CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-6300 is the clear performance winner over the Intel Core i3-4370T, taking all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The data shows a consistent performance gap of roughly 15.5% across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, driven by a higher base clock and a newer architecture. The i3-4370T, however, remains a viable low-power option with a 35W TDP, but it trails in every measurable benchmark category.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-6300 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-4370T operates at 3.30 GHz. This 0.50 GHz difference contributes directly to the i3-6300's performance lead in all benchmark tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core performance?

A: The i3-6300 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3380 versus the i3-4370T's 2856, a 15.5% advantage. Similar margins are seen in Cinebench R20 (1419 vs 1199) and Cinebench R15 (340 vs 287).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest consistent delta is 15.6%, seen in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. All other head-to-head benchmarks show a 15.5% difference, indicating a uniform performance advantage for the i3-6300 across all workloads.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread configuration?

A: Yes, both the i3-4370T and i3-6300 feature 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite this identical layout, the i3-6300 still achieves significantly higher scores due to its architectural and clock speed advantages.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370T supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core i3-6300 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This represents a 33% increase in theoretical memory bandwidth for the newer chip.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No, they are not. The i3-4370T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-6300 uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard, requiring a platform change to switch between them.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural shift between these two CPUs is evident in their process nodes and microarchitectures. The i3-4370T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, while the i3-6300 utilizes the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process. This die shrink from 22 nm to 14 nm allows for improved power efficiency and higher clock speeds, which is reflected in the performance data.

Both processors share the same transistor count of 1,400 million, but the die size differs: the Haswell chip measures 177 mm², while the Skylake chip is smaller at 150 mm². This smaller die size on the same transistor budget indicates a denser, more efficient design for the i3-6300. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i3-4370T featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i3-6300 featuring Intel HD 530, representing a generational improvement in GPU capabilities.

Memory support marks another significant architectural divergence. The i3-4370T is limited to DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus delivering 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. In contrast, the i3-6300 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a substantially higher bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This increased memory bandwidth can benefit memory-intensive applications and is a direct consequence of the newer memory controller design in Skylake.

The cache hierarchy is identical between the two, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both also feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and do not support ECC memory. The production status differs, with the i3-4370T marked as end-of-life and the i3-6300 listed as active, indicating the newer chip is still in the product lineup.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a definitive picture: the i3-6300 wins every single comparison, with a consistent margin of 15.5% in most tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-6300 scores 340 against the i3-4370T's 287, a delta of -15.6%. This is the largest gap in the dataset, slightly exceeding the uniform 15.5% margin seen elsewhere.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the i3-6300 at 1419 versus 1199 for the i3-4370T. The single-core test in the same suite shows a similar story: 200 for the i3-6300 and 169 for the i3-4370T, both representing a 15.5% advantage. This consistency across multi-core and single-core workloads suggests the i3-6300's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general performance uplift.

The Cinebench R23 results reinforce this trend. In the multi-core test, the i3-6300 achieves 3380, while the i3-4370T manages 2856. The single-core test shows 477 for the i3-6300 and 403 for the i3-4370T. Again, both show a 15.5% delta. The overall average benchmark scores are close, with the i3-4370T at 983 and the i3-6300 at 978, but this aggregate metric masks the consistent per-test advantage of the newer chip.

It is worth noting that the i3-4370T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon X3470 and Intel Core i7-875K, both with an average score of 983-984, while the i3-6300's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5257U and Intel Core i3-4130, with average scores of 975-976. Both CPUs sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are in a similar overall performance tier despite the i3-6300's clear head-to-head victories.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the base clock speed. The i3-4370T runs at 3.30 GHz, while the i3-6300 runs at 3.80 GHz. This 15% difference in clock speed aligns almost exactly with the 15.5% performance delta observed in benchmarks, suggesting clock speed is the primary driver of the performance gap.

The TDP also differs significantly: the i3-4370T has a 35W TDP, while the i3-6300 has a 51W TDP. This means the older chip consumes less power and generates less heat, which could be advantageous in compact or thermally constrained systems, though it comes at the cost of performance.

Socket compatibility is another clear differentiator. The i3-4370T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-6300 uses Intel Socket 1151. This requires different motherboards and chipsets for each CPU. The process node differs as well, with the i3-4370T at 22 nm and the i3-6300 at 14 nm, and the die size is 177 mm² versus 150 mm², respectively.

Memory support marks a major specification split: the i3-4370T uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-6300 uses DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The integrated graphics differ, with Intel HD 4600 on the i3-4370T and Intel HD 530 on the i3-6300. The release dates are also different, with the i3-4370T launching on 2015-03-29 and the i3-6300 on 2015-08-31. The i3-4370T has a launch MSRP of $138, while no launch MSRP is listed for the i3-6300.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-6300 wins in every benchmark category, making it the superior choice for raw performance. It offers a 15.5% advantage in multi-core workloads like Cinebench R20 and R23, which translates to faster rendering and content creation tasks. Its single-core performance lead of 15.5% in R20 and R23 also benefits everyday applications, web browsing, and productivity software that rely on single-threaded performance.

The i3-6300 also wins on platform modernity with DDR4 memory support and higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, which can be advantageous in memory-heavy workloads. Its active production status and newer Skylake architecture on 14 nm also suggest better future software optimization potential compared to the end-of-life Haswell chip.

The Intel Core i3-4370T's primary advantage is power efficiency. Its 35W TDP is significantly lower than the i3-6300's 51W TDP, making it more suitable for low-power builds, small form factor systems, or environments where heat output is a concern. It also supports DDR3 memory, which may be cheaper or already available to users with existing DDR3 platforms, potentially easing upgrades from older systems.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-6300 is the better performer, winning all five head-to-head benchmark tests with a consistent 15.5% margin. For users prioritizing speed in both single-core and multi-core applications, the i3-6300 is the clear choice. Its higher 3.80 GHz clock speed, newer Skylake architecture, and faster DDR4 memory support all contribute to its superior benchmark results.

However, the i3-4370T has a distinct role for power-conscious builds. Its 35W TDP versus 51W makes it a more energy-efficient option, and its compatibility with DDR3 memory could be a deciding factor for those upgrading within an existing Haswell platform. While it trails in performance, its lower power draw may be the priority in certain use cases.

The final recommendation hinges on the user's priorities. If performance is the goal, the i3-6300 wins outright with a 15.5% advantage across the board. If power efficiency is paramount, the i3-4370T is the better fit, though it sacrifices significant performance to achieve that efficiency. Both CPUs sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs, but within this pairing, the i3-6300 is the definitive performance leader.