Processor Core i5-3330 OEM: features and reviews

It's not so easy for an average user to orient in the central processor market, choosing a worthy product for the Intel platform. The American manufacturer insists that every crystal from the store presented in the shop window is a masterpiece and will cope with any given task.

In the focus of this article - one of the cheapest processors of the line, a representative of the third generation - Core i5-3330. Overview, specifications and reviews of owners will provide an opportunity for potential buyers to learn about this crystal a lot of interesting and useful information.

The lineup

If the reader believes that Intel processors with the same marking can differ only in packaging, then he is seriously mistaken. Yes, in the shop windows you can see Intel ^R Core ^tm i5-3330 CPU version BOX (with cooling system) and OEM modifications (only the crystal), but there is an additional gradation:

• With built-in graphics core and blocked multiplier (3330S);
• With integrated graphics core and unlocked multiplier (3330);
• Without a graphics core with an unlocked multiplier (3330P).

What is most interesting is that not all countries have a full range of modifications of this product. For example, to buy a crystal without an integrated graphics accelerator is problematic.

First acquaintance with the processor

It is not necessary to think that the OEM version of the product implies the sale of processors "by weight". In fact, they also have a beautiful branded package of reduced sizes. Like the BOX modification, the crystal is presented on the storefront in a blue box of cardboard containing a plastic container with a processor.

Intel does not change its traditions, so in the package to the crystal, the user will find a lot of unnecessary documentation, which takes up almost all the free space in the box. In the version of Core i5-3330 CPU BOX, the future owner will find a branded cooler from the manufacturer. As for thermal paste, it can not be detected. Intel, unlike the AMD manufacturer, does not spoil its customers.

Declared technical characteristics of the crystal

The processor with the name Ivy Bridge QC is made using 22 nanometer technology. On one platform there are 4 separate cores, which have a base frequency of 3 GHz. However, at the hardware level, there is the possibility of increasing the performance by automatically accelerating to 3.2 GHz (this is realized thanks to Turbo Boost technology). Each core of the Intel Core i5-3330 processor has only one calculation stream. As for the cache, it is distributed as follows:

• 1st level - 128 kilobytes in total for the crystal;
• 2nd level - 256 KB for each core;
• Level 3 - 6 MB are common to the processor.

The integrated graphics accelerator is implemented on the HD 2500 core. Yes, the built-in video adapter is obsolete and is not in demand among the majority of buyers, but it, unlike the advanced HD 4000 core, has low power consumption and low heat dissipation.

Additional characteristics of the platform

Touching the topic of power dissipation, I would like to draw the attention of potential buyers to the fact that the Intel Core i5-3330 processor features power consumption characteristics are very attractive. The crystal requires only 1.38 volts for full operation, and the consumption is only 77 watts. Naturally, we are talking about working without manual overclocking. True, in their reviews, many enthusiasts say that raising the performance is not terrible for the processor: a 95-watt package for it is the maximum limit.

As for working with RAM, then the product shows itself not from the best side. Standard support for dual-channel DDR3 memory is limited to a frequency of 1600 MHz and a maximum capacity of 32 GB. Compared to similar AMD processors, which are in the same price category (up to 10,000 rubles), this is the lowest figure.

Instructions and technologies

I am glad that once again the company does not change its rules, and even an ordinary third-generation crystal, Intel Core i5-3330 CPU 3.00 GHz, is endowed with many technologies in demand. First of all, we are talking about support for virtualization. At the hardware level, support for variable environments and server technologies is implemented. The second pleasant thing is the work with data encryption and hardware interception of malicious code at a low level.

Also, many users working with databases and large arrays will benefit from Fast Memory Access, SMEP, PAIR and many others, which are aimed at creating a secure server. In addition to the function for automatic overclocking of the CPU (Turbo Boost), the Intel platform also provides power saving mode, which is controlled only programmatically, through the BIOS of the motherboard.

Features of the built-in graphics accelerator

In their responses, many users claim that the Intel Core i5-3330 has the characteristics of an integrated video adapter at a very low level and there is no sense in implementing them. Such a statement can only be made by fans of resource-intensive dynamic toys that did not manage to have a good time before the computer screen.

Yes, in comparison with a discrete graphics card, the integrated graphics accelerator leaves much to be desired (similar to the GT 6600 from Nvidia or X700 from Radeon). However, for professional use this video adapter will be the best offer, because it supports a lot of interesting technologies on the hardware level:

• DirectX version 11 (including Open GL 3.1 and Shader Model 4.1);
• Support for HDCP and the ability to encode in H.264 and MPEG2 format;
• Hardware decoding of AVC, MPEG2, Dual Video Decode and WMV9.

As for the use of hardware resources, the manufacturer was able to surprise the buyers here as well. The integrated accelerator is able to use for its work 1,7 GB, which it takes from the RAM. The graphics core operates at 650 MHz (1050 MHz in Boost mode) and uses 6 computational pipelines.

The closest competitor in the Intel family

Any competition in the computer market boils down not to the similarity of the technical characteristics of the devices, but to the minimum price that the manufacturer requires for the maximum efficiency demonstrated by the product in the process of work. Therefore, the user is offered a rational option, where the Intel Core i5-3330 processor will be compared with an inexpensive analog, capable of demonstrating almost identical indicators.

And we are talking about the top representative of dual-core chips - the Pentium G2120. In their responses, many buyers claim that they did not consider this product at all when building a platform for professional use. And this is quite understandable, because 2 cores do not compare with the performance of a 4-nuclear platform. However, real tests can quickly put everything in its place.

Intel Platform Potential

To see the real superiority of the processor Intel Core i5-3330 3.00 GHz over a 2-nuclear competitor is possible only in several tests, where more mathematical cores are required for mathematical calculations. For example, when encoding or decoding video or while working with 3D-modeling. Also, a lot of resources for themselves require compilation of program code.

But to work with office and graphics software only modern technologies are required. Therefore, it is better for the future owner to focus on the lower price threshold, rather than on the number of cores and the results of synthetic tests.

As for toy lovers, the situation here is somewhat different. The majority of the software is oriented to dual-core chips, so expecting a notable superiority from the Core i5-3330 processor is not worth it. However, many new items on the market are already created for multi-core platforms, where 4, 6 or 8 streams are required for full-fledged information processing. Therefore, the buyer is better to focus on the system requirements of the game, and not on the capabilities of the processor.

Comparison with a competitor

If we consider the products of the competitor, then the potential buyer will find that the Intel Core i5-3330 3.0 processor has too many opponents in the price category up to 10 000 rubles from the company AMD. In this there is nothing strange, because the products of the competitor have always been much cheaper than Intel chips.

In their reviews enthusiasts recommend comparing the Core i5 with the average segment of the competitor, focusing on the crystals of the Phenom II line. It is quite permissible to participate not only 4-nuclear representatives of X4, but also 6-core X6 processors. Experts say that the representative of Intel has more potential, and any buyer can make sure of this.

The battle for superiority in the budget class

The Intel Core i5-3330 processor is compared to Phenom II 955, 960 and 1075T. These products have almost identical technical characteristics and not much distinguishable value in the world market. A significant difference is only power consumption - AMD's products are overestimated by a factor of 1.5, but few people pay attention to this factor at all.

In gaming applications, it is meaningless to compare these powerful processors, because they all have identical clock rates and have the same number of cores (except X6) and cache parameters. Yes, the AMD 1075T processor is able to show the best result, but only in games where the program code is highly dependent on multiprocessing.

But in professional applications related to video encoding, modeling or graphics, the Core i5-3330 product demonstrates the best performance. It looks rather strange, considering that in the synthetic tests, AMD products held leadership positions.

Punch the dragon's tail

And why not compare the processor CPU Intel Core i5-3330 with the flagship of the AMD line, the crystal FX-8150? The feedback from the media is full of the determination that an 8-core representative with increased frequencies and improved technical characteristics will not leave a single crystal for Intel's crystal. Yes, this is quite realistic, because the new AMD Zambezi core has a large cache, has twice as many physical cores and supports work with faster DDR3 memory of 1866 MHz.

To the results of synthetic tests, fans of Intel products are better not to get acquainted at all. The Intel Core i5-3330 is inferior to the 8-core processor in all positions. And the difference in performance is substantial and amounts to almost 30-40%. As for cryptography and video coding, here again the Intel product will not be able to bypass the competitor, because these applications are dependent on the number of threads.

But in gaming applications, the situation is drastically changing. At high resolutions in resource-intensive dynamic games with fast-changing terrain, AMD product quickly gives up positions, and the run-up is of the order of 10-15%. It looks very strange.

Overclocking potential

Many users in their reviews write that Intel products are almost not subject to overclocking. In fact, this is real stupidity. The fact is that most of the crystals, including the Core i5-3330 processor, are present on the market with a blocked multiplier, whereas all AMD representatives are sold with the unlocked module.

Almost all of Intel's crystals running at 3 GHz or higher are easily overclocked to a psychological mark of 3.5 GHz. Moreover, any user can perform the performance increase even with the use of a regular cooling system designed for a thermal package of up to 95 watts.

However, most enthusiasts do not stop there and are trying to take another barrier - to reach the cherished frequency of 4 GHz. This is quite real, the main thing is to have a game motherboard at hand, capable of controlling overclocking, and a powerful cooler that can cope with the heat removal.

Have something to brag about

Many fans of games that have overclocked the AMD budget processor with 4 cores like to make comparisons concerning financial expenses. Yes, the Intel Core i5-3330 CPU is almost 5-10% more expensive than the competitor, but this does not give everyone the right to assume that from the economic point of view, AMD is better.

A potential buyer should get acquainted with the energy consumption of crystals in the normal mode and in the process of overclocking. The thermal package of any third-generation Intel processor does not exceed 75 watts, while the competitor has this parameter ranging from 110-125 watts.

And only overclocking can convince a potential buyer to make the right choice in the market of computer components. After all, a Core i5 crystal at an increased frequency (4000 MHz) will still not reach 100 watts. But the representative of AMD will need a powerful power supply and a decent cooling system, because you need to somehow cope with the dissipated power of about 160-180 watts.

The claimed product

Potential buyers have already noticed that the market for mobile devices Core i5-3330 is completely absent. Naturally, this raises doubts among many users who have looked to themselves this product for building a powerful gaming or professional platform. However, you should not get upset. The fact is that in laptops it is irrational to use such a crystal: it has too high frequency and excessive power consumption.

But in the monoblock market this processor is very popular. So, Apple has looked after this crystal for its brainchild - iMac. Modification without graphics accelerator is perfectly combined with 8-12 gigabytes of RAM and with a discrete video card Nvidia GT860M. In fact, this is more a game solution than a product for creativity.

Reviews

It's better to start with a negative. Many owners faced the problem of overclocking the Core i5-3330 processor. The fact is that not every motherboard supports a set of instructions for controlling the multiplier of third generation crystals. As practice shows, the motherboard should be based on the chip Z77. And this is a gaming segment with an appropriate price. Naturally, not every user can afford to buy such a board.

Also, many game lovers are not satisfied with the fact that the processor does not support superfast DDR3 memory modules of 2133 MHz (OS). Rather, he sees them, but now they refuse to work with them synchronously. And this is already a serious drop in performance in games that require fast operation of large amounts of memory (FIFA16, GTA 5 and their counterparts).

But people liked this processor. First, it is undemanding to energy resources, accordingly, it will work with the old low-power power unit. Do not forget about the cooling system, which will work almost silently. As for performance in resource-intensive applications related to processing video, sound, graphics and 3D-modeling, then there are no complaints.

Finally

As practice shows, the Core i5-3330 processor is quite interesting for many users. In addition to the attractive price, it has a lot of other useful properties. First, we are talking about performance - the crystal perfectly competes with AMD products even from the more expensive price segment. Do not forget about the cost of electricity, which for some reason many buyers do not take into account.