Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-2310 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-2310 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-4170T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads. This difference is fundamental to their performance profiles.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-2310 leads in every head-to-head benchmark, with deltas ranging from 16.9% to 17.2%. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-2310 scores 3118 versus 2667 for the i3-4170T.

Q: Does the i3-4170T have any single-core advantage?

A: No. Despite a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz (versus 2.90 GHz for the i5-2310), the i5-2310 wins single-core tests too. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2310 scores 184 versus 157 for the i3-4170T, a 17.2% advantage.

Q: What are the power consumption characteristics of each chip?

A: The i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-2310 has a TDP of 95 watts. The i3-4170T consumes significantly less power, reflecting its low-power "T" designation.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-2310 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4170T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-2310's cache is twice as large.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The i5-2310 has an average benchmark score of 1073, and the i3-4170T has an average score of 1072, a difference of just 0.1%. Both sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The i5-2310 is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i3-4170T is a Haswell part, fabricated on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The newer Haswell architecture packs more transistors into a smaller die, which typically implies better transistor density and efficiency per unit area.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The i5-2310 offers 4 physical cores with 4 threads, while the i3-4170T offers 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. This means the i5-2310 has true quad-core execution capacity, whereas the i3-4170T relies on thread interleaving to fill its execution slots.

Cache hierarchies differ in capacity. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the i5-2310 versus 3 MB shared on the i3-4170T. The larger L3 cache on the i5-2310 can hold more working set data, potentially reducing memory traffic.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The i5-2310 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz with a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The i3-4170T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock. Despite the i3's higher base frequency, the i5's boost capability and extra cores give it the edge in sustained workloads.

The integrated graphics differ: the i5-2310 features Intel HD 2000, while the i3-4170T features Intel HD 4400. The HD 4400 is a newer generation GPU, but the benchmark data focuses on CPU performance rather than graphics output.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel buses. The i3-4170T has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-2310's memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2310 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the data set, making it the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks. Its 4 physical cores provide consistent advantage in multi-threaded applications, as evidenced by the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations that scale with core count, the i5-2310 is the stronger option.

The i3-4170T's domain is power efficiency, not peak performance. Its 35-watt TDP is roughly one-third of the i5-2310's 95-watt TDP. This makes the i3-4170T suitable for compact systems, always-on servers, or home theater PCs where heat and electricity draw are primary concerns. The data shows it trades away roughly 17% performance in exchange for this efficiency.

Surprisingly, the i5-2310 also wins in single-core tests. The i3-4170T's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz does not translate into a single-thread victory. The i5-2310's boost clock of 3.20 GHz, combined with the architectural differences, yields a 17% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core (184 vs 157). This suggests the extra physical cores might be helping sustain turbo states, or that Haswell's single-thread efficiency is not enough to overcome the core count deficit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications:

• Cores: i5-2310 has 4, i3-4170T has 2
• Threads: i5-2310 has 4, i3-4170T has 4
• Base Clock: i5-2310 at 2.90 GHz, i3-4170T at 3.20 GHz
• Boost Clock: i5-2310 at 3.20 GHz, i3-4170T has none
• TDP: i5-2310 at 95 watts, i3-4170T at 35 watts
• Socket: i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155, i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150
• Architecture: i5-2310 is Sandy Bridge, i3-4170T is Haswell
• Process Node: i5-2310 at 32 nm, i3-4170T at 22 nm
• Transistors: i5-2310 at 1,160 million, i3-4170T at 1,400 million
• Die Size: i5-2310 at 216 mm², i3-4170T at 177 mm²
• L3 Cache: i5-2310 at 6 MB shared, i3-4170T at 3 MB shared
• Memory Bandwidth: i5-2310 not specified, i3-4170T at 25.6 GB/s
• Integrated Graphics: i5-2310 has Intel HD 2000, i3-4170T has Intel HD 4400
• Release Date: i5-2310 launched May 2011, i3-4170T launched March 2015

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-2310 dominates the head-to-head competition with 5 wins and 0 losses. The margins are remarkably consistent, ranging from 16.9% to 17.2% across all tests. This uniformity suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific one.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2310 scores 314 versus 268 for the i3-4170T, a 17.2% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 1309 versus 1120, a 16.9% delta. The R23 multi-core test shows 3118 versus 2667, also 16.9%. The consistency of these multi-core results points to the core count advantage being the dominant factor.

Single-core tests tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2310 scores 184 versus 157, a 17.2% margin. In R23 single-core, it scores 440 versus 376, a 17% margin. These single-core results are notable because the i3-4170T has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 2.90 GHz). The i5-2310's boost clock reaches 3.20 GHz, matching the i3's base clock, but the architectural efficiency of Sandy Bridge appears superior for these workloads.

The i3-4170T has additional benchmark data in Geekbench, scoring 1945 multi-core and 972 single-core, but no Geekbench results are listed for the i5-2310 in the head-to-head data. This makes a direct Geekbench comparison impossible.

The average benchmark scores are nearly tied: 1073 for the i5-2310 and 1072 for the i3-4170T, a 0.1% difference. Both processors sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier overall despite the inconsistent head-to-head results.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear performance hierarchy. The i5-2310 wins every benchmark where both chips are measured, with a consistent 17% margin. For users who prioritize raw computing throughput, the i5-2310 is the obvious choice. Its four physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache provide a structural advantage that the i3-4170T's higher base clock cannot overcome.

The i3-4170T's case rests on power consumption. Its 35-watt TDP versus 95 watts for the i5-2310 represents a substantial efficiency gain. In scenarios where system size, cooling, or energy costs are paramount, the i3-4170T is the rational selection. The data shows it delivers roughly 83% of the i5-2310's performance at about 37% of the power envelope.

The near-identical average benchmark scores (1073 vs 1072) and the shared 30th percentile ranking suggest that in a broad mix of real-world applications, the two chips might perform similarly. However, the head-to-head Cinebench results are unambiguous: the i5-2310 wins all five tests. The discrepancy between the overall average and the head-to-head results could be due to different workload mixes in the averaging methodology.

Socket compatibility is a decisive practical factor. The i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150. These are not interchangeable, so the choice may be dictated by the existing motherboard.

For a new build with no platform constraints, the i5-2310's performance advantage makes it the pick for anyone running CPU-intensive applications. The i3-4170T is the pick for low-power systems where the performance deficit is acceptable. The data does not identify a scenario where the i3-4170T wins on performance, so its appeal is entirely efficiency-driven.