⚡ Core Specifications
Both processors belong to Intel's Ivy Bridge generation, but offer different performance levels for various computing tasks.
i7-3770 Specifications
- Cores/Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads (Hyper-Threading)
- Base Clock: 3.4 GHz (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz)
- Cache: 8MB Smart Cache
- TDP: 77W
i5-3470 Specifications
- Cores/Threads: 4 cores, 4 threads (No Hyper-Threading)
- Base Clock: 3.2 GHz (Turbo up to 3.6 GHz)
- Cache: 6MB Smart Cache
- TDP: 77W
🎮 Gaming Performance
The i7-3770 outperforms the i5-3470 in modern gaming scenarios, especially in CPU-intensive titles.
Key Gaming Advantages of i7-3770
- Better 1% Low FPS: More consistent gaming experience due to Hyper-Threading
- Superior Multitasking: Better performance while streaming or running background apps
- Future-Proofing: Better suited for newer games requiring more threads
💻 Productivity Performance
The i7-3770 shows significant advantages in productivity tasks:
- Video Editing: Up to 40% faster rendering times
- 3D Rendering: 35% better performance in applications like Blender
- Virtual Machines: Superior performance for running multiple VMs
- Multitasking: Smoother operation with multiple applications
🌡️ Temperature and Power Efficiency
- Both CPUs: 77W TDP rating
- Thermal Performance: Similar cooling requirements
- Power Consumption: Nearly identical under full load
💰 Value Proposition
Choose i7-3770 if you:
- Need superior multitasking capabilities
- Work with content creation software
- Run virtual machines regularly
- Want better future-proofing for games
Choose i5-3470 if you:
- Primarily use your PC for basic tasks
- Have a strict budget
- Don't require heavy multitasking
- Play mostly older or less demanding games
🏆 Final Verdict
The i7-3770 is clearly superior with its Hyper-Threading capability and higher clock speeds, offering approximately 25-30% better performance in multi-threaded applications. However, the i5-3470 remains a capable processor for basic computing and gaming needs at a lower price point.