CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-4330
Core i3-4340
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i3-4330 vs Intel Core i3-4340
The Intel Core i3-4340 and Intel Core i3-4330 are two nearly identical Haswell-based desktop processors, distinguished primarily by a 100 MHz clock speed advantage for the former. Both chips feature 2 cores and 4 threads, share the same 54 W TDP, and are built on Intel's 22 nm process. Benchmark data from Cinebench shows the i3-4340 winning all five head-to-head tests, but the margins are extremely tight, ranging from 0.6% to 0.7%. The average benchmark scores place them within 0.6% of each other (1026 vs 1020), and both sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers in the modern landscape.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i3-4340 is the clear winner across every benchmark recorded in the data, though the victories are marginal. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 0.6% to 0.7% depending on the Cinebench version. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 2983 against the i3-4330's 2966, a 0.6% advantage. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 1252 versus 1245, again a 0.6% gap. These differences are consistent with the 100 MHz base clock advantage, which translates into a small but measurable performance edge in threaded applications like video rendering or 3D modeling.
In single-core tests, the i3-4340 also prevails, but by equally slim margins. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 421 versus 418 (0.7% delta), while Cinebench R20 single-core shows 176 versus 175 (0.6% delta). For everyday tasks that rely on single-threaded performance, such as web browsing or office productivity, the i3-4340 offers a negligible but present improvement. The data shows a 0.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core as well (300 vs 298), confirming that the advantage holds across all tested workloads.
The Intel Core i3-4330, conversely, does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its role is that of a slightly slower sibling, offering identical architecture and features at a lower clock speed. In practical terms, the difference is almost imperceptible; the i3-4330's average benchmark score of 1020 is just 0.6% behind the i3-4340's 1026. For users who already own an i3-4330, the upgrade path to the i3-4340 would yield no meaningful real-world benefit. The i3-4330 still holds its own against rivals, sitting within 0.3% of the Intel Core i3-4160 and 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Intel Core i3-4340 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2983 versus the i3-4330's 2966, a 0.6% advantage. The gap is similar in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1252 vs 1245) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (300 vs 298).
Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?
A: The i3-4340 has an average benchmark score of 1026, placing it 0.1% ahead of the Intel Processor N150 and 0.2% ahead of the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T. The i3-4330 scores 1020, which is 0.2% behind the Intel Pentium Gold G5600 and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i3-4160.
Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?
A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-4340 and Intel Core i3-4330 feature the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics solution. This makes them suitable for basic display output without a dedicated graphics card.
Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?
A: The i3-4340 leads in single-core tests by 0.6% to 0.7%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 421 versus 418, and in Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 176 versus 175.
Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The multiplierUnlocked field is false for both the i3-4340 and the i3-4330, meaning their clock speeds are fixed by Intel.
Q: What memory do they support?
A: Both processors support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. They do not support ECC memory, and both use a PCIe Gen 3 interface.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a consistent, if narrow, pattern of superiority for the Intel Core i3-4340. The largest margin is a 0.7% delta in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i3-4340 posts 300 points against the i3-4330's 298. This is the oldest test in the suite, and the absolute difference of 2 points is within the range of run-to-run variance, but the result still favors the higher-clocked part.
In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 1252, while the i3-4330 scores 1245, yielding a 0.6% delta. The absolute gap is 7 points. Moving to Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 2983, and the i3-4330 scores 2966, again a 0.6% delta with a 17-point absolute difference. These results show that as the workload scales, the i3-4340 maintains its relative advantage without any sign of thermal or power throttling, thanks to the identical 54 W TDP.
Single-core benchmarks follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-4340 scores 176 versus 175, a 0.6% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the scores are 421 and 418, respectively, a 0.7% delta. The consistency of the 0.6% to 0.7% range across all tests suggests that the 100 MHz clock difference is the sole driver of the performance gap. There is no evidence of architectural or cache-related advantages, as both chips share the same 4 MB L3 cache and per-core L1 and L2 caches.
The overall win count is 5 for the i3-4340 and 0 for the i3-4330. However, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The i3-4340's average is 1026, while the i3-4330's is 1020, a difference of just 0.6%. This means that in a broader set of applications beyond Cinebench, the two processors would be virtually indistinguishable in performance. The i3-4340's wins are real but statistically minor.
Specification Differences
The only specification that differs between the two processors is the base clock speed. The Intel Core i3-4340 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-4330 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz. This 100 MHz difference is the root cause of all performance deltas observed in the benchmarks.
All other specifications are identical. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, a 54 W TDP, and use the Intel Socket 1150. They share the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither processor has a boost clock, so the base clock is the maximum sustained frequency.
The part numbers differ (SR1NL for the i3-4340 and SR1NM for the i3-4330), but this is a minor manufacturing identifier. The release date is the same for both: 2013-08-31. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed in the data. Both are desktop market segments, and both lack ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier.
Architecture Differences
Architecturally, the Intel Core i3-4340 and Intel Core i3-4330 are identical. Both are built on the Haswell architecture, also known by the codename "Haswell," and belong to the Core i3 (Haswell) generation. They use the same 22 nm process node, fabricated by Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.
The integrated graphics are the same: Intel HD 4600. Memory support is limited to DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC capability. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both. Neither processor has a 3D V-Cache, and the total L3 cache is 4 MB shared.
Given that the architecture, process node, transistor count, and die size are all identical, the only differentiating factor is the clock speed. The i3-4340 is essentially a higher-binned version of the i3-4330, capable of operating at 3.60 GHz instead of 3.50 GHz within the same 54 W TDP envelope. This is a classic example of a manufacturer offering two SKUs from the same silicon, where the premium part gets a slight clock bump for a small performance gain. In this case, the gain is a consistent 0.6% to 0.7% across all Cinebench tests, making the i3-4340 the marginally better choice for users who prioritize every last bit of throughput.