Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-2380P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is decisively one-sided. The Intel Core i5-2380P wins all five recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i3-4170T, with a consistent performance advantage of roughly 14% across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2380P scores 311 against the i3-4170T's 268, a delta of -13.8% from the perspective of the i3. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5 posts 1297 versus 1120, a -13.6% gap. The R23 multi-core test shows the same story: 3090 for the i5 against 2667 for the i3, a -13.7% difference. The i5's four physical cores give it a clear edge in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core results are equally one-sided, which is notable given that the i3-4170T runs at a slightly higher base clock of 3.20 GHz compared to the i5-2380P's 3.10 GHz. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5 scores 183 versus 157, a -14.2% delta. R23 single-core shows 436 against 376, a -13.8% delta. Even with the i3's higher base frequency, the i5's architecture and boost clock of 3.40 GHz deliver superior per-thread performance.

The wins tally confirms the sweep: item A (i3-4170T) records 0 wins, while item B (i5-2380P) records 5. The average benchmark scores tell a similar but tighter story: the i3-4170T averages 1072 across its benchmark suite, while the i5-2380P averages 1063. The i3's average is slightly higher because its recorded benchmarks include Geekbench multi-core (1945) and single-core (972) results, which are not present in the i5's data set. The head-to-head tests, which use identical workloads for both chips, are the more reliable comparison, and they uniformly favor the i5.

Percentile rankings place both processors in the same performance tier. The i3-4170T sits at the 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-2380P sits at the 29th percentile. This proximity in overall ranking reflects the fact that the i3's higher average score is driven by its Geekbench results, whereas the i5's advantage appears specifically in the Cinebench render tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-2380P scores 3090 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 13.7% higher than the Intel Core i3-4170T's 2667.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core workloads?

A: The i5-2380P leads in every recorded single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 436 versus 376 for the i3-4170T, a 13.8% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5 scores 183 against 157, a 14.2% gap.

Q: Does the i3-4170T have any benchmark advantage over the i5-2380P?

A: In the head-to-head Cinebench tests, no. The i5-2380P wins all five comparisons. However, the i3-4170T has a higher average benchmark score of 1072 compared to 1063 for the i5, driven by its Geekbench multi-core score of 1945 and single-core score of 972, which are not recorded for the i5.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-2380P has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5's additional physical cores contribute to its multi-core benchmark lead.

Q: How do their thermal design power ratings differ?

A: The i3-4170T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-2380P has a TDP of 95 watts. The i5 consumes significantly more power, which aligns with its higher core count and older manufacturing process.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-4170T includes integrated graphics, specifically the Intel HD 4400. The Intel Core i5-2380P has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Core i3-4170T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-2380P is based on the older Sandy Bridge architecture and uses a 32 nm process node. This generational gap matters: Haswell was designed to improve instruction efficiency and power characteristics over Sandy Bridge, even though the i5's raw benchmark scores are higher.

Transistor counts and die sizes reflect the architectural divide. The i3-4170T packs 1,400 million transistors onto a 177 mm² die. The i5-2380P contains 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. Despite having fewer transistors, the i5's die is physically larger due to the less dense 32 nm process. The i3's 22 nm process allows for a smaller die with more transistors per square millimeter.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. Both chips share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is where they diverge: the i3-4170T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-2380P has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5's larger L3 cache gives it more room to store frequently accessed data, which contributes to its performance advantage in repeated workloads.

Socket compatibility is distinct. The i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-2380P uses Intel Socket 1155. These are physically different sockets, meaning the two processors are not interchangeable on the same motherboard. The i3's Haswell generation is newer and requires a correspondingly newer platform.

Release timing underscores the generational gap. The i3-4170T was released in 2015, while the i5-2380P was released in 2012. The i3 is three years newer, yet it trails the older i5 in every head-to-head benchmark. That outcome highlights how the i5's four physical cores and larger cache compensate for its older architecture.

Memory support is similar on both sides. Both processors support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The i3-4170T has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the i5-2380P's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCI Express capabilities are identical. Both processors provide Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either chip.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals several clear differences between the two processors. Core counts differ: the i3-4170T has 2 cores, while the i5-2380P has 4 cores. Thread counts also differ, with the i3 offering 4 threads via Hyper-Threading and the i5 offering 4 threads from its physical cores alone.

Base clock speeds are close but not equal. The i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz, while the i5-2380P runs at 3.10 GHz. The i5 additionally has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz; the i3 has no boost clock listed. This means the i5 can raise its frequency under load, while the i3 is fixed at its base speed.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i3-4170T is rated at 35 watts, making it a low-power part. The i5-2380P is rated at 95 watts, nearly three times higher. This difference has practical implications for cooling and system power budgets.

The socket types differ, as noted earlier: Socket 1150 for the i3 and Socket 1155 for the i5. Process nodes differ as well: 22 nm for the i3 versus 32 nm for the i5. Transistor counts and die sizes also differ, with the i3 at 1,400 million transistors and 177 mm², and the i5 at 1,160 million transistors and 216 mm².

L3 cache capacity is doubled on the i5: 6 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the i3. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the i3 at 25.6 GB/s; no figure is recorded for the i5. Integrated graphics are present only on the i3, which features Intel HD 4400; the i5 has no integrated graphics listed.

Release dates differ by roughly three years, with the i3 launched in 2015 and the i5 in 2012. The i3 is marked as end-of-life in the database, while the i5's production status is not listed. Part numbers also differ: SR1TC for the i3 and SR0G2 for the i5.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for users who prioritize raw computational performance: the Intel Core i5-2380P. It wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, with margins consistently around 14% over the i3-4170T in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. The i5's four physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache provide a structural advantage that the i3's newer Haswell architecture cannot overcome in these workloads.

The i3-4170T does have its own merits. Its 35 watt TDP makes it suitable for compact or low-power systems where thermal output is a concern. It also includes integrated graphics, which removes the need for a separate graphics card in basic builds. Its average benchmark score of 1072 is marginally higher than the i5's 1063, but that edge comes from Geekbench results that are not matched across both processors.

For users building a system around a discrete graphics card and seeking the best CPU throughput, the i5-2380P is the stronger option based on the recorded benchmarks. Its higher TDP and lack of integrated graphics are acceptable trade-offs for the consistent multi-core lead it delivers. For users who need a low-power processor with built-in graphics and can tolerate lower rendering scores, the i3-4170T is the appropriate choice. The benchmark data does not support picking the i3 for performance, but its power efficiency and integrated GPU make it a viable option for specific use cases.