Intel Core i3-4160T vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6350HQ and Intel Core i3-4160T occupy the same performance percentile, but they achieve it through fundamentally different designs. The i5-6350HQ is a mobile Skylake part with four physical cores, while the i3-4160T is a low-power desktop Haswell chip with two cores and Hyper-Threading. Benchmark data shows the i5-6350HQ wins every head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from 37.1% to 37.4% across Cinebench tests. However, both chips share a 29th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating that despite the i5's consistent lead, they compete in a similar performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-6350HQ is the clear winner across all shared benchmark tests, taking all five head-to-head victories. Its largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 364 against the i3-4160T's 265, a 37.4% delta. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multi-core with 1518 versus 1106 (37.3% ahead). The i5-6350HQ also dominates in single-threaded workloads, posting 214 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 156 for the i3-4160T, a 37.2% edge. This consistency suggests the i5-6350HQ is the better choice for any compute-heavy task, whether multi-threaded rendering or single-core responsiveness.

The Intel Core i3-4160T has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data. However, its strengths lie elsewhere: it is a desktop part with a 35 TDP, making it a capable low-power option for compact systems. The i3-4160T also supports DDR3 memory only, which may be preferable for users with existing DDR3 platforms. While the i5-6350HQ outperforms it in every measured test, the i3-4160T's active production status and desktop socket (Intel Socket 1150) offer a different value proposition in terms of platform compatibility.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the i5-6350HQ wins decisively. For those building a low-power desktop system where the i3-4160T's form factor and thermal envelope matter more than peak benchmark scores, the i3-4160T remains a relevant option despite its older architecture and lower scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and process nodes. The i5-6350HQ uses Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the i3-4160T relies on Haswell on a 22 nm node. This process advantage contributes to the i5-6350HQ's higher transistor count of 2,300 million versus 1,400 million for the i3-4160T, despite the i5-6350HQ having a smaller die size of 171 mm² compared to 177 mm².

Core configuration is a major differentiator. The i5-6350HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4160T has 2 cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. The i5-6350HQ also features a boost clock of 3.20 GHz on top of its 2.30 GHz base, while the i3-4160T operates at a fixed 3.10 GHz with no boost capability. Cache hierarchies differ as well: the i5-6350HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the i3-4160T's 3 MB.

Integrated graphics represent another significant split. The i5-6350HQ includes Intel Iris Pro 580, a high-end mobile GPU, whereas the i3-4160T ships with Intel HD 4400. Memory support also diverges: the i5-6350HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i3-4160T supports only DDR3 with no listed bandwidth figure. The i5-6350HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 socket and is marked for mobile, while the i3-4160T uses Intel Socket 1150 for desktop. Both lack ECC memory support and both have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-6350HQ has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4160T has 2 physical cores. The i3-4160T compensates with Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-6350HQ leads by 37.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (364 vs 265) and by 37.3% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1518 vs 1106). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-6350HQ scores 3616 versus 2635, a 37.2% advantage.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i5-6350HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i3-4160T supports only DDR3 with dual-channel memory and no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i3-4160T has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to the i5-6350HQ's 2.30 GHz. However, the i5-6350HQ can boost up to 3.20 GHz, exceeding the i3-4160T's fixed clock.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i5-6350HQ and the i3-4160T rank in the 29th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also close: 1046 for the i5-6350HQ and 1043 for the i3-4160T.

Q: What integrated graphics do these chips include?

A: The i5-6350HQ includes Intel Iris Pro 580, a premium integrated GPU. The i3-4160T includes Intel HD 4400, a more basic graphics solution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-6350HQ has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4160T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.30 GHz for the i5-6350HQ and 3.10 GHz for the i3-4160T, with only the i5-6350HQ offering a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. TDP ratings are 45 W for the i5-6350HQ and 35 W for the i3-4160T.

Socket types are incompatible: the i5-6350HQ uses Intel BGA 1440, while the i3-4160T uses Intel Socket 1150. The i5-6350HQ is built on a 14 nm process with Skylake architecture, while the i3-4160T uses 22 nm Haswell. L3 cache is 6 MB for the i5-6350HQ and 3 MB for the i3-4160T.

Memory support differs, with the i5-6350HQ accepting DDR3 and DDR4 and the i3-4160T limited to DDR3. The i5-6350HQ also lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i3-4160T has no bandwidth figure. Integrated graphics are Intel Iris Pro 580 for the i5-6350HQ and Intel HD 4400 for the i3-4160T. Market segments are mobile for the i5-6350HQ and desktop for the i3-4160T. Production status shows the i5-6350HQ as end-of-life, while the i3-4160T remains active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-6350HQ wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with every margin falling between 37.1% and 37.4%. The largest delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i5-6350HQ scores 364 against the i3-4160T's 265, a 37.4% lead. This test measures full-thread rendering performance, and the i5-6350HQ's two additional physical cores provide a decisive advantage despite the i3-4160T's Hyper-Threading.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 1518 for the i5-6350HQ versus 1106 for the i3-4160T, a 37.3% difference. The consistency of these margins across different Cinebench versions suggests the performance gap is stable across workload generations. Single-core performance also favors the i5-6350HQ, with Cinebench R20 single-core scores of 214 versus 156, a 37.2% delta. This is notable because the i3-4160T has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.30 GHz), yet the i5-6350HQ's Skylake architecture and boost clock still deliver a substantial single-threaded win.

Cinebench R23 multi-core results continue the trend: 3616 for the i5-6350HQ and 2635 for the i3-4160T, a 37.2% gap. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-6350HQ scores 510 versus 372, still a decisive 37.1% lead. These results indicate that the i5-6350HQ's architectural advantages—newer process node, larger cache, and higher boost clock—outweigh the i3-4160T's higher base frequency.

The average benchmark scores tell a broader story: the i5-6350HQ averages 1046, while the i3-4160T averages 1043. This nearly identical average masks the head-to-head dominance, as the i5-6350HQ's benchmark portfolio includes different test distributions. The i3-4160T has additional Geekbench scores (1840 multi-core, 926 single-core) not present in the i5-6350HQ's data, which may affect the aggregate comparison. Nevertheless, in every directly comparable Cinebench test, the i5-6350HQ wins by a wide and consistent margin.