Intel Core i5-4590 vs Intel Core i3-3220

The Intel Core i5-4590, based on the Haswell S architecture, was introduced in the second quarter of 2014 and targeted the mainstream segment.

It is suitable for everyday tasks, light workloads, and casual gaming. Manufactured using a 22 nm process, it features 4 cores and 4 threads, as well as 6 MB of Level 3 cache. Its single-core performance in benchmarks is over 100 percent higher than that of the Intel Core i3-3220, and its multi-core performance surpasses it by over 170 percent.

It is better suited for multitasking and gaming. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 and PCIe 3.0 also support better graphics and expansion card connectivity. The TDP is 84W. The Intel Core i3-3220, part of the Ivy Bridge S generation, appeared in the third quarter of 2012 and was aimed at the entry-level and budget segment for basic office and internet applications.

It is also manufactured using a 22 nm process and has 2 cores and 4 threads (thanks to Hyper-Threading) as well as 3 MB of Level 3 cache. Its performance is significantly lower than that of the i5-4590, for both single-core and multi-core tasks. It is only very limitedly suitable for gaming, as the Intel HD Graphics 2500 is very limited and PCIe 2.0 slows down the connection of dedicated graphics cards.

With a TDP of 55W, it is energy-efficient. On the used market, the Intel Core i5-4590 offers a superior price-performance ratio for more demanding use and casual gaming, making it the clear recommendation. The cheaper Intel Core i3-3220 is only sufficient for very basic tasks and is therefore only suitable for extremely budget-conscious systems with minimal requirements.