Intel Core i3-4160T vs Intel Core i3-4340 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent and decisive advantage for the Intel Core i3-4340 across every recorded test. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i3-4340 scores 300 against the i3-4160T’s 265, a lead of 11.7%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-4340 posts 1252 versus 1106, again an 11.7% advantage. The single-core results tell the same story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-4340 achieves 176 while the i3-4160T manages 156, a delta of 11.4%. The most recent Cinebench R23 suite confirms the trend, with the i3-4340 scoring 2983 in multi-core against 2635 for the i3-4160T, and 421 in single-core versus 372, representing 11.7% and 11.6% gaps respectively.

The head-to-head table records zero wins for the i3-4160T and five wins for the i3-4340. The margin is remarkably consistent, hovering between 11.4% and 11.7% across all workloads. This uniformity suggests a fundamental clock-speed and cache advantage rather than workload-specific scaling. The i3-4340’s 3.60 GHz base clock versus the i3-4160T’s 3.10 GHz explains a substantial portion of the gap, as both processors share the same Haswell architecture, 2 cores, 4 threads, and 22 nm process node. The i3-4340 also carries a larger 4 MB shared L3 cache compared to the i3-4160T’s 3 MB, which likely contributes to the consistent edge in memory-sensitive workloads.

The average benchmark scores show a narrower overall difference: the i3-4160T averages 1043 across its recorded benchmarks, while the i3-4340 averages 1026. This apparent contradiction with the head-to-head results is explained by the different benchmark sets: the i3-4160T includes Geekbench multi-core (1840) and single-core (926) scores, which are not recorded for the i3-4340. When restricting the comparison to the five shared Cinebench tests, the i3-4340’s superiority is unambiguous and consistent.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-4340 wins outright in every measured category. In multi-threaded rendering tasks, represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the i3-4340 leads by approximately 11.7% each time. This makes it the stronger choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and any workload that can utilize its 4 threads. The single-core tests, Cinebench R20 and R23, show a 11.4% to 11.6% advantage for the i3-4340, indicating better performance in lightly-threaded applications such as older games, office productivity, and web browsing.

The i3-4160T does have a notable advantage in one area: power consumption. Its 35 W TDP is substantially lower than the i3-4340’s 54 W TDP. This makes the i3-4160T the better fit for compact, low-power builds, small form factor systems, or any scenario where thermal output and energy efficiency are priorities. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-4160T featuring Intel HD 4400 and the i3-4340 featuring the higher-tier Intel HD 4600. For users relying on integrated graphics without a discrete GPU, the i3-4340 likely provides better visual performance, though the database does not include direct graphics benchmarks.

The i3-4160T’s release date of 2014-07-20 places it slightly later than the i3-4340’s 2013-08-31, but both belong to the same Haswell generation and use the identical 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, and 177 mm² die size. The i3-4160T remains in active production status, while the i3-4340’s production status is not specified in the database.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core i3-4340 is the faster processor in every benchmark the database contains. Its 11.7% multi-core lead and 11.6% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 make it the clear choice for users prioritizing raw performance in CPU-bound tasks. The larger 4 MB L3 cache and higher 3.60 GHz clock rate provide a structural advantage that the i3-4160T cannot overcome despite its newer release date.

However, the i3-4160T’s 35 W TDP represents a 35.2% reduction in thermal design power compared to the i3-4340’s 54 W. For builders constructing ultra-compact systems, fanless designs, or energy-conscious home servers, this efficiency advantage may outweigh the performance deficit. The i3-4160T also has a recorded Geekbench multi-core score of 1840 and single-core score of 926, providing data points that suggest decent everyday responsiveness, though no direct comparison is possible without equivalent i3-4340 Geekbench results.

The percentile rankings place both processors near the bottom of the database: the i3-4160T sits at the 29th percentile, and the i3-4340 at the 28th percentile. Neither processor is competitive with modern mid-range or high-end CPUs, but within this Haswell dual-core class, the i3-4340 is the performance leader. Users who need maximum throughput from a Socket 1150 system with DDR3 memory should select the i3-4340. Users who prioritize low power draw and have modest performance requirements will find the i3-4160T adequate, especially given its active production status and continued availability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 is faster in every recorded multi-core test. It scores 300 versus 265 in Cinebench R15, 1252 versus 1106 in Cinebench R20, and 2983 versus 2635 in Cinebench R23, each representing an 11.7% advantage.

Q: How do the single-core performances compare?

A: The i3-4340 leads in single-core as well. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 176 against 156 for the i3-4160T, an 11.4% gap. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-4340 posts 421 versus 372, an 11.6% difference.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two CPUs?

A: The i3-4160T has a TDP of 35 W, while the i3-4340 has a TDP of 54 W. This makes the i3-4160T significantly more power-efficient, requiring less cooling and consuming less electricity under load.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and socket?

A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1150, support DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration, and feature PCIe Gen 3. They also share the same Haswell architecture, 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, and 177 mm² die size.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i3-4340 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4160T has 3 MB. This 1 MB difference likely contributes to the i3-4340’s consistent performance advantage across all benchmarks.

Q: Are there any differences in integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i3-4160T features Intel HD 4400, while the i3-4340 features Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 is a higher-tier integrated graphics solution, though the database does not include specific graphics performance measurements for either processor.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s Haswell architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process by Intel, and share the same fundamental design: 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading providing 4 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The transistor count is identical at 1,400 million, and the die size matches at 177 mm². The socket is the same Intel Socket 1150, and both support DDR3 memory through a dual-channel memory bus with PCIe Gen 3 connectivity.

The primary architectural differences lie in three areas. First, the base clock speed: the i3-4340 runs at 3.60 GHz, while the i3-4160T runs at 3.10 GHz. This 0.50 GHz difference directly translates to the observed 11.4% to 11.7% performance deltas. Neither processor has a boost clock, so these base frequencies represent the maximum sustained speeds.

Second, the L3 cache size differs. The i3-4340 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4160T has 3 MB. This additional 1 MB of cache allows the i3-4340 to hold more working data closer to the cores, reducing memory latency and improving performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Third, the TDP and integrated graphics differ. The i3-4160T is rated at 35 W versus the i3-4340’s 54 W, a substantial difference that reflects the lower clock speed and likely more aggressive power management. The i3-4160T pairs with Intel HD 4400 graphics, while the i3-4340 includes Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 is generally considered a more capable iGPU, though specific performance data is not available in the database.

The release dates place the i3-4340 earlier (2013-08-31) and the i3-4160T later (2014-07-20), both within the same generation. The i3-4160T is listed as active in production, while the i3-4340’s status is unspecified. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The part number SR1NL is recorded for the i3-4340, while no part number is listed for the i3-4160T.

The nearest rivals for the i3-4160T include the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 and AMD PRO A10-9700, both with an average score of 1045, representing a negligible 0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U scores 1041, also within 0.2%. For the i3-4340, the nearest rival is the Intel Processor N150 with a 1025 average score, a 0.1% difference, followed closely by the Intel Core i7-5650U and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B at 1027. These close margins highlight that both Haswell dual-core processors perform similarly to a range of low-power and embedded CPUs in the database, though the i3-4340’s head-to-head record shows it is the stronger of the two in direct comparison.