Intel Core i3-4350 vs Intel Core i5-2310 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a remarkably consistent pattern across all five Cinebench comparisons: the Intel Core i5-2310 wins every single head-to-head matchup, though by narrow margins. The largest advantage appears in cinebench_r15_multicore, where the i5-2310 scores 314 against the i3-4350's 309, a delta of -1.6 percent. This is the widest gap in the entire dataset, yet it remains a slender lead.

The multicore tests in newer Cinebench versions tell a similar story. In cinebench_r20_multicore, the i5-2310 posts 1309 versus 1291 for the i3-4350, a -1.4 percent difference. The cinebench_r23_multicore run shows 3118 against 3076, also -1.3 percent. What is curious here is that the i5-2310 has four physical cores while the i3-4350 has only two cores with four threads, yet the older Sandy Bridge chip only manages a single-digit percentage lead. The Hyper-Threading technology on the i3-4350 appears to narrow the gap substantially.

Single-core results follow the same trend. In cinebench_r20_singlecore, the i5-2310 edges ahead with 184 versus 182, a -1.1 percent delta. The cinebench_r23_singlecore test shows 440 versus 434, translating to -1.4 percent. These margins are almost negligible in practical terms, suggesting that the higher base clock of the i3-4350 (3.60 GHz) nearly compensates for the architectural generation gap, even though the i5-2310 can boost to 3.20 GHz.

The aggregate benchmark score reinforces this tight competition. The i5-2310 averages 1073 across all recorded tests, while the i3-4350 averages 1058. That difference of 15 points places the i5-2310 in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i3-4350's 29th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i3-4350 include the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U at an identical 1058 average score (0 percent delta) and the Intel Core i7-2760QM at 1057 (0.1 percent ahead of the i3). For the i5-2310, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-4170T at 1072 (0.1 percent behind) and the Pentium Gold G6505 at 1074 (0.1 percent ahead). These rival clusters show both chips are firmly entrenched in the same performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-2310 wins all five head-to-head tests, including every multicore and singlecore Cinebench run. The i3-4350 records zero wins in this comparison.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multicore workloads?

A: The largest multicore gap is -1.6 percent in cinebench_r15_multicore (314 versus 309). The newer cinebench_r20_multicore shows -1.4 percent (1309 versus 1291), and cinebench_r23_multicore shows -1.3 percent (3118 versus 3076).

Q: Is there a meaningful difference in single-core performance?

A: Single-core results are extremely close. The i5-2310 leads by -1.1 percent in cinebench_r20_singlecore (184 versus 182) and -1.4 percent in cinebench_r23_singlecore (440 versus 434). These differences are within a few points.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-2310 has an average benchmark score of 1073, while the i3-4350 averages 1058. This places the i5 at the 30th percentile of all CPUs and the i3 at the 29th percentile.

Q: What are the closest rival chips for each processor?

A: For the i3-4350, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U with an identical 1058 average score (0 percent delta). For the i5-2310, the Intel Core i3-4170T sits at 1072, just 0.1 percent behind.

Q: Does the i3-4350's higher clock speed compensate for fewer cores?

A: The i3-4350 runs at 3.60 GHz base with no boost, while the i5-2310 runs at 2.90 GHz base and boosts to 3.20 GHz. Despite the i3's higher base clock, the i5 still wins every test, though by margins of 1.1 to 1.6 percent.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i3-4350 uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors packed into a 177 mm² die. The i5-2310 relies on the older Sandy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The newer process node gives the i3-4350 a density advantage, fitting more transistors into a smaller area.

Core configurations differ fundamentally. The i3-4350 offers 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to present four logical processors. The i5-2310 provides 4 physical cores with 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading. This means the i5 has dedicated physical cores for each thread, while the i3 shares execution resources between pairs of threads.

Cache hierarchies show a trade-off. The i3-4350 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, matching the i5-2310's per-core allocations. However, the i5-2310 carries a larger shared L3 cache of 6 MB, versus 4 MB on the i3-4350. The extra 2 MB of L3 could benefit workloads with larger working sets, though benchmark results suggest the impact is modest.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4350 includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2310 ships with Intel HD 2000. The newer HD 4600 represents a later graphics architecture, but the database does not record any graphics benchmark comparisons. PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 for both, with the i5-2310 specifying 16 lanes for the CPU. The i3-4350 simply lists "Gen 3" without lane details. Memory support is identical: DDR3 with dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is core count: the i3-4350 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-2310 has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds also diverge sharply. The i3-4350 runs at a fixed 3.60 GHz with no boost clock, whereas the i5-2310 starts at 2.90 GHz and boosts up to 3.20 GHz. Despite the i3's higher sustained clock, the i5's four physical cores win in every recorded test.

Thermal design power differs by 41 watts. The i3-4350 draws 54 W TDP, while the i5-2310 is rated at 95 W TDP. This makes the i3 significantly more power-efficient, though the database provides no wattage measurements for actual workloads. Sockets are incompatible: the i3-4350 uses Intel Socket 1150, and the i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155. They cannot be swapped into the same motherboard.

Process technology separates them: 22 nm for the i3-4350 versus 32 nm for the i5-2310. Transistor counts follow, with the i3 at 1,400 million and the i5 at 1,160 million. Die size is smaller on the i3 (177 mm²) than the i5 (216 mm²). The i3-4350 belongs to the Haswell generation, while the i5-2310 is a Sandy Bridge part. Release dates differ by roughly three years: the i3-4350 launched in 2014, the i5-2310 in 2011. The i5-2310 carries the part number SR02K and is marked as end-of-life, while the i3-4350 has no production status recorded. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported through that path.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2310 wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database, but the nature of those wins matters for real-world use. In multicore workloads, the i5's four physical cores provide a consistent, if small, edge. Renders and encoding tasks that scale across cores will favor the i5, though the margin is only 1.3 to 1.6 percent. That is a narrow advantage, not a generational leap.

Single-core performance is nearly identical. The i5-2310 leads by 1.1 to 1.4 percent in the two single-core tests. Applications that depend on single-thread speed, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, will see essentially no difference between these two chips. The i3-4350's higher 3.60 GHz clock nearly neutralizes the architectural advantage of Sandy Bridge's per-core efficiency.

The i3-4350 does have advantages that are not captured in Cinebench scores. Its 54 W TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the 95 W i5-2310, which could matter for compact builds or systems with limited cooling. The newer Haswell architecture includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, which likely offers better integrated graphics performance than the i5-2310's Intel HD 2000, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded. The smaller 22 nm process and denser transistor layout suggest better thermal characteristics per watt.

For socket-specific considerations, the i3-4350 fits Intel Socket 1150 boards, which are newer and may offer additional features. The i5-2310 requires Socket 1155, an older platform that is end-of-life. Anyone building from spare parts will need to match the correct motherboard.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but modest winner: the Intel Core i5-2310 outperforms the Intel Core i3-4350 in every recorded Cinebench test. The margins range from 1.1 percent to 1.6 percent, which translates to a few points in each benchmark. The average benchmark score of 1073 versus 1058 reinforces this, as does the 30th versus 29th percentile ranking among all CPUs.

However, the practical significance of this victory is limited. A 1.1 to 1.6 percent lead is unlikely to be perceptible in everyday use. The i5-2310's four physical cores give it a structural advantage in multicore workloads, but the i3-4350's higher clock speed and Hyper-Threading keep it within striking distance. For users who already own a Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-2310 is the better performer. For those starting fresh with Socket 1150, the i3-4350 offers nearly equivalent performance with substantially lower power consumption and a newer integrated GPU.

The i3-4350 wins on efficiency and platform modernity, while the i5-2310 wins on raw benchmark scores. Neither chip dominates the other in a way that would force a clear recommendation. The choice should hinge on which socket the user already owns and whether power draw or raw compute matters more. Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the i5-2310 is the faster processor, but not by enough to make the i3-4350 a poor alternative.