Intel Core i7-3770 vs Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i7-3770 and the Intel Core i5-3470 are both Ivy Bridge-generation desktop processors primarily designed for mainstream and somewhat more demanding users.

Both CPUs were manufactured using the 22 nm fabrication process and utilize the Ivy Bridge S architecture. They support PCIe 3.0 and offer a maximum memory bandwidth of 26 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-3770 features 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, supplemented by 8 MB of Level 3 cache.

In comparison, the Intel Core i5-3470 also has 4 cores, but only 4 threads and 6 MB of Level 3 cache. In single-core performance, the Intel Core i7-3770 shows noticeably better performance, especially in applications that benefit from higher clock speeds. In multi-core applications, the performance advantage of the Intel Core i7-3770 is even more pronounced due to its double thread count and larger cache.

In gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i7-3770 offers a higher frame rate, as games often benefit from stronger single-core performance and the larger cache. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 of the Intel Core i7-3770 is also more powerful than the Intel HD Graphics 2500 of the Intel Core i5-3470, although a dedicated graphics card is recommended for serious gaming.

Both processors have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 77 Watts, which is typical for their performance class and generation. Their price-performance ratio was good at the time of their introduction, but nowadays they are only relevant in the used market.