Intel Core i3-4160 vs Intel Pentium G4560 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Pentium G4560 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i3-4160. Across five Cinebench workloads, the G4560 takes all five wins, with the i3-4160 failing to claim a single test. The margins are narrow, but they are consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the G4560 scores 301 against the i3-4160's 297, a 1.3% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 1258 versus 1241, a 1.4% lead for the Pentium. The R23 multi-core result reinforces this trend, with the G4560 at 2996 and the i3-4160 at 2955, again a 1.4% gap. These multi-core numbers matter because both processors have the same core and thread configuration, so the difference comes down to architectural efficiency rather than raw resources.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the G4560 posts 177 against 175 for the i3-4160, a 1.1% edge. The R23 single-core test widens slightly to 1.4%, with scores of 423 and 417 respectively. This consistent single-core lead suggests the G4560's newer architecture extracts more instructions per clock from its lower base clock of 3.50 GHz compared to the i3-4160's 3.60 GHz.

The average benchmark scores in the database confirm the overall picture. The G4560 holds an average benchmark score of 1031, while the i3-4160 sits at 1017. That places the Pentium roughly 1.4% ahead on average, a small but real margin. Both processors land at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier relative to the broader market.

Looking at nearest rivals, both chips are clustered tightly with other budget-oriented desktop parts. The G4560's closest competitors include the AMD A12-9800E at 1033 (0.2% behind the Pentium), the Intel Xeon E5620 at 1029 (0.2% ahead of the Pentium), the AMD A10-9700 at 1034 (0.3% behind), and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B at 1027 (0.4% ahead). The i3-4160's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2300 at 1014 (0.3% behind the i3), the Intel Core i3-4330 at 1020 (0.3% ahead of the i3), the Intel Xeon W5580 at 1012 (0.5% behind), and the Intel Pentium Gold G5600 at 1022 (0.5% ahead). Neither chip separates itself dramatically from its immediate competition, but the G4560's position slightly higher in the average score ranking holds across every direct comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The G4560 wins everywhere, but the margins dictate how meaningfully each workload favors it. In single-threaded tasks, the G4560's lead of 1.1% to 1.4% in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests means applications that rely on one or two threads, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity software, will see a modest but measurable benefit. The higher single-core score of 423 in R23 versus 417 for the i3-4160 suggests the Pentium's Kaby Lake architecture handles per-core efficiency better despite the 0.10 GHz lower base clock.

Multi-threaded workloads follow the same trajectory. The G4560's multi-core leads of 1.3% to 1.4% across R15, R20, and R23 mean that even when both cores and all four threads are fully utilized, the newer Pentium maintains its edge. This is notable because both processors feature 2 cores and 4 threads, so the result reflects superior execution per thread rather than any resource advantage. Content creation tasks like video encoding or 3D rendering in Cinebench will finish slightly faster on the G4560, though the difference may be imperceptible in real-world use.

There is no workload category where the i3-4160 pulls ahead. The data shows zero wins for the i3-4160 across all five benchmark tests. Even in the tests where the i3-4160's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz might theoretically help, such as single-core workloads, the G4560's architecture compensates and then some. The i3-4160's only potential advantage lies outside raw compute, specifically in its integrated graphics solution, which uses the Intel HD 4400 compared to the G4560's Intel HD 610. However, the benchmark data provided does not include graphics tests, so any assessment of iGPU capability remains outside the recorded measurements.

For users prioritizing the latest platform features, the G4560 supports DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i3-4160 is limited to DDR3 with no recorded bandwidth figure. This memory advantage could translate to better performance in memory-sensitive applications, although the Cinebench results already capture some of that effect.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors spans several generations. The G4560 is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the i3-4160 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm is a primary driver of the G4560's efficiency gains, allowing it to match or exceed the i3-4160's performance while drawing less power: 51 W TDP versus 54 W TDP.

Both CPUs feature identical core and thread configurations: 2 cores and 4 threads each. The cache hierarchy is also the same on paper, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The G4560's base clock is 3.50 GHz, while the i3-4160 runs at 3.60 GHz, a 0.10 GHz advantage for the older chip that does not translate into a performance win.

The i3-4160 has documented transistor and die size figures: 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The G4560's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. The foundry for both is Intel. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

Platform support differs significantly. The G4560 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-4160 uses Intel Socket 1150. This means they are not interchangeable in motherboards. Memory support also diverges: the G4560 uses DDR4 with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the i3-4160 uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is not supported by either processor.

PCI Express connectivity is another point of difference. The G4560 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4160 lists Gen 3 without specifying lane count details in the database. The integrated graphics solutions differ as well: the G4560 includes Intel HD 610 graphics, and the i3-4160 includes Intel HD 4400. Both are desktop market segment parts with active production status.

Release timing shows the generation gap clearly. The G4560 was released on 2017-01-02, while the i3-4160 came out on 2014-07-20. The G4560's part number is SR32Y; the i3-4160's part number is not recorded.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Pentium G4560 is the superior processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, holds a higher average benchmark score (1031 versus 1017), and achieves these results with a lower TDP of 51 W compared to 54 W. The performance margins are small, ranging from 1.1% to 1.4%, but they are uniform across both single-core and multi-core workloads.

For users building a new system today, the G4560's Socket 1151 and DDR4 memory support make it the more future-proof choice, assuming motherboard compatibility aligns. The i3-4160's Socket 1150 and DDR3 memory limit it to older platforms, which may be relevant for those upgrading an existing system rather than starting fresh.

Users who already own a Socket 1150 motherboard with DDR3 memory might find the i3-4160 a reasonable drop-in upgrade, especially since it remains in active production. However, the benchmark data does not reveal any scenario where the i3-4160 outperforms the G4560. Every measured workload favors the Pentium.

The i3-4160's integrated graphics, Intel HD 4400, may offer better iGPU performance than the G4560's Intel HD 610, but no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database to substantiate this. Within the scope of CPU compute benchmarks, the G4560 is the definitive pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Pentium G4560 has an average benchmark score of 1031, while the Intel Core i3-4160 has an average score of 1017.

Q: How many benchmark wins does the G4560 have over the i3-4160 in head-to-head tests?

A: The G4560 wins all 5 head-to-head benchmarks against the i3-4160, with the i3-4160 recording 0 wins.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The G4560 scores 423 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the i3-4160 scores 417, giving the Pentium a 1.4% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the G4560 and the i3-4160 have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The G4560 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i3-4160 supports DDR3 memory with no recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The G4560 has a TDP of 51 W, while the i3-4160 has a TDP of 54 W, making the Pentium the lower-power part by 3 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Pentium G4560 | Intel Core i3-4160 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 54 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 177 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 610 | Intel HD 4400 |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2014-07-20 |

| Part Number | SR32Y | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |