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Intel Core i5-3475S

Intel Core i5-3475S: Review of an Obsolete, Yet Still Relevant Processor

April 2025

1. Key Specifications: Ivy Bridge Architecture and Performance Balance

Architecture and Technology Process

The Intel Core i5-3475S processor, released in 2012, is based on the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture (3rd generation Core). It is an evolution of Sandy Bridge, featuring an improved 22nm technology process that allows for reduced power consumption and increased clock speeds. Key features include:

- 4 cores/4 threads: No Hyper-Threading support, which limits multitasking.

- Base clock of 2.9 GHz, Turbo mode up to 3.6 GHz: Sufficient for basic tasks.

- Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2500: Supports DirectX 11, but is weak for modern gaming.

Performance

According to Geekbench 6 (2025):

- Single-Core: 624 points – comparable to budget modern CPUs, such as the Intel Celeron G6900 (~600 points).

- Multi-Core: 1544 points – lower than the Ryzen 3 4100 (4 cores/8 threads, ~2200 points).

Key Features for 2025:

- Low TDP (65W) – suitable for compact PCs.

- Support for Intel Quick Sync (video encoding) and AES-NI (encryption).

2. Compatible Motherboards: LGA1155 Socket and Chipsets

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the LGA1155 socket. Suitable chipsets include:

- H61, B75, H77, Z75, Z77 – the last two support overclocking (though the i5-3475S has a locked multiplier).

Choosing in 2025

- No new boards available: Look for used options on eBay or local marketplaces (prices $20–40).

- Recommended models: ASUS P8Z77-V, Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H.

- Check the BIOS: Some boards may require updates to work with Ivy Bridge.

Practical Example: A user from Germany built a PC using the i5-3475S and an ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP motherboard for $25, adding an SSD for improved system speed.

3. Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The processor works with DDR3-1333/1600 MHz in dual-channel mode.

- Maximum Capacity: 32 GB (depends on the motherboard).

- Tips for 2025:

- Use 2 modules of 8 GB DDR3-1600 (~$15–20 each used).

- Avoid cheap no-name modules – high risk of errors.

Important: DDR4 and DDR5 are not supported – this is the main limitation for upgrades.

4. Power Supply: Calculations for Systems with i5-3475S

The processor itself consumes up to 65W, but it's important to consider other components:

- Minimum Recommendation: 400W power supply (e.g., EVGA 400 N1, $35).

- Optimal: 450–500W with 80+ Bronze certification (Corsair CX450, $55).

- For discrete graphics: If adding a GTX 1650 (75W), 500W will suffice.

Real Case: A PC with an i5-3475S, 16 GB DDR3, SSD, and GTX 1050 Ti consumes ~180W under load.

5. Pros and Cons of the Processor

Pros

- Energy Efficiency: Ideal for low-power builds.

- Reliability: Many units last over 10 years.

- Price: Can be purchased used for $15–25.

Cons

- Outdated Architecture: Lags behind even budget CPUs of 2025 in multi-threaded tasks.

- No support for PCIe 3.0/4.0: Only PCIe 2.0 (max 16 Gbps).

- Limited Upgrade Potential: Inability to install DDR4 or new GPUs without bottlenecking.

6. Use Cases: What is it Suitable for in 2025?

- Office Tasks: Document work, browsing, Zoom – the processor handles these tasks well.

- Multimedia: 4K playback via integrated graphics (supports H.264 decoding).

- Casual Gaming: CS:GO, Dota 2 on low settings (30–50 FPS) paired with a GTX 1050-level graphics card.

- Home Server: Low power consumption is beneficial for NAS or media centers.

Example: In Brazil, i5-3475S is used in schools for PCs running Linux (Ubuntu) – the system works quickly and stably.

7. Comparison with Competitors

AMD FX-6300 (2012):

- 6 cores, but weak IPC. Lags the i5-3475S in games, though performs better in multi-threaded tasks.

- Used price: $10–15.

Intel Core i3-10100 (2020):

- 4 cores/8 threads, DDR4, Geekbench 6 Multi-Core ~3000. New costs $80–100.

- Conclusion: i3-10100 is twice as fast but more expensive.

8. Tips for Building a PC with i5-3475S

1. Motherboard: Check capacitor condition (bulging is a red flag).

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but replace the thermal paste (Arctic MX-4, $5).

3. Storage: An SSD is a must (Kingston A400 240 GB, $25) – HDD will bottleneck the system.

4. Graphics Card: Do not install a GPU more powerful than GTX 1660 – the processor will become a bottleneck.

Budget Build (2025):

- CPU + motherboard: $40.

- 16 GB DDR3: $30.

- Used GTX 1050 Ti: $50.

- Total: ~$150–200.

9. Final Conclusion: Who is the i5-3475S Suitable For?

This processor is a choice for:

- Budget Enthusiasts: Building a PC for $150–200 for basic tasks.

- Owners of Old Systems: Upgrading a 2010s PC without replacing the motherboard.

- Retro Gaming Fans: Running older titles without investing in modern hardware.

Why Not to Buy: If you need to work with 4K video, modern gaming, or heavy software – it's better to add $100–150 and purchase a Ryzen 5 5500 or Intel i3-12100.

Conclusion: The Intel Core i5-3475S in 2025 is an example of a "workhorse" that continues to serve despite its age. It may not impress with performance, but it offers an excellent price-to-reliability ratio for casual users.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

April 2012

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.

i5-3475S

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

2.90 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.

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.60 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.

CPU Socket

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

FCLGA1155

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

65 W

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.

3.0

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.

up to 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 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.

650 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

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® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | 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.

6 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 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

624

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1544

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

743

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

2414

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1836

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

4250

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Xeon E5-1650 v2

708 +13.5%

Core i7-3960X

658 +5.4%

Core i5-3475S

624

Core i5-3340S

583 -6.6%

Pentium G2130

548 -12.2%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i3-1000NG4

1861 +20.5%

Xeon W3530

1722 +11.5%

Core i5-3475S

1544

Core i5-2320

1414 -8.4%

Celeron 6305

1236 -19.9%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Xeon Gold 5215

783 +5.4%

Core i7-4578U

766 +3.1%

Core i5-3475S

743

Xeon Silver 4116

730 -1.7%

Core i5-6300U

709 -4.6%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Pentium Gold G7400T

2685 +11.2%

Xeon E3-1220 v2

2557 +5.9%

Core i5-3475S

2414

Ryzen 3 PRO 3300U

2252 -6.7%

Core i3-1000NG4

2093 -13.3%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Xeon E5-2699 v3

1910 +4%

Ryzen 3 3300U

1881 +2.5%

Core i5-3475S

1836

Xeon Silver 4210

1803 -1.8%

Core i3-3245

1781 -3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i5-3470

4674 +10%

Xeon X5647

4441 +4.5%

Core i5-3475S

4250

Core i7-2720QM

4028 -5.2%

Core i5-2380P

3797 -10.7%