Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-2320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data set is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-2320 wins every single recorded benchmark against the Intel Core i3-4170T. In the head-to-head comparisons, the i5-2320 takes all five tests, with the i3-4170T failing to secure a single victory. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around the 18% mark in each workload.

Starting with multi-core performance, the i5-2320 posts 317 points in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 268 for the i3-4170T, a lead of 18.3%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-2320 scores 1321 against 1120, a 17.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-2320 records 3146 points compared to 2667, translating to an 18% edge. These are substantial margins for CPUs that both sit at the 30th percentile of all processors in the database.

Single-core results tell the same story, though with slightly different margins. The i5-2320 leads by 18.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core, scoring 186 versus 157. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-2320's 444 points outpace the i3-4170T's 376, a difference of 18.1%. The consistency of these deltas, all between 17.9% and 18.5%, suggests that the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce the pattern. The i5-2320 averages 1083 points, while the i3-4170T averages 1072. That is a slim 1% difference in the aggregate, but it masks the fact that the i3-4170T has an additional Geekbench result (1945 multi-core, 972 single-core) that is not present in the i5-2320's record. When looking strictly at the shared Cinebench tests, the i5-2320 is the clear winner across the board.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2320 wins in every category where both CPUs have recorded data. For multi-threaded productivity, the four physical cores of the i5-2320 deliver a decisive edge: 18.3% in Cinebench R15, 17.9% in R20, and 18% in R23 multi-core. This makes it the better choice for rendering, batch processing, or any workload that scales with core count.

Single-threaded performance also favors the i5-2320, albeit by a similar margin. The 18.5% lead in Cinebench R20 single-core and 18.1% in R23 single-core indicate that the older Sandy Bridge architecture, despite its 32 nm node, holds a clear per-thread advantage over the newer Haswell design in these tests. This is notable because the i3-4170T has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) yet still loses by nearly a fifth in single-threaded workloads.

The i3-4170T's only recorded advantage comes from the Geekbench results, which are absent for the i5-2320. With 1945 multi-core and 972 single-core, these scores are not directly comparable to the Cinebench numbers, and the database does not provide a head-to-head Geekbench comparison. Therefore, the i3-4170T cannot claim a benchmark win from the recorded data, only a different set of results that happen to be included in its file.

For power-sensitive scenarios, the i3-4170T's 35 W TDP is far lower than the i5-2320's 95 W, but the database does not include any power consumption or thermal measurements. The analysis must stick to performance data, where the i5-2320 dominates.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The i5-2320 is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i3-4170T is Haswell, fabricated on a 22 nm node with 1,400 million transistors packed into a smaller 177 mm² die. The newer node gives the i3-4170T a transistor density advantage, but the database shows that this does not translate into a performance win in the recorded benchmarks.

Core configuration differs significantly. The i5-2320 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4170T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. The i5-2320's extra physical cores are the most likely explanation for its multi-core dominance. Cache allocation also diverges: the i5-2320 carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB found on the i3-4170T. Both CPUs share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) arrangement.

The i3-4170T has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz, but it has no boost clock listed in the database. The i5-2320 starts at 3.00 GHz and can boost to 3.30 GHz. This means the i5-2320 has a peak frequency advantage of 0.10 GHz when boosting, which likely contributes to its single-threaded wins despite the i3's higher stock speed.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-2320 pairs with Intel HD 2000, while the i3-4170T includes Intel HD 4400. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the performance impact cannot be quantified, but the i3-4170T's newer iGPU is a feature difference worth noting. Both CPUs support DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, but only the i3-4170T has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-2320 wins every multi-core test. It leads by 18.3% in Cinebench R15 (317 versus 268), 17.9% in R20 (1321 versus 1120), and 18% in R23 (3146 versus 2667).

Q: Is the i3-4170T faster in single-core performance?

A: No. Despite having a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, the i3-4170T loses by 18.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core (157 versus 186) and 18.1% in R23 single-core (376 versus 444).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-2320 averages 1083 points, while the i3-4170T averages 1072. Both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile of all processors in the database.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i5-2320 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Do they support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR3 on a dual-channel bus. The i3-4170T has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-2320 does not have a bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-2320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB on the i3-4170T.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2320 | Intel Core i3-4170T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | None listed |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel HD 4400 |

| Release Date | 2011-09-03 | 2015-03-29 |

| Part Number | SR02L | SR1TC |

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-2320 is the superior processor according to the recorded data. It wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with margins between 17.9% and 18.5%. The i5-2320's four physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache give it a structural advantage over the i3-4170T's two cores and 3 MB of cache. Even in single-threaded tests, where the i3-4170T's higher base clock might be expected to help, the i5-2320 prevails by roughly 18%.

The i3-4170T is not without merits. Its 35 W TDP is dramatically lower than the i5-2320's 95 W, which could make it a better fit for compact or low-power systems. Its Haswell architecture and newer integrated graphics (HD 4400 versus HD 2000) are also more modern, and it has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. However, none of these features translate into a benchmark victory in the database.

For users prioritizing raw performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the i5-2320 is the clear choice. For those who value power efficiency or need the newer socket (1150) and integrated graphics, the i3-4170T offers a viable alternative, but the data cannot support a performance-based recommendation for it. The verdict is straightforward: pick the i5-2320 for speed, pick the i3-4170T only if the lower power draw or platform compatibility matters more than benchmark scores.