Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i3-6320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Core i3-6320 across every shared Cinebench test. The i3-6320 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with the i3-4170T failing to take a single test. The margins are substantial and consistent, ranging from 40.7% to 41.4% in the i3-6320's favor.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-6320 scores 378 against 268 for the i3-4170T, a 41% advantage. The gap is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-6320 posts 1576 versus 1120, a 40.7% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same pattern: 3753 against 2667, again a 40.7% delta. These multi-core results are striking because both processors are 2-core/4-thread parts, so the performance difference comes almost entirely from clock speed and architecture efficiency rather than core count.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-6320 scores 222 against 157, a 41.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 529 versus 376, a 40.7% delta. The i3-6320's 3.90 GHz base clock versus the i3-4170T's 3.20 GHz base clock explains much of this, but the Skylake architecture also extracts more work per clock than Haswell.

The average benchmark score reinforces the picture. The i3-6320 averages 1085 across all recorded tests, while the i3-4170T averages 1072. Interestingly, both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning that despite the large internal gap, neither chip is positioned far from the other in the broader performance distribution. The i3-6320's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2450P (average score 1086, delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-2320 (1083, delta 0.2%), Intel Core i5-3335S (1083, delta 0.2%), and Intel Core i5-3350P (1088, delta -0.2%). The i3-4170T's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-5287U (1072, delta 0%), AMD Athlon X4 880K (1071, delta 0.1%), Intel Core i5-2310 (1073, delta -0.1%), and AMD Opteron 3380 (1071, delta 0.1%).

FAQ

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

A: The i3-6320 wins every multi-core test. It scores 378 in Cinebench R15, 1576 in R20, and 3753 in R23, versus 268, 1120, and 2667 respectively for the i3-4170T. The deltas range from 40.7% to 41%.

Q: Is the i3-6320 also faster in single-core tasks?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R20 single-core it scores 222 against 157, a 41.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 529 against 376, a 40.7% advantage. The i3-6320 has a 3.90 GHz base clock versus 3.20 GHz for the i3-4170T.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i3-6320 is rated at 51 watts. The i3-4170T is the lower-power part.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: No. The i3-6320 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i3-4170T supports DDR3 with dual-channel bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both CPUs still in production?

A: The i3-6320 is listed as Active, while the i3-4170T is End-of-life.

Q: What integrated graphics do they have?

A: The i3-6320 uses Intel HD 530, and the i3-4170T uses Intel HD 4400.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent different Intel architectures and manufacturing processes. The i3-6320 is built on Skylake using a 14 nm process node, while the i3-4170T is Haswell on a 22 nm node. Both have the same transistor count at 1,400 million, but the die sizes differ significantly: the i3-6320 has a die size of 150 mm², while the i3-4170T is larger at 177 mm². The smaller die on the newer process explains why the i3-6320 can achieve higher clock speeds at a modest TDP increase (51 watts versus 35 watts).

Cache configurations also differ. Both chips have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache is different: the i3-6320 has 4 MB shared L3, while the i3-4170T has 3 MB shared L3. This extra 1 MB of L3 cache contributes to the i3-6320's better performance in memory-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is another major architectural split. The i3-6320 uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-4170T uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The higher memory bandwidth of the i3-6320 gives it an edge in bandwidth-limited tasks.

Both CPUs share some features: neither has ECC memory support, both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and both lack an unlocked multiplier. The sockets are different: the i3-6320 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150. The i3-6320 belongs to the Core i3 (Skylake) generation, while the i3-4170T belongs to the Core i3 (Haswell) generation.

The production status also differs. The i3-6320 is marked Active, while the i3-4170T is End-of-Life. Release dates are close: the i3-6320 launched in late August 2015, and the i3-4170T launched in late March 2015.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-6320 is the stronger performer in every measured benchmark. It wins all five head-to-head tests with deltas between 40.7% and 41.4%. For any workload that relies on CPU compute, the i3-6320 is the clear choice.

The i3-4170T's only advantages are in power consumption and platform characteristics. Its 35 watt TDP is lower than the i3-6320's 51 watts, making it suitable for compact or low-power builds. It also uses DDR3 memory, which may be available at lower system cost if the buyer already owns DDR3 modules.

For a new build, the i3-6320's Socket 1151, DDR4 support, and 4 MB L3 cache provide a more modern foundation. The i3-4170T is an end-of-life part, while the i3-6320 remains active in production. If the goal is maximum performance per dollar of electricity or per watt of heat, the i3-4170T has a role. If the goal is raw throughput, the i3-6320 is superior in every category measured.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i3-6320 | Intel Core i3-4170T |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 150 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 530 | Intel HD 4400 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2015-08-31 | 2015-03-29 |

Both CPUs share: 2 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), no unlocked multiplier, and the same transistor count of 1,400 million.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-6320:

• Multi-core rendering: 41% ahead in Cinebench R15, 40.7% ahead in R20, 40.7% ahead in R23.
• Single-core performance: 41.4% ahead in Cinebench R20 single-core, 40.7% ahead in R23 single-core.
• Memory bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s.
• L3 cache: 4 MB versus 3 MB.
• Modern platform: Socket 1151, DDR4 support, active production status.
• Smaller die (150 mm²) on a newer 14 nm process.

Intel Core i3-4170T:

• Power efficiency: 35 watt TDP versus 51 watts.
• DDR3 compatibility: useful for upgrades of existing older systems.
• End-of-life, so may be available at a lower price in the used market (though pricing is not covered in the database).

For a builder starting from scratch, the i3-6320 offers a significantly faster CPU with a more modern feature set. For a builder with a Socket 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory already on hand, the i3-4170T can provide an adequate, low-power upgrade path. The performance gap is large enough that any latency-sensitive or compute-heavy workload will strongly favor the i3-6320. The i3-4170T is best reserved for very low-power builds or for systems where the existing platform dictates the choice.