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Low device prices (new models starting at $150).

- Sufficient for basic web browsing and text work.

- Compact and lightweight laptop designs.

Cons:

- No support for modern instructions (AVX2, AI acceleration).

- Maximum of 16GB DDR3-1600 MHz (relatively slow memory by modern standards).

- Lack of hardware decoding for AV1, VP9.

Notebook Selection Tips for 2025

1. Budget under $300: Look for models with Intel N100 (4 cores / 4 threads, 6W TDP) or AMD Athlon Silver 7120U. Example: Acer Aspire 1 ($279).

2. Ultrabooks: HP Pavilion Aero 13 (Ryzen 5 7530U, $599) or Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i (Core i3-1215U, $549).

3. Important Checks:

- Support for Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C.

- Presence of SSD (not HDD!).

- Screen with at least Full HD resolution.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-3337U in 2025 is a choice for those in need of an extremely cheap laptop for basic tasks like email checking, text typing, or video watching. However, even a modest budget ($300–400) opens access to devices with modern processors that ensure smooth OS operation, support for new standards, and performance headroom for the next 3–4 years.

Who it suits:

- Students for note-taking.

- Users needing a "backup" device.

- Those unwilling to spend more than $200.

Who it does not suit:

- Gamers, designers, programmers.

- Anyone working with modern applications.

If your budget allows—opt for modern processors. The technologies of 2025 make the i5-3337U a relic of the past.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

January 2013

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-3337U

Code Name

Ivi Bridge

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

1.80 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

2.70 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

2.70 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1023

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

22 nm

TDP

17 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

105 C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

2.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8 2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

25.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/SDVO/CRT

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Instruction Set Extensions

Intel® AVX

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

3 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

432

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

865

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

493

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

969

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1288

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

2096

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Celeron 7305

502 +16.2%

FX-8300

472 +9.3%

Core i5-3337U

432

Pentium G630

403 -6.7%

Core i5-480M

368 -14.8%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

A8-7650K

1075 +24.3%

A10-6790K

958 +10.8%

Core i5-3337U

865

Celeron G540

717 -17.1%

Celeron G1820TE

629 -27.3%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Athlon X4 860K

524 +6.3%

FX-8120

508 +3%

Core i5-3337U

493

Xeon E5-2650 v2

477 -3.2%

A6-6400K

459 -6.9%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Pentium G3250T

1126 +16.2%

A6-3600

1062 +9.6%

Core i5-3337U

969

Core i3-3130M

876 -9.6%

A4 PRO-7350B

812 -16.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon E5-2420

1382 +7.3%

Opteron 6348

1333 +3.5%

Core i5-3337U

1288

Core i5-2415M

1235 -4.1%

Xeon E5630

1180 -8.4%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Pentium G4500T

2391 +14.1%

Core i3-3220

2263 +8%

Core i5-3337U

2096

Atom x7213RE

1957 -6.6%

Core i3-2310E

1845 -12%