Intel Core i3-4170 vs Intel Core i3-7300T Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two desktop processors is remarkably one-sided. Across every recorded Cinebench test, the Intel Core i3-7300T takes the win, leaving the Intel Core i3-4170 without a single head-to-head victory. The database records five wins for the 7300T and zero for the 4170, which makes the use-case distinction fairly straightforward: if the workload relies on CPU compute, the 7300T is the stronger choice.

That said, the wins are not overwhelming in magnitude. The 7300T consistently beats the 4170 by roughly 15.6 to 15.8 percent depending on the test. This is a meaningful gap, but not a generational chasm. For single-threaded tasks, the 7300T leads by 15.6 percent in both Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. For multi-threaded workloads, the lead sits at 15.7 percent in Cinebench R15 and 15.8 percent in both Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core tests. So the advantage is uniform across the board, not concentrated in one type of workload.

The 7300T also posts a higher average benchmark score of 1211 compared to 1193 for the 4170. The 7300T sits at the 34th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the 4170 sits at the 33rd percentile. These are nearly identical positions in the overall distribution, which tells a nuanced story: the 7300T is faster in these specific tests, but both processors occupy a similar tier of overall performance relative to the full CPU landscape.

Where each one wins, then, is not about workload type but about generation. The 7300T wins everywhere. The 4170 does not win anywhere in the recorded benchmarks. However, the 4170 is not without its own context: it has a Geekbench multi-core score of 2033 and a single-core score of 1090, tests that were not recorded for the 7300T. So the database does not show a direct comparison in Geekbench, which leaves a small gap in the picture.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i3-7300T is built on Kaby Lake, a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i3-4170 is Haswell, built on the older 22 nm node. The process shrink is significant: the 7300T has no recorded transistor count or die size, but the 4170 is documented with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The smaller process node on the 7300T is likely a major reason it achieves higher performance while consuming less power, though the database does not provide direct efficiency measurements.

The cache configuration also differs. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The difference comes at L3: the 7300T has 4 MB shared, while the 4170 has 3 MB shared. That extra 1 MB of L3 cache gives the 7300T more room for frequently accessed data, which can help in workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support is another clear split. The 7300T supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The 4170 supports DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a lower memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. That is a substantial difference in theoretical memory throughput, and it likely contributes to the 7300T's performance advantage in memory-sensitive tasks.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 7300T comes with Intel HD 630, while the 4170 has Intel HD 4400. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the practical impact is not quantified, but the newer HD 630 is part of the Kaby Lake generation.

Both chips have the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The sockets differ: the 7300T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 4170 uses Intel Socket 1150. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard, which is an important practical consideration for anyone choosing between them.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-7300T has a base clock of 3.50 GHz. Neither chip has a boost clock recorded in the database.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i3-4170 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-4170 supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, with 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel Core i3-4170 has a TDP of 54 watts. The 7300T draws less power while delivering higher benchmark scores.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T is listed as active in production. The Intel Core i3-4170 is listed as end-of-life.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-7300T has an average benchmark score of 1211. The Intel Core i3-4170 has an average benchmark score of 1193. The 7300T also sits at the 34th percentile among all CPUs, while the 4170 sits at the 33rd percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clocks are close but not identical: the 7300T runs at 3.50 GHz, while the 4170 runs at 3.70 GHz. The 4170 has a higher base clock, yet it loses in every benchmark, which suggests that architectural efficiency and other factors outweigh the raw clock speed difference.

The process node is a major differentiator. The 7300T is built on 14 nm, while the 4170 uses 22 nm. The 4170 has a documented transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm²; the 7300T has no such figures recorded. The TDP also differs significantly: 35 watts for the 7300T versus 54 watts for the 4170.

The sockets are different: the 7300T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 4170 uses Intel Socket 1150. The L3 cache differs by 1 MB, with the 7300T holding 4 MB and the 4170 holding 3 MB. Memory support is split by generation: DDR4 for the 7300T and DDR3 for the 4170, with corresponding bandwidth figures of 38.4 GB/s and 25.6 GB/s.

The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 630 for the 7300T and Intel HD 4400 for the 4170. The release dates are far apart, with the 4170 launching in 2014 and the 7300T launching in 2017. The production status also differs: the 7300T is active, while the 4170 is end-of-life. The 4170 has a launch MSRP of $117, which can be stated once as a reference point. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both have identical PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane configurations.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent across all five recorded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 7300T scores 354 against 306 for the 4170, a 15.7 percent lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the 7300T scores 1477 against 1275, a 15.8 percent lead. The single-core tests follow the same pattern: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 208 against 180, a 15.6 percent lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 496 against 429, also a 15.6 percent lead. Finally, Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3519 against 3038, a 15.8 percent lead.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. The 7300T does not just win; it wins by nearly the same margin in every test. This suggests that the advantage is not tied to a specific workload characteristic but rather to the overall architectural improvements in the Kaby Lake design, including the newer process node, larger cache, and faster memory support.

The 4170 does have Geekbench scores recorded: 2033 multi-core and 1090 single-core. However, the 7300T has no Geekbench scores in the database, so no direct comparison is possible for that benchmark suite. This is a limitation in the data, but the Cinebench results are comprehensive enough to establish a clear performance hierarchy.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical. The 7300T sits at the 34th percentile, and the 4170 sits at the 33rd percentile. This means that despite the 15.6 to 15.8 percent performance gap, both chips are positioned in the same broad performance class relative to all CPUs. The nearest rivals for each chip also tell a similar story: the 7300T sits alongside the Intel Xeon E5645, Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3, Intel Core i3-8121U, and Intel Xeon D-1520, all within 0.2 percent of its average score. The 4170 sits alongside the AMD Athlon PRO 300U, Intel Core i7-8665UE, AMD Opteron 3365, and AMD Opteron 6234, also within 0.2 percent.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-7300T is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all five Cinebench tests, posts a higher average benchmark score, and does so while consuming less power, with a TDP of 35 watts versus 54 watts for the 4170. The 7300T also supports DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth, has more L3 cache, and is built on a newer process node.

For someone building a system around Socket 1151 with DDR4 support, the 7300T is the obvious pick. It is active in production, meaning it is still available, and it delivers roughly 15.8 percent more multi-core performance and 15.6 percent more single-core performance than the 4170. The lower TDP also makes it a better fit for compact or low-power builds, though the database does not include cooling or noise measurements.

The 4170, on the other hand, is end-of-life and uses the older Socket 1150 platform with DDR3 memory. Its only advantage in the specifications is a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.50 GHz, but that does not translate into any benchmark victory. The 4170 also has a recorded launch MSRP of $117, which is a reference point for historical context. For anyone already on a Socket 1150 platform with DDR3 memory, the 4170 could still serve as a functional processor, but the data does not show any scenario where it outperforms the 7300T.

The verdict is straightforward: the 7300T is the faster, more efficient, and more modern chip. The 4170 is an older part with a higher clock but no performance wins. The database shows a uniform 15.6 to 15.8 percent advantage for the 7300T across all compute tests, and that consistency is the most telling detail. There is no workload in the recorded data where the 4170 comes out ahead.