Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-2450P Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores, the Intel Core i3-4170T or the Intel Core i5-2450P?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4170T has 2 physical cores. However, the Core i3-4170T supports 4 threads through Hyper-Threading, matching the Core i5-2450P's thread count.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-threaded Geekbench performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T is substantially ahead in Geekbench single-core, scoring 972 versus the Core i5-2450P's 590. That translates to a 64.7% advantage for the Haswell-based chip in this specific test.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P wins all four recorded Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3632 against the Core i3-4170T's 2667, a 26.6% margin.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between these two desktop CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has a 35W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-2450P has a 95W TDP. The Core i3-4170T is therefore rated for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type and PCIe configuration?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Both also feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor has a larger shared L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i3-4170T.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split here is between two distinct Intel generations and process nodes. The Intel Core i3-4170T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-2450P is a Sandy Bridge part fabricated on a 32 nm node. This process difference is reflected in the transistor counts and die sizes: the Haswell chip packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, whereas the Sandy Bridge chip contains 1,160 million transistors across a larger 216 mm² die.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Core i3-4170T is a dual-core part with 4 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to reach that thread count. The Core i5-2450P is a true quad-core design with 4 threads and no Hyper-Threading. Cache hierarchies also diverge: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache is 3 MB shared on the Core i3-4170T versus 6 MB shared on the Core i5-2450P.

Clock behavior further separates them. The Core i3-4170T has a fixed base clock of 3.20 GHz with no boost clock listed. The Core i5-2450P also has a 3.20 GHz base clock but adds a 3.50 GHz boost clock, allowing it to scale up under load. The Core i3-4170T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400), while the Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed.

Memory bandwidth is another differentiator: the Core i3-4170T is rated at 25.6 GB/s, while the Core i5-2450P does not have a memory bandwidth figure recorded. Both support DDR3 and run on dual-channel memory buses. The sockets differ as well: the Core i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150, and the Core i5-2450P uses Intel Socket 1155. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Intel Core i5-2450P dominates in traditional CPU-heavy rendering workloads, while the Intel Core i3-4170T excels in specific single-threaded and memory-sensitive scenarios.

The Core i5-2450P wins in all Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core. This is notable because even in single-core Cinebench R20, where the Core i3-4170T's newer architecture might be expected to help, the Core i5-2450P still wins with a 215 score versus 157. The quad-core Sandy Bridge chip also wins Geekbench multi-core? No, actually the data shows the Core i3-4170T takes Geekbench multi-core with 1945 against 1796. The Core i5-2450P's wins are concentrated in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, all with margins around 26-27%.

The Core i3-4170T's wins are more dramatic in percentage terms. Its Geekbench single-core score of 972 is 64.7% higher than the Core i5-2450P's 590. It also wins Geekbench multi-core by 8.3%, despite having half the physical cores. This suggests the Haswell architecture and its higher memory bandwidth (25.6 GB/s versus no recorded figure for the Sandy Bridge chip) provide a significant advantage in Geekbench's workload mix.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering, the Core i5-2450P is the clear choice. For workloads that resemble Geekbench's tests, the Core i3-4170T offers a surprising edge, especially in single-threaded performance where it is far ahead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields:

• Cores: Core i3-4170T has 2 cores; Core i5-2450P has 4 cores.
• Threads: Core i3-4170T has 4 threads; Core i5-2450P has 4 threads.
• Boost Clock: Core i3-4170T has none listed; Core i5-2450P has 3.50 GHz.
• TDP: Core i3-4170T is 35W; Core i5-2450P is 95W.
• Socket: Core i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150; Core i5-2450P uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Architecture: Core i3-4170T is Haswell; Core i5-2450P is Sandy Bridge.
• Process Node: Core i3-4170T is 22 nm; Core i5-2450P is 32 nm.
• Transistors: Core i3-4170T has 1,400 million; Core i5-2450P has 1,160 million.
• Die Size: Core i3-4170T is 177 mm²; Core i5-2450P is 216 mm².
• L3 Cache: Core i3-4170T has 3 MB shared; Core i5-2450P has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Bandwidth: Core i3-4170T is 25.6 GB/s; Core i5-2450P has no recorded figure.
• Integrated Graphics: Core i3-4170T has Intel HD 4400; Core i5-2450P has none listed.
• Release Date: Core i3-4170T released March 2015; Core i5-2450P released January 2012.
• Part Number: Core i3-4170T is SR1TC; Core i5-2450P is SR0G1.

Both share common ground: DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, and a base clock of 3.20 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows 7 recorded comparisons, with the Core i5-2450P winning 5 and the Core i3-4170T winning 2. The margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count.

The Core i5-2450P's largest victories come in Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 366 against the Core i3-4170T's 268, a 26.8% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 1525 versus 1120, a 26.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the result: 3632 versus 2667, again 26.6%. Even in single-core Cinebench, the Core i5-2450P wins: R20 single-core is 215 versus 157 (27% margin), and R23 single-core is 512 versus 376 (26.6% margin). This consistency across Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental advantage in this specific rendering workload.

The Core i3-4170T's wins are concentrated in Geekbench. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 972 against 590, a massive 64.7% advantage. This is the largest delta in any test. In Geekbench multi-core, it wins 1945 against 1796, an 8.3% margin. Notably, the Core i3-4170T achieves this multi-core win despite having only 2 physical cores versus the Core i5-2450P's 4.

These results indicate that the Core i5-2450P's quad-core design and higher boost clock (3.50 GHz) give it a decisive edge in Cinebench's rendering pipeline. Meanwhile, the Core i3-4170T's Haswell architecture, newer process node, and higher memory bandwidth (25.6 GB/s) make it far superior in Geekbench's single-threaded test and even competitive in multi-threaded Geekbench.

The average benchmark scores place the two very close: the Core i3-4170T averages 1072, while the Core i5-2450P averages 1086, a difference of only 1.3%. Both sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Core i3-4170T include the Intel Core i5-5287U (1072, 0% delta) and AMD Athlon X4 880K (1071, 0.1% delta). The Core i5-2450P's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-6320 (1085, 0.1% delta) and Intel Core i5-3350P (1088, -0.1% delta). This reinforces that while the two chips have very different strengths, their overall average performance is nearly identical.