Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i3-4360 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two Haswell dual-core processors is decisively one-sided. Across every recorded test, the Intel Core i3-4360 finishes ahead of the Intel Core i3-4170T. The results are consistent, with the performance gap holding remarkably steady across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4360 scores 310 against the i3-4170T's 268, a delta of negative 13.5 percent from the perspective of the slower chip. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-4360 posts 1294 versus 1120, a 13.4 percent difference. The R23 multi-core test shows 3082 for the i3-4360 and 2667 for the i3-4170T, again a 13.5 percent gap. These multi-core results tell a simple story: the i3-4360 delivers roughly 13.5 percent more throughput in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core performance follows the same trajectory. Cinebench R20 single-core shows the i3-4360 at 182, beating the i3-4170T's 157 by 13.7 percent. In R23 single-core, the i3-4360 scores 435 against 376, a 13.6 percent advantage. The consistency of these deltas, all falling between 13.4 and 13.7 percent, suggests the performance difference is not workload-dependent but rather a fundamental characteristic of the two chips' operating points.

The i3-4170T does not record a single win in the head-to-head comparison. It has zero wins, while the i3-4360 takes all five benchmark victories. That said, the i3-4170T is not without merit. Its average benchmark score of 1072 places it in the 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i3-4360, with an average score of 1061, sits at the 29th percentile. The average scores are closer than the head-to-head results suggest, but the head-to-head tests are the more direct comparison.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip puts their overall standing in context. The i3-4170T's average score of 1072 ties it exactly with the Intel Core i5-5287U, while the AMD Athlon X4 880K and AMD Opteron 3380 both sit at 1071, a negligible 0.1 percent behind. The Intel Core i5-2310 is 0.1 percent ahead at 1073. On the other side, the i3-4360's average of 1061 matches the AMD Opteron 4376 HE, with the Intel Core i5-4570TE 0.1 percent ahead and the AMD FX-8320E 0.2 percent behind. These rival comparisons show both chips landing in the same general performance tier, despite the consistent head-to-head gap.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Haswell architecture, manufactured on the same 22 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. They share the same transistor count of 1,400 million and an identical die size of 177 mm². Both are dual-core parts with four threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. They both use the Intel Socket 1150 and support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration.

The most significant architectural difference lies in the base clock. The i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz, while the i3-4360 runs at 3.70 GHz. That 0.5 GHz difference explains the consistent benchmark gap. The i3-4170T carries a 35 watt TDP, whereas the i3-4360 is rated at 54 watts. This makes the i3-4170T the lower-power part, designed for more thermally constrained systems. The i3-4360 uses more power to achieve its higher clock speed.

Cache configuration also differs. The i3-4170T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4360 has 4 MB. Both share the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. The extra 1 MB of L3 cache on the i3-4360 is a secondary factor, but it does not appear to change the performance delta beyond what the clock speed already dictates.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4170T features Intel HD 4400, while the i3-4360 steps up to Intel HD 4600. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The PCIe implementation is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i3-4170T, while the i3-4360 is listed simply as Gen 3 without a lane count in the database. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 25.6 GB/s for the i3-4170T, with no figure listed for the i3-4360.

The release dates place these chips about 11 months apart. The i3-4360 was released on April 30, 2014, while the i3-4170T followed on March 29, 2015. The i3-4170T is marked as end-of-life, while production status for the i3-4360 is not recorded. The i3-4170T has a part number of SR1TC, while no part number is listed for the i3-4360.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for raw performance. The Intel Core i3-4360 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison by a margin of roughly 13.5 percent. If the priority is maximum compute throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i3-4360 is the better part. Its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and larger 4 MB L3 cache deliver measurable advantages across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

The i3-4170T is the part to pick when power consumption matters more than peak performance. Its 35 watt TDP versus the i3-4360's 54 watts represents a substantial reduction in thermal output. For a compact desktop build, a system with limited cooling, or a use case where the CPU sits near idle most of the time, that power difference can be the deciding factor. The i3-4170T still delivers usable dual-core performance, as its 30th percentile standing among all CPUs shows.

Do not overthink the average benchmark scores. The i3-4170T averages 1072 points, and the i3-4360 averages 1061, a difference of about one percent. But that average includes different benchmark suites and does not reflect the direct head-to-head tests. When the two chips are run through the same Cinebench workloads, the i3-4360 is consistently faster by a double-digit margin. The average score is a useful global reference, not a substitute for direct comparison.

Neither chip is a modern powerhouse. Both sit near the 29th to 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database. They are dual-core parts from the Haswell generation, and their nearest rivals include a mix of older Intel Core i5s and AMD FX and Athlon parts. For a builder choosing between these two specifically, the decision hinges on the power envelope rather than any subtle architectural nuance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The base clock is 3.20 GHz for the i3-4170T and 3.70 GHz for the i3-4360. TDP is 35 watts versus 54 watts, favoring the i3-4170T. L3 cache is 3 MB shared on the i3-4170T and 4 MB shared on the i3-4360. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4400 on the i3-4170T and Intel HD 4600 on the i3-4360. Memory bandwidth is listed at 25.6 GB/s for the i3-4170T, with no value recorded for the i3-4360. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i3-4170T, while the i3-4360 is listed as Gen 3 without a lane count. Release dates are March 29, 2015 for the i3-4170T and April 30, 2014 for the i3-4360. Production status is end-of-life for the i3-4170T, with no status recorded for the i3-4360. A part number exists for the i3-4170T (SR1TC), while none is listed for the i3-4360.

The remaining specifications are identical. Both use Intel Socket 1150, Haswell architecture, the 22 nm process node, Intel as the foundry, 1,400 million transistors, a 177 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, dual-channel DDR3 memory support, no ECC support, and no unlocked multiplier. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-4360 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 310 against 268, in R20 it scores 1294 against 1120, and in R23 it scores 3082 against 2667. The margin is about 13.5 percent in each case.

Q: How much power does each processor draw?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel Core i3-4360 has a TDP of 54 watts. The i3-4170T uses substantially less power.

Q: Do these processors have the same cache configuration?

A: No. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs. The i3-4170T has 3 MB shared, while the i3-4360 has 4 MB shared.

Q: What integrated graphics do these chips include?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T includes Intel HD 4400 graphics. The Intel Core i3-4360 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Neither the i3-4170T nor the i3-4360 has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4360. In Cinebench R20 single-core it scores 182 against 157, and in R23 single-core it scores 435 against 376. The advantage is about 13.6 percent.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4360 wins in every measured benchmark category. It is the faster part for rendering workloads, as shown by its 310, 1294, and 3082 scores in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests respectively. It also wins in single-core performance, with scores of 182 and 435 in R20 and R23 single-core. Any application that scales with CPU clock speed will favor the i3-4360, thanks to its 3.70 GHz base clock and 4 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core i3-4170T wins in the power efficiency category, though the database does not record a direct efficiency benchmark. Its 35 watt TDP is significantly lower than the i3-4360's 54 watts, making it the better choice for a low-power build. The i3-4170T also carries a 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, a specification not recorded for the i3-4360, though this does not translate into a benchmark victory. Its 30th percentile standing among all CPUs is one point higher than the i3-4360's 29th percentile, but the direct comparisons all favor the i3-4360.

For a builder who wants maximum compute performance from these two specific parts, the i3-4360 is the only rational choice. For a builder who prioritizes low power draw, the i3-4170T is the part that fits that requirement. There is no scenario in the recorded data where the i3-4170T outperforms the i3-4360 in a head-to-head benchmark. The decision comes down to whether the 19 watt TDP difference matters more than the 13.5 percent performance deficit.