Intel Core i5-3337U vs Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600

Intel Core i5-3337U

The Intel Core i5-3337U is an ULV-processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture released in Q1 2013. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 1.8 GHz but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 2.5 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 2.7 GHz (for 1 active core). As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i5-3337U is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to some architectural improvements. Therefore, overall performance is similar to the former Core i7-2677M or a Core i3-2330M.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 offers 16 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 350 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost, delivering a performance comparable with an AMD Radeon HD 6620G.

The ULV-CPUs are rated at a TDP of 17 W including graphics card and memory controller.  Therefore, the CPU is suited for small laptops and ultrabooks.

Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600

The Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600 is a low power laptop processor for small and slim laptops. It features the full 6 MB level 2 cache and all features of the Penryn core (e.g. VT-x and Trusted Execution). Due to the large cache, the CPU shows a good performance for the small clock rate. However, in the MacBook Air, the CPU throttled very often, leading to the slower benchmarks in our database.

Compared to other Core 2 Duo models, the C2D SL9600 only supports the socket BGA956 and is soldered in the MacBook Air models.