Intel Core i3-4170 vs Intel Pentium Silver N6005 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a striking split between these two Intel processors. The Pentium Silver N6005 wins five of the seven recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i3-4170 takes the remaining two. The margins, however, tell a more complex story than the raw win count suggests.

In Cinebench tests, the Pentium Silver N6005 is consistently dominant. The multicore R15 test shows the N6005 scoring 447 against the i3-4170's 306, a 46.1% advantage. The R20 multicore result repeats the pattern with 1866 versus 1275, a 46.4% gap. R23 multicore sees 4444 against 3038, another 46.3% lead. Even in single-core Cinebench tests, where older architectures typically excel, the N6005 wins: R20 single-core shows 263 versus 180 (46.1% ahead), and R23 single-core shows 627 versus 429 (46.2% ahead). The R15 single-core test was not recorded for the i3-4170, so no comparison is available there.

The Core i3-4170 fights back decisively in Geekbench. The multicore test shows the i3-4170 scoring 2033 against the N6005's 1469, a 27.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: 1090 versus 564, giving the i3-4170 a 48.3% lead. These are substantial margins, indicating that the i3-4170 has a fundamentally different performance profile under Geekbench's workload characteristics.

Looking at the aggregate picture, the N6005 posts an average benchmark score of 1218, while the i3-4170 averages 1193. The N6005 sits at the 34th percentile among all CPUs, and the i3-4170 at the 33rd percentile. Their nearest rivals are similar: the N6005 trades blows with the Core i7-3632QM (delta -0.1%), Core i5-2500 (delta -0.2%), Xeon E5-1607 v3 (delta 0.5%), and Core i3-7300T (delta 0.6%). The i3-4170 matches the AMD Athlon PRO 300U and Core i7-8665UE exactly (0.0% delta), with the AMD Opteron 3365 slightly behind (-0.1%) and the AMD Opteron 6234 slightly ahead (0.2%).

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium Silver N6005 is the clear winner for Cinebench-based workloads. Its consistent 46% advantage across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore tests, indicates that the Tremont architecture handles rendering and compute tasks with significantly better efficiency. The N6005's 4 cores and 4 threads, combined with its 3.30 GHz boost clock, allow it to outpace the older dual-core design despite the i3-4170's higher base frequency.

The Core i3-4170 dominates in Geekbench, with a 27.7% multicore lead and a massive 48.3% single-core lead. This suggests that Geekbench's test suite favors the Haswell architecture's execution pipeline, memory latency characteristics, or instruction handling. For users running Geekbench-style workloads, which often include cryptography, compression, and browser tasks, the i3-4170 provides noticeably snappier results.

The win split is straightforward: five tests favor the N6005, two favor the i3-4170. The N6005's wins are clustered in Cinebench, while the i3-4170's wins are exclusively in Geekbench. No test in the database shows a close result; every comparison has a clear winner with at least a 27.7% margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different eras of Intel design. The Pentium Silver N6005 uses the Tremont architecture, part of the Jasper Lake family, built on a 10 nm process node. The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm node. This process gap is significant: the 10 nm node allows for much smaller transistors and lower power consumption.

The N6005 integrates 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. The cache layouts differ substantially. The N6005 offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1.5 MB of shared L2, and 4 MB of shared L3. The i3-4170 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The N6005's larger shared L2 and L3 caches support its multicore Cinebench advantage.

The die sizes reflect the process differences. The N6005 has a die size of 63.8 mm², while the i3-4170 measures 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The N6005's die size is recorded but its transistor count is not in the database. The i3-4170's larger die on an older process explains its higher power draw.

The N6005 features Intel UHD Graphics 32EU, while the i3-4170 uses Intel HD 4400. Both are integrated graphics solutions, but the newer UHD architecture on the N6005 benefits from the 10 nm process.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is power consumption. The N6005 has a TDP of 10 watts, while the i3-4170 draws 54 watts. This 44-watt difference makes the N6005 dramatically more efficient for compact or fanless systems.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The N6005 has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3300 MHz. The i3-4170 has a base clock of 3700 MHz and no boost clock recorded, running at a fixed frequency. The i3-4170's higher sustained clock helps explain its Geekbench single-core lead.

Memory support is entirely different. The N6005 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory, while the i3-4170 supports only DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the memory bandwidth differs: the N6005 achieves 46.9 GB/s, while the i3-4170 manages 25.6 GB/s. The N6005's nearly double bandwidth supports its Cinebench multicore performance.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The N6005 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4170 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i3-4170's additional lanes allow for more expansion cards or faster multi-GPU configurations.

The sockets are incompatible. The N6005 uses Intel BGA 1338, a soldered mobile socket, while the i3-4170 uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop socket. The N6005 is classified as a Mobile segment processor, while the i3-4170 is Desktop. Both are end-of-life products.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The N6005 has the part number SRKGU, while the i3-4170 is SR1PL. The i3-4170 has a recorded release date of April 30, 2014, while the N6005's release date is not in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multicore tests?

A: The Pentium Silver N6005 wins all recorded Cinebench multicore tests. It scores 447 in R15, 1866 in R20, and 4444 in R23, versus the i3-4170's 306, 1275, and 3038 respectively. The N6005 leads by 46.1% to 46.4% depending on the test version.

Q: Why does the Core i3-4170 win Geekbench despite losing Cinebench?

A: The i3-4170 wins Geekbench multicore with 2033 against 1469 (27.7% ahead) and Geekbench single-core with 1090 against 564 (48.3% ahead). The different workload characteristics in Geekbench favor the Haswell architecture's higher clock speed and execution efficiency.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Pentium Silver N6005 has a TDP of 10 watts, while the Core i3-4170 has a TDP of 54 watts. The N6005 uses 44 fewer watts, making it suitable for low-power or passively cooled systems.

Q: Can these processors use the same memory?

A: No. The N6005 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-4170 supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the memory types and speeds are incompatible.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The N6005 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The N6005's two additional physical cores contribute to its multicore Cinebench advantage.

Q: Are they on the same socket?

A: No. The N6005 uses Intel BGA 1338, a mobile socket, while the i3-4170 uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop socket. They are not interchangeable in any motherboard.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on use case. The Pentium Silver N6005 is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering and compute workloads, delivering a consistent 46% advantage across all versions of the test. Its 10 watt TDP, 4 physical cores, and 46.9 GB/s memory bandwidth make it ideal for low-power builds, mobile systems, or any scenario where efficiency matters more than raw clock speed. The N6005's 4 MB L3 cache and 1.5 MB shared L2 cache provide ample capacity for its four cores.

The Core i3-4170 is the pick for Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by 27.7% multicore and 48.3% single-core. Its 3.70 GHz fixed clock speed and Haswell architecture deliver strong single-thread performance that the N6005 cannot match in those tests. The 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and desktop Socket 1150 make it a more flexible option for traditional desktop builds with multiple expansion cards.

For most users, the N6005's five benchmark wins, lower power draw, and newer 10 nm process make it the more attractive processor. The i3-4170's two Geekbench wins, while significant, come in a narrower set of workloads. The N6005 also edges out the i3-4170 in average benchmark score (1218 versus 1193) and percentile ranking (34th versus 33rd).

Choose the N6005 for efficient, compact systems or Cinebench-heavy tasks. Choose the i3-4170 if Geekbench performance is your priority and you have a desktop motherboard with Socket 1150 available. Both are end-of-life products, so availability and platform compatibility will likely determine the practical choice.