Intel Core i3-4340 vs Intel Core i7-5650U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5650U and the Intel Core i3-4340 are two very different processors that nonetheless land at nearly the same average performance level. The i7-5650U is a 15-watt mobile chip built for ultrabooks, while the i3-4340 is a 54-watt desktop part from an older generation. The benchmark data shows the desktop i3 winning every single head-to-head test, yet the overall average scores are nearly identical, differing by only 0.1%. This paradox—a mobile chip matching a desktop chip in aggregate—warrants a closer look at where each processor’s strengths and weaknesses actually lie.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5650U has an average benchmark score of 1027, while the Intel Core i3-4340 scores 1026. The difference is a mere 0.1%, making them statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 scores 2983 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-5650U scores 2542. The i3-4340 leads by 14.8% in this test.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-5650U has a TDP of 15 watts, whereas the Intel Core i3-4340 has a TDP of 54 watts. This represents a 39-watt gap, reflecting the i7-5650U’s mobile efficiency focus versus the i3-4340’s desktop power budget.

Q: Do both processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-5650U and the Intel Core i3-4340 feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 achieves a single-core score of 421 in Cinebench R23, while the Intel Core i7-5650U reaches 358. The i3-4340 is 15% ahead in this metric.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-5650U is listed as end-of-life, while the Intel Core i3-4340 has no production status listed in the data.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is stark. The Intel Core i7-5650U is built on the Broadwell architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i3-4340 uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process advantage gives the i7-5650U a smaller die size of 133 mm² compared to the i3-4340’s 177 mm², even though the mobile chip packs more transistors—1,900 million versus 1,400 million. The transistor density difference is a direct result of the newer manufacturing process.

The memory subsystems differ as well. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory, but the i7-5650U specifies a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i3-4340’s bandwidth is not listed. The PCIe capabilities also diverge: the i7-5650U offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i3-4340 provides Gen 3 connectivity with no lane count specified. This means the desktop chip has access to a newer, faster interconnect standard.

Integrated graphics represent another major split. The i7-5650U carries Intel HD 6000, while the i3-4340 includes Intel HD 4600. The mobile chip’s newer graphics architecture is a notable advantage for tasks that rely on the iGPU. The socket types are entirely incompatible: the i7-5650U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered mobile package, while the i3-4340 uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop LGA socket. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case rather than raw performance. For anyone building or upgrading a desktop system, the Intel Core i3-4340 is the obvious choice—it wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the pack, with margins ranging from 14.7% to 15% across Cinebench tests. The i3-4340’s higher base clock of 3.60 GHz, compared to the i7-5650U’s 2.20 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, explains its consistent lead in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

However, for mobile users, the Intel Core i7-5650U is the only realistic option given its BGA 1168 socket and 15-watt TDP. The 54-watt TDP of the i3-4340 would be impractical in a laptop form factor. The i7-5650U also compensates for its performance deficit with a newer 14 nm process, more transistors, and a better integrated GPU (HD 6000 vs HD 4600). The near-identical average scores—1027 versus 1026—suggest that in aggregate, the mobile chip’s efficiency and architectural advantages nearly offset its clock speed disadvantage.

The verdict hinges on platform: desktop users get measurably better performance from the i3-4340, while the i7-5650U is the superior choice for those who need a low-power, integrated solution in a mobile chassis. The i3-4340’s lack of a boost clock is irrelevant given its high base frequency, but its older 22 nm node and larger die make it less efficient per watt.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key differences between the two processors. The Intel Core i7-5650U has a base clock of 2.20 GHz with a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-4340 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and no boost clock. The TDP gap is substantial: 15 watts for the mobile chip versus 54 watts for the desktop part. The sockets are incompatible—Intel BGA 1168 for the i7-5650U and Intel Socket 1150 for the i3-4340.

The manufacturing process differs by node generation: 14 nm for Broadwell versus 22 nm for Haswell. The i7-5650U has a smaller die (133 mm²) but more transistors (1,900 million), while the i3-4340 has a larger die (177 mm²) with fewer transistors (1,400 million). The memory bandwidth is specified only for the i7-5650U at 29.9 GB/s, while the i3-4340 lists no bandwidth figure. PCIe support differs: Gen 2 with 12 lanes for the mobile chip, Gen 3 for the desktop chip.

The integrated graphics are different models—Intel HD 6000 for the i7-5650U versus Intel HD 4600 for the i3-4340. The market segments are also distinct: mobile for the i7-5650U and desktop for the i3-4340. The release dates are separated by roughly 18 months, with the i7-5650U launching in 2015-02-28 and the i3-4340 in 2013-08-31. The i7-5650U carries a launch MSRP of $426, while the i3-4340 has no launch MSRP listed. The part numbers are SR267 for the i7-5650U and SR1NL for the i3-4340.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided, with the Intel Core i3-4340 winning all five benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 300 against the i7-5650U’s 256, a delta of -14.7% for the mobile chip. The margin expands slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i3-4340 posts 1252 versus 1067, a 14.8% lead. The single-core R20 test shows the same 14.8% gap, with scores of 176 and 150 respectively.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce the pattern. In multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 2983 against 2542 for the i7-5650U, again a 14.8% difference. The single-core R23 test shows the largest margin at 15%, with the i3-4340 achieving 421 and the i7-5650U reaching 358. The consistency of these deltas—hovering between 14.7% and 15%—suggests a fixed performance differential tied to clock speed rather than workload-specific advantages.

Interestingly, the i7-5650U has two additional benchmarks not present for the i3-4340: Geekbench multi-core (1854) and single-core (960). These scores cannot be directly compared, but they contribute to the i7-5650U’s slightly higher average benchmark score of 1027. The i3-4340’s average of 1026 is nearly identical, meaning the Geekbench results help the mobile chip close the aggregate gap despite losing every Cinebench test.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4340 wins decisively in all measured Cinebench workloads. Its 15% single-core advantage in R23 and 14.8% multi-core advantage in R20 make it the clear choice for CPU-bound desktop tasks. The higher base clock of 3.60 GHz gives it a persistent edge in both lightly threaded and fully threaded applications. This makes it the better pick for users who prioritize raw compute performance without power constraints.

The Intel Core i7-5650U, despite losing all head-to-head tests, wins in the aggregate due to its Geekbench scores and superior efficiency profile. Its 15-watt TDP is less than a third of the i3-4340’s 54 watts, which is critical for mobile deployments. The 14 nm process and 1,900 million transistors in a smaller die indicate a more modern design that delivers comparable average performance while consuming far less power. The Intel HD 6000 graphics also represent a generation upgrade over the HD 4600, giving the mobile chip an edge in integrated graphics workloads.

The i7-5650U also wins in portability and platform flexibility. Its BGA 1168 socket is designed for thin-and-light laptops, while the i3-4340 requires a desktop motherboard with Socket 1150. The i7-5650U’s boost clock of 3.20 GHz provides dynamic performance scaling when needed, whereas the i3-4340 relies solely on its static 3.60 GHz clock. For users who need a capable processor in a mobile form factor with modern power management, the i7-5650U is the logical winner despite its benchmark deficits.