CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-4350
Core i3-4360
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i3-4350 vs Intel Core i3-4360
The Intel Core i3-4360 and Intel Core i3-4350 are near-identical Haswell dual-core processors, distinguished primarily by a 100 MHz clock speed difference. Benchmark data shows the i3-4360 winning all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, though by margins of only 0.2–0.3% in most cases. The i3-4350, while slightly slower, shares the same architecture, cache layout, and 54-watt TDP, placing both chips in the 29th percentile of all CPUs tested.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?
A: The Intel Core i3-4360 wins every multi-core test in the head-to-head data. It scores 310 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 309 for the i3-4350, 1294 versus 1291 in R20 multi-core, and 3082 versus 3076 in R23 multi-core. The largest delta is just 0.3%.
Q: Is there any single-core performance difference?
A: The i3-4360 wins the single-core tests by a razor-thin margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both chips score 182, resulting in a 0% delta. In R23 single-core, the i3-4360 scores 435 against 434 for the i3-4350, a 0.2% advantage.
Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?
A: The i3-4360 has an average benchmark score of 1061, tying the AMD Opteron 4376 HE at 0% delta and sitting 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-4570TE. The i3-4350 scores 1058, matching the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U exactly and running 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2760QM.
Q: Do both processors use the same socket and memory?
A: Yes. Both use the Intel Socket 1150 and support dual-channel DDR3 memory. Neither supports ECC memory, and both run on PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The integrated graphics are also identical: Intel HD 4600.
Q: What is the process node and die size?
A: Both chips are built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm². The architecture and codename are both Haswell.
Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?
A: No. Both have a locked multiplier, as indicated by the `multiplierUnlocked` field being false. Their base clocks are 3.70 GHz for the i3-4360 and 3.60 GHz for the i3-4350, with no boost clock available.
Architecture Differences
The two processors are architecturally identical in nearly every respect. Both are built on the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. The transistor count is exactly 1,400 million, and the die size is 177 mm² for both. Each CPU features 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, and the cache hierarchy is unchanged: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.
The power envelope is also the same, with both processors rated at 54 watts TDP. Memory support is limited to dual-channel DDR3, and neither chip supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both. The integrated graphics solution is the Intel HD 4600 in both cases, and the market segment is desktop for each.
The only architectural difference is the base clock. The i3-4360 runs at 3.70 GHz, while the i3-4350 runs at 3.60 GHz. This 100 MHz gap is the sole distinguishing feature between the two silicon designs. Both chips were released on the same date, 2014-04-30, and neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data. Both are locked multipliers, preventing manual overclocking.
Given the identical cache sizes, thread counts, and process node, any performance delta between these processors must be attributed entirely to the clock speed difference. The 22 nm Haswell design appears to scale predictably with frequency, as the benchmark results show a consistent but tiny advantage for the higher-clocked i3-4360.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data provides five Cinebench comparisons, and the Intel Core i3-4360 wins all five. The margins are extraordinarily narrow, reflecting the minimal clock speed gap. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4360 scores 310 against 309 for the i3-4350, a delta of 0.3%. This is the largest percentage difference in the entire set.
Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-4360 scores 1294 versus 1291 for the i3-4350, a 0.2% advantage. The R23 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 3082 for the i3-4360 and 3076 for the i3-4350, again a 0.2% delta. These multi-core results suggest that the extra 100 MHz provides a measurable but marginal throughput benefit.
Single-core performance is even closer. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both chips score exactly 182, resulting in a 0% delta and no winner. The R23 single-core test gives the i3-4360 a 435 score versus 434 for the i3-4350, a 0.2% margin. The average benchmark score reflects this overall trend: the i3-4360 sits at 1061, while the i3-4350 sits at 1058.
The nearest rival data places these chips in context. The i3-4360's 1061 average score ties the AMD Opteron 4376 HE exactly, and it is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-4570TE's 1062. The AMD FX-8320E trails at 1059, a 0.2% gap. For the i3-4350, the 1058 average matches the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, and it edges out the Intel Core i7-2760QM's 1057 by 0.1%. Both chips also beat the Intel Pentium G4600's 1056 by 0.2%.
Specification Differences
The specification tables for these two processors are nearly identical, with only one field differing between them. The base clock is the sole distinguishing specification: the Intel Core i3-4360 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-4350 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz. Both chips have no boost clock listed.
All other specifications match exactly. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, a 54-watt TDP, and use the Intel Socket 1150. The architecture, codename, and generation are all listed as Haswell for both. The process node is 22 nm, the foundry is Intel, and both use 1,400 million transistors with a 177 mm² die size.
Cache configuration is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is dual-channel DDR3 for both, with no ECC capability. PCIe is Gen 3 on both chips. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 for each processor. The market segment is Desktop for both, and the release date is 2014-04-30 for both. Neither chip has a launch MSRP, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.
The production status is null for both, and no part numbers are listed. The percentile versus all CPUs is 29 for both processors, and the average benchmark score differs by only 3 points: 1061 for the i3-4360 versus 1058 for the i3-4350. The wins tally in the head-to-head benchmarks is 5 for the i3-4360 and 0 for the i3-4350.
The Verdict
The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i3-4360 is the faster processor, winning all five head-to-head benchmarks against the i3-4350. However, the margins are exceptionally small, ranging from 0% in R20 single-core to 0.3% in R15 multi-core. The average benchmark score difference is just 3 points out of roughly 1060, a 0.3% gap.
For users seeking the absolute maximum performance from this Haswell dual-core platform, the i3-4360 is the correct choice. Its 3.70 GHz base clock delivers a consistent, if tiny, advantage across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The 54-watt TDP remains identical to the i3-4350, meaning there is no power consumption penalty for the higher clock speed.
However, the i3-4350 is not a significantly worse option. Its 3.60 GHz base clock trails by only 100 MHz, and the benchmark deltas are within noise-level territory for most real-world applications. The identical 22 nm architecture, 4 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel DDR3 support mean that the i3-4350 will behave nearly identically in everyday tasks.
The nearest rival data shows both chips occupying the same performance tier. The i3-4360 ties the AMD Opteron 4376 HE and sits within 0.2% of the AMD FX-8320E. The i3-4350 matches the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U and is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2760QM. Neither processor moves the needle in terms of overall percentile ranking, with both sitting at the 29th percentile of all CPUs.
Given the data, the i3-4360 is the pick for those who want the best available performance in this specific pair. The i3-4350 remains a valid alternative where the 100 MHz clock difference is acceptable. The 0.2–0.3% benchmark deltas suggest that real-world differences will be imperceptible in most workloads, but the i3-4360's 5-0 head-to-head sweep is unambiguous in the benchmark data.