Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4170T and Intel Core i5-5287U are virtually inseparable in aggregate performance, with both posting an identical average benchmark score of 1072 and matching 30th-percentile rankings. Yet the head-to-head data reveals a clear split: the desktop i3-4170T dominates every Cinebench workload, while the mobile i5-5287U counters with decisive wins in both Geekbench tests. This is not a contest of raw capability but of workload-specific strengths, where the i3-4170T’s higher base clock and desktop power envelope edge out the i5-5287U’s newer architecture and boost capability in rendering tasks, while the i5-5287U’s superior single-thread efficiency and memory bandwidth tip the scales in synthetic system benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4170T wins in five of the seven head-to-head benchmarks, making it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering and sustained CPU workloads. Its victories span the entire Cinebench suite, from the older R15 multicore test (268 vs 261, a 2.7% lead) through R20 multicore (1120 vs 1090, 2.8% ahead) and R23 multicore (2667 vs 2596, 2.7% ahead). Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the i3-4170T maintains its edge: R20 single-core shows 157 vs 153 (2.6% higher), and R23 single-core shows 376 vs 366 (2.7% higher). This consistent dominance in Cinebench suggests the i3-4170T’s fixed 3.20 GHz base clock provides steadier sustained performance than the i5-5287U’s boost-dependent strategy, which peaks at 3.30 GHz but may throttle under load in a mobile chassis.

The Intel Core i5-5287U wins in both Geekbench tests, and these are not narrow margins. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-5287U scores 2007 against the i3-4170T’s 1945, a 3.1% advantage. The single-core gap is even wider: 1029 vs 972, a 5.5% lead for the i5-5287U. These results indicate the i5-5287U excels in bursty, latency-sensitive workloads that Geekbench measures—tasks that benefit from its 3.30 GHz boost clock and the architectural improvements of Broadwell over Haswell. For everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and light productivity, the i5-5287U is the stronger performer, while the i3-4170T is better suited for prolonged compute tasks like video encoding or 3D rendering.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both CPUs have an identical average benchmark score of 1072, and both sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs. Their nearestRivals lists are also identical, including the AMD Athlon X4 880K (1071, +0.1%) and Intel Core i5-2310 (1073, -0.1%).

Q: How much faster is the i3-4170T in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i3-4170T scores 2667, while the i5-5287U scores 2596—a 2.7% advantage for the i3-4170T. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions, with deltas ranging from 2.6% to 2.8%.

Q: Does the i5-5287U have any benchmark wins?

A: Yes, it wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 2007 vs 1945 (a 3.1% lead), and in Geekbench single-core, it scores 1029 vs 972 (a 5.5% lead).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The i5-5287U has a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i3-4170T has 25.6 GB/s. This 4.3 GB/s gap may contribute to the i5-5287U’s Geekbench advantage.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock?

A: The i3-4170T runs at 3.20 GHz base, whereas the i5-5287U has a 2.90 GHz base clock. However, the i5-5287U features a 3.30 GHz boost clock, which the i3-4170T lacks entirely.

Q: Are both CPUs end-of-life products?

A: Yes, both are marked as end-of-life production status. The i5-5287U was released on 2015-02-28, while the i3-4170T followed on 2015-03-29.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is entirely owned by the i3-4170T, and the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-4170T scores 268 against 261 for the i5-5287U, a 2.7% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the i3-4170T posts 1120 vs 1090, widening slightly to a 2.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 2667 vs 2596, again a 2.7% gap. The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story: R20 single-core is 157 vs 153 (2.6%), and R23 single-core is 376 vs 366 (2.7%). The i3-4170T’s victory in single-core Cinebench is notable because the i5-5287U has a higher boost clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.20 GHz fixed), suggesting the i3-4170T’s desktop platform allows more consistent power delivery.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-5287U scores 2007, which is 62 points higher than the i3-4170T’s 1945—a 3.1% advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 1029 vs 972, a 57-point difference that translates to a 5.5% lead for the i5-5287U. This is the largest delta in either direction across all benchmarks. The i5-5287U’s Geekbench wins are likely tied to its 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth (vs 25.6 GB/s) and its newer Broadwell architecture, which improves instruction-level parallelism and memory latency handling. The i3-4170T’s Cinebench wins, conversely, stem from its higher sustained clock and the rendering workload’s reliance on consistent throughput rather than burst performance.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification category. The i3-4170T uses the Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-5287U uses Intel BGA 1168—the former is a desktop socket, the latter is soldered for mobile. Clock speeds differ: the i3-4170T has a 3.20 GHz base clock and no boost, while the i5-5287U has a 2.90 GHz base and a 3.30 GHz boost. TDP is another differentiator: the i3-4170T draws 35W versus the i5-5287U’s 28W, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design intent. The i3-4170T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-5287U is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Memory bandwidth favors the i5-5287U at 29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i3-4170T. The i3-4170T ships with Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, while the i5-5287U features the more capable Intel Iris 6100. The market segments are explicit: Desktop for the i3-4170T, Mobile for the i5-5287U.

Architecture Differences

The i3-4170T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i5-5287U uses the newer Broadwell architecture (Broadwell-U codename) on a 14 nm node, packing 1,900 million transistors into a smaller 133 mm² die. Despite the architectural generation gap, both CPUs have identical core and thread counts (2 cores, 4 threads) and identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The i5-5287U’s 14 nm process allows for higher transistor density (1,900 million in 133 mm² vs 1,400 million in 177 mm²), which contributes to its lower 28W TDP and better power efficiency. The i3-4170T’s larger die and older 22 nm process explain its higher 35W TDP. Both CPUs support dual-channel DDR3 memory, but the i5-5287U’s Broadwell memory controller delivers higher bandwidth (29.9 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s). Neither CPU supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The i5-5287U’s integrated Iris 6100 graphics are a generation ahead of the i3-4170T’s HD 4400, offering better iGPU performance—though this matters less for desktop users who likely have discrete graphics.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: choose the i3-4170T for rendering and sustained multi-threaded workloads, and choose the i5-5287U for general responsiveness and single-threaded burst performance. The i3-4170T wins all five Cinebench tests with margins between 2.6% and 2.8%, making it the superior choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and any task that keeps all cores busy for extended periods. Its 3.20 GHz fixed clock ensures no performance drop-off under sustained load, a critical factor for desktop users who may run long batch jobs. The i5-5287U, meanwhile, wins both Geekbench tests by 3.1% and 5.5% respectively, indicating better performance in everyday tasks like application launching, web browsing, and office productivity. Its 3.30 GHz boost clock and 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth give it the edge in latency-sensitive scenarios.

The i5-5287U also offers a lower TDP (28W vs 35W) and a more advanced 14 nm process, making it the better choice for compact or fanless builds where heat and power are constraints. The i3-4170T counters with a desktop socket (Socket 1150) that allows for upgradeability and aftermarket cooling, while the i5-5287U’s BGA 1168 is permanently soldered. For users who already have a Socket 1150 motherboard, the i3-4170T is the pragmatic drop-in choice. For those building a new small-form-factor system, the i5-5287U’s superior Geekbench scores and lower power draw make it the data-backed pick, despite losing every Cinebench test. The 5.5% single-core Geekbench lead is the largest margin in the entire comparison, and it directly translates to the snappy feel users notice in everyday computing. Both CPUs are end-of-life, but the i5-5287U carries a launch MSRP of $315, which underscores its premium mobile positioning. In aggregate, these are peer processors—identical average scores of 1072—so the decision rests entirely on whether your priority is rendering throughput (i3-4170T) or responsive single-thread performance (i5-5287U).