Intel Core i5-3350P socket: LGA 1155

What the Core i5-3350P is

Intel Core i5-3350P is a quad core Ivy Bridge desktop processor that Intel released in September 2012 for towers that already carry a discrete graphics card. It runs at 3.1 GHz base with Turbo Boost 2.0 to 3.3 GHz, with 6 MB Intel Smart Cache and 4 threads from four cores. The P suffix marks the missing graphics block, and power is rated at 69 W on a 22 nm process.

The lack of an iGPU changes board choice. Every build needs a PCIe graphics card, even for a single office monitor. In return the chip avoids paying power and die area for graphics that would sit idle. The cores, cache, memory controller and PCIe root are the same Ivy Bridge design as the graphics models.

Clock position sits just above the Core i5-3330 and just below the 3.2 GHz quads that followed. Systems pair it with H77, Z77 or B75 boards, 8 GB to 16 GB of DDR3 and a mainstream card of the period. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the socket before a used purchase.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i5-3350P fits LGA 1155 in FCLGA1155 form. 7 series boards boot it with a shipping BIOS, and most 6 series H61, H67, P67 and Z68 boards accept it after a BIOS update with Ivy Bridge microcode. B65, Q65 and Q67 boards stay with Sandy Bridge. P67 boards suit it well, since that chipset cannot use integrated graphics in any case.

A discrete card is mandatory, so the board must provide a 16 lane PCIe slot with clearance and power. At 69 W the CPU itself suits every LGA 1155 power design, while the total system power depends on the chosen card. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the BIOS step for 6 series boards, and Intel Core i5-3330 shows a graphics equipped twin on the same socket.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 GB for 25.6 GB/s. Two matched DIMMs give the rated figure, and the absence of shared graphics means the full bandwidth serves the cores. ECC is not supported, and DDR4 is not an option on LGA 1155.

PCI Express is 16 lanes from the CPU at PCIe 3.0, split as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4. The first slot almost always holds the required graphics card, so lane sharing with a second card or a fast SSD needs a look at the manual. A mid range 2012 card matches the quad cores without either side sitting idle for long.

Cooling follows the 69 W rating, between the 65 W S parts and the 77 W standard parts. The stock cooler covers office loads, while a tower cooler helps long all core runs. Mounting is 75 × 75 mm push pin, common across LGA 1155 through LGA 1200.

Upgrade paths

Within LGA 1155 the Core i5-3350P can move to graphics equipped Ivy quads without changing boards, which removes the discrete card requirement for office use. A move to a higher clock i5 keeps the same memory and storage, while the cooler carries over. The discrete card can stay for multi monitor work or move to another system.

A platform change to DDR4 boards such as LGA 1200 needs a new board, new RAM and often a new cooler bracket. Keep the 3350P system as a test or lab box where its four cores and discrete slot still cover the task.