Intel Core i3-4350T vs Intel Core i7-870 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-870 and Intel Core i3-4350T are two end-of-life desktop processors separated by five years of architecture evolution, yet their benchmark results are remarkably close. The data shows a statistical tie across the board, with the older i7-870 winning all five head-to-head comparisons by margins of 0.2% or less. The i7-870 achieves an average benchmark score of 928, while the i3-4350T sits at 926, placing both in the 25th percentile of all CPUs tracked. This near-identical performance despite vastly different specifications makes for a fascinating comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a picture of near-perfect parity, with the i7-870 edging ahead in every single test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both processors score exactly 271 points, resulting in a 0% delta and a nominal win for the i7-870. The multi-core Cinebench R20 test shows the i7-870 at 1132 points against 1130 for the i3-4350T, a 0.2% advantage. The single-core results are equally tight: both chips score 159 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 380 in Cinebench R23 single-core, with the i7-870 again credited with the win at 0% delta. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-870 scores 2697 versus 2692 for the i3-4350T — still just 0.2% apart.

These margins are so slim that they fall well within normal run-to-run variance. The i7-870's 4-core/8-thread configuration should theoretically dominate in multi-threaded workloads, but the i3-4350T's newer Haswell architecture and higher 3.10 GHz base clock (versus 2.93 GHz) compensate for its 2-core/4-thread limitation. The average benchmark scores confirm the equivalence: the i7-870's 928 average is only 0.2% above the i3-4350T's 926, and the nearest rival lists show both chips exchanging places within a 1% band. The i7-870 is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4288U (927), while the i3-4350T is 0.1% behind that same chip and 0.5% ahead of the AMD FX-4320 (921).

Interpreting these numbers, the practical conclusion is that neither processor offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in Cinebench workloads. The i7-870 technically wins all five comparisons, but a 0.2% delta is negligible for real-world applications. Users upgrading from one to the other would see no measurable difference in rendering or compute tasks. The data suggests that architectural efficiency can fully offset a 2x core-count disadvantage when the newer design also has a 0.17 GHz clock advantage.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-870 wins all multi-core tests, but by razor-thin margins. It scores 1132 in Cinebench R20 multi-core versus 1130 for the i3-4350T (0.2% delta) and 2697 versus 2692 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (0.2% delta). In Cinebench R15 multi-core, both score exactly 271.

Q: Is the i3-4350T better in single-core performance?

A: No. The two processors are perfectly tied in single-core tests. Both score 159 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 380 in Cinebench R23 single-core, with the i7-870 credited as the winner at 0% delta in both cases.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i7-870's average score of 928 places it 0.1% above the Intel Core i5-4288U (927) and 0.4% above the Intel Celeron G6900TE (925). The i3-4350T's 926 average puts it 0.2% above the Celeron G6900TE and 0.5% above the AMD FX-4320 (921), while trailing the i5-4288U by 0.1%.

Q: What is the release date difference between these two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 was released on 2009-09-07, while the Intel Core i3-4350T came out on 2014-05-10. The i3-4350T is nearly five years newer.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the i7-870 and i3-4350T have ECC memory support listed as false. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-870 has an average benchmark score of 928, which is 0.2% higher than the i3-4350T's 926. Both CPUs sit in the 25th percentile of all CPUs tracked.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting five years of Intel design evolution. The i7-870 uses the Nehalem architecture on the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The i3-4350T uses the Haswell architecture (same codename), built on a 22 nm process node, also at Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a much smaller 177 mm² die. The newer process allows nearly double the transistor count in 40% less silicon area.

Core and thread counts differ significantly: the i7-870 offers 4 cores and 8 threads with Hyper-Threading, while the i3-4350T provides 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7-870 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz with a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, whereas the i3-4350T runs at a fixed 3.10 GHz with no boost capability. Cache hierarchies also diverge: both share 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-870 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 4 MB on the i3-4350T. The i7-870's larger cache partially compensates for its older architecture.

Memory and I/O features show a generational split. Both support dual-channel DDR3, but the i3-4350T specifies 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth while the i7-870 leaves this figure unlisted. PCIe support advances from Gen 2 with 16 lanes on the i7-870 to Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the i3-4350T. The i3-4350T also includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i7-870 has no integrated graphics listed. Sockets differ as expected: the i7-870 uses Intel Socket 1156, the i3-4350T uses Intel Socket 1150. The i7-870 has a 95W TDP, while the i3-4350T draws just 35W — a 60W difference that reflects both the newer process and reduced core count.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: performance is essentially identical, so the choice comes down to platform features and power characteristics. The Intel Core i7-870 technically wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, but the largest margin is 0.2%, which is meaningless in practice. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide theoretical multi-threading headroom, yet the newer Haswell architecture of the i3-4350T neutralizes that advantage entirely in Cinebench tests. The i7-870's 8 MB L3 cache and boost clock to 3.60 GHz do not translate into measurable gains.

For users prioritizing power efficiency, the i3-4350T is the clear winner on paper. Its 35W TDP versus 95W for the i7-870 represents a 63% reduction in thermal design power. The i3-4350T also brings modern connectivity with PCIe Gen 3 and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU in basic systems. Its 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is explicitly documented, whereas the i7-870's figure is absent from the data.

For users who already own an Intel Socket 1156 platform or need the higher core count for legacy multithreaded applications, the i7-870 remains viable. Its 8 threads could handle older workloads that scale with core count, and its 3.60 GHz boost clock gives it a peak frequency advantage. However, the benchmark data shows no scenario where this translates into a real win. The i3-4350T's launch MSRP of $138 also makes it the more accessible option for new builds, though pricing should not be the deciding factor given the performance parity.

The final recommendation hinges on platform needs. If the requirement is a low-power, modern-featured desktop CPU with integrated graphics, the i3-4350T is the logical pick. If the requirement is maximum multi-threaded capability on an older socket, the i7-870 offers the same performance with more cores and a higher TDP. Neither chip will disappoint in terms of raw Cinebench scores, as both deliver identical single-core results and multi-core results within 0.2% of each other.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i7-870 | Intel Core i3-4350T |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95W | 35W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Haswell |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Haswell |

| Generation | Core i7 (Lynnfield) | Core i3 (Haswell) |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 774 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Release Date | 2009-09-07 | 2014-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $138 |

| Part Number | SLBJG | SR1JUSR1PA |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 928 | 926 |