Intel Core i3-4330 vs Intel Core i5-4300M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear and consistent pattern across all five shared benchmark tests: the Intel Core i3-4330 wins every single head-to-head matchup. The Intel Core i5-4300M, despite its mobile positioning and higher model number, trails in each Cinebench workload by a nearly uniform margin.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-4330 scores 298 against the i5-4300M's 253, a delta of -15.1% for the mobile chip. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i3-4330 posts 1245 versus 1056, a -15.2% difference. The single-core results tell the same story: the i3-4330 leads with 175 in Cinebench R20 single-core against 149, and 418 versus 355 in Cinebench R23 single-core, both at approximately -15.1% and -14.9% respectively. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the i3-4330 at 2966 against 2515, again a -15.2% delta.

The consistency of these deltas is noteworthy. Every workload, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, shows the i3-4330 ahead by roughly 15%. This is not a case where one chip excels in specific scenarios; the performance gap is uniform across the board. The i5-4300M's boost clock of 3.60 GHz does not translate into a win in any recorded test, and the i3-4330's fixed 3.50 GHz clock appears to deliver superior sustained results in the database's measurements.

The average benchmark score reinforces this narrative. The i3-4330 has an average score of 1020 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i5-4300M averages 1004. This places the i3-4330 in the 28th percentile of all CPUs, slightly ahead of the i5-4300M's 27th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip also highlight the positioning: the i5-4300M sits alongside the Intel Core i5-2500S (delta 0%), the Core i7-5600U (-0.1%), the Core i7-2630QM (-0.1%), and the AMD FX-9830P (-0.2%). The i3-4330, meanwhile, sits near the Pentium Gold G5600 (-0.2%), the Core i3-4160 (0.3%), the Core i7-975 (-0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U (-0.3%). These rival clusters show that while both chips occupy a similar performance tier, the i3-4330 sits at the higher end of that tier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-4330 is the faster processor in every measured workload. The i3-4330 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with the i5-4300M recording zero wins. If the decision rests purely on recorded performance, the i3-4330 is the clear choice.

That said, the context matters. The i5-4300M is a mobile processor, designed for laptops and portable systems, while the i3-4330 is a desktop part. The i5-4300M's 37 W TDP is substantially lower than the i3-4330's 54 W TDP, which makes sense for a mobile chip. The i5-4300M also uses the Intel Socket G3, whereas the i3-4330 uses the Intel Socket 1150. These are not directly interchangeable platforms, so the choice between them is often dictated by the system form factor rather than raw performance.

For a desktop user selecting between these two, the data shows the i3-4330 delivers roughly 15% better performance across all Cinebench workloads. For a mobile user, the i5-4300M offers lower power consumption and a mobile socket, albeit with a measurable performance deficit. The database's percentile rankings (28th for the i3-4330 versus 27th for the i5-4300M) reflect only a modest overall gap, but the head-to-head deltas are consistent and meaningful.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Haswell architecture and codename, and both are built on the same 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. Both chips have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. Both also use DDR3 memory and do not support ECC memory.

The differences begin with the cache hierarchy. The i5-4300M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4330 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This additional 1 MB of L3 cache in the i3-4330 likely contributes to its consistent performance advantage, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger on-chip caching.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4300M features Intel HD 5000, while the i3-4330 features Intel HD 4600. This is a notable divergence, as the mobile chip carries the higher-tier integrated graphics solution, which may be relevant for users who rely on the iGPU for display output or light graphics tasks.

The die sizes are also different. The i5-4300M has a die size of 118 mm², while the i3-4330 has a die size of 177 mm². Both chips have the same transistor count of 1,400 million, so the larger die in the i3-4330 suggests a different physical layout, possibly accommodating the larger L3 cache and the desktop-focused integrated graphics.

The market segments differ by design: the i5-4300M is a mobile part, and the i3-4330 is a desktop part. This is reflected in the sockets (G3 versus 1150) and the TDP (37 W versus 54 W). The i3-4330 also supports PCIe Gen 3, while the PCIe specification is not listed for the i5-4300M. The i3-4330 has a listed memory bus of dual-channel, whereas the i5-4300M's memory bus is not specified in the database.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: The i5-4300M runs at 2.60 GHz, while the i3-4330 runs at 3.50 GHz. This is a 0.9 GHz advantage for the desktop chip.
• Boost Clock: The i5-4300M has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz; the i3-4330 has no boost clock listed, meaning it operates at its fixed base clock.
• TDP: The i5-4300M is rated at 37 W, versus 54 W for the i3-4330. The mobile chip draws less power.
• Socket: The i5-4300M uses Intel Socket G3, while the i3-4330 uses Intel Socket 1150.
• L3 Cache: The i5-4300M has 3 MB shared, the i3-4330 has 4 MB shared.
• Die Size: The i5-4300M measures 118 mm², the i3-4330 measures 177 mm².
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-4300M has Intel HD 5000, the i3-4330 has Intel HD 4600.
• Memory Bus: The i3-4330 lists dual-channel memory support; the i5-4300M does not list a memory bus configuration.
• PCIe: The i3-4330 supports PCIe Gen 3; no PCIe specification is recorded for the i5-4300M.
• Market Segment: The i5-4300M is a mobile processor, the i3-4330 is a desktop processor.
• Part Number: The i3-4330 has the part number SR1NM; no part number is listed for the i5-4300M.

Both chips share the same 2-core, 4-thread configuration, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, DDR3 memory support, and non-ECC memory capability. Both were released on the same date, 2013-08-31, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330 is faster in every recorded multi-core test. It scores 298 versus 253 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 1245 versus 1056 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 2966 versus 2515 in Cinebench R23 multicore.

Q: How big is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The i3-4330 leads by approximately 15% in single-core workloads. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 175 versus 149, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 418 versus 355.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4300M and the Intel Core i3-4330 have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i3-4330 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-4300M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The i5-4300M uses Intel Socket G3, which is a mobile socket, while the i3-4330 uses Intel Socket 1150, which is a desktop socket.

Q: Does the i5-4300M have a boost clock, and does the i3-4330 have one?

A: The i5-4300M has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i3-4330 has no boost clock listed. The i3-4330 operates at its fixed base clock of 3.50 GHz.

Q: Which chip has a lower TDP?

A: The i5-4300M has a TDP of 37 W, which is lower than the i3-4330's 54 W. This reflects the mobile design of the i5-4300M.