Intel Core i3-7300 vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a remarkably consistent pattern across all six Cinebench tests: the Intel Core i5-4690T wins every single head-to-head matchup, though by narrow margins. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i5-4690T scores 393 against the i3-7300's 388, a 1.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result is slightly more decisive, with the i5-4690T posting 55 versus 54, a 1.9% lead. That 1.9% delta is the largest margin recorded in any benchmark between these two processors, so it represents the clearest separation in the entire comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i5-4690T scores 1640 in multicore while the i3-7300 reaches 1619, again a 1.3% difference. In single-core R20, the i5-4690T records 231 against 228, another 1.3% margin. The most modern test in the database, Cinebench R23, shows the same story: 3905 versus 3856 in multicore and 551 versus 544 in single-core, both with a 1.3% delta. With six wins out of six benchmarks, the i5-4690T is the consistent, if not overwhelming, victor.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The i5-4690T carries an average score of 1129, while the i3-7300 sits at 1115. That difference places the i5-4690T in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database, one point above the i3-7300's 31st percentile. For context, the i5-4690T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3612QM at an identical 1129 average score, and the Intel Core i3-4370 at 1130, which is only 0.1% faster. The i3-7300, meanwhile, is bracketed by the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 at 1116 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i3-4150 at 1119 (0.3% faster). Neither processor is setting records, but the i5-4690T edges ahead in every measured test.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural eras and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-4690T is built on the Haswell architecture using Intel's 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Core i3-7300 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm node, though the database does not record its transistor count or die size. That process shrink is a significant generational step, but the benchmark data shows it does not translate into a performance advantage for the newer chip.

Core configuration differs sharply. The i5-4690T offers 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7300 provides 2 physical cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Both chips share the same 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, but L3 cache differs: the i5-4690T has 6 MB shared, while the i3-7300 has 4 MB shared. The i5-4690T also holds a clock speed advantage in boost operation, reaching 3.50 GHz, though its base clock is just 2.50 GHz. The i3-7300 runs at a fixed 4.00 GHz with no boost clock listed, which explains why its single-core performance comes so close despite having only two physical cores.

Memory support is another clear differentiator. The i5-4690T uses DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The i3-7300 moves to DDR4, also dual-channel, but with a higher 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. That memory bandwidth advantage belongs to the i3-7300, yet it does not overcome the i5-4690T's extra two physical cores in the recorded benchmarks. The i5-4690T also carries a lower TDP of 45 watts against the i3-7300's 51 watts, making the older chip more power-efficient in addition to being faster in these tests.

Sockets and integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4690T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-7300 uses Intel Socket 1151, so they are not interchangeable in a motherboard. Integrated graphics are the Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4690T versus the Intel HD 630 on the i3-7300. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either platform.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4690T wins everywhere in the recorded benchmarks, but the margins tell a practical story. In multicore workloads, the 1.3% lead in R15, R20, and R23 is consistent, which suggests the four physical cores provide a steady advantage over the i3-7300's two cores with four threads. For tasks like video encoding, compiling, or any threaded productivity work, the i5-4690T is the safer pick according to the data. Its lower 45 watt TDP also makes it attractive for compact or thermally constrained builds where power draw matters.

The i3-7300 is not without its strengths, even if they do not show up as benchmark wins. Its 4.00 GHz fixed clock is significantly higher than the i5-4690T's 2.50 GHz base, and the 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth is a major upgrade over the i5-4690T's 25.6 GB/s. In single-core tests, the i3-7300 comes within 1.9% of the i5-4690T in R15 and within 1.3% in R20 and R23. That closeness indicates the Kaby Lake architecture's per-core efficiency is real, but it is not enough to flip a single result. The i3-7300 also supports DDR4 memory, which may be easier to source for a modern build, and its newer integrated graphics (Intel HD 630) could matter for light media usage.

For gaming, the database does not include direct gaming benchmarks, so conclusions must stay limited to the Cinebench results. The i5-4690T's extra cores give it a theoretical edge in modern titles that use more than two threads, but the i3-7300's high clock speed and newer architecture keep it competitive in lightly threaded scenarios. Neither chip has a decisive advantage based solely on the recorded data.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 393 versus 388 in Cinebench R15, 1640 versus 1619 in R20, and 3905 versus 3856 in R23, each with a 1.3% advantage.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-7300 better in single-core tests?

A: No. The i5-4690T also wins every single-core test, though by a slim margin. The largest gap is 1.9% in Cinebench R15 (55 versus 54), while R20 and R23 show 1.3% differences.

Q: Do these processors use the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The i5-4690T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3-7300 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which chip has more cores?

A: The i5-4690T has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-7300 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i5-4690T supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-7300 supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The i5-4690T has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i3-7300 has a TDP of 51 watts. The i5-4690T is the lower-power part.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4690T outperforms the Intel Core i3-7300 in every recorded benchmark. Six wins out of six tests, with margins between 1.3% and 1.9%, makes it the faster processor for both single-core and multi-core workloads as measured by Cinebench. Its 4 physical cores, 6 MB of L3 cache, and lower 45 watt TDP give it a practical edge, particularly for threaded applications and power-sensitive builds.

The i3-7300 is the newer design on a 14 nm node with a higher 4.00 GHz fixed clock and faster DDR4 memory support at 38.4 GB/s. Those features make it a reasonable choice for a platform that requires Socket 1151 and DDR4, and its single-core scores are close enough that the difference in everyday use may be negligible. But the benchmark results do not favor it in any category. Users who already have a Socket 1150 platform or who prioritize the extra cores should choose the i5-4690T. Users building fresh on Socket 1151 with DDR4 memory may prefer the i3-7300 for its newer platform, accepting a small measured performance deficit.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4690T | Intel Core i3-7300 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | None listed |

| TDP | 45 W | 51 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 630 |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2017-01-02 |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Part Number | SR1QT | SR359 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 32nd | 31st |