Intel Core i3-8100T vs Intel Core i5-4670S Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8100T and Intel Core i5-4670S deliver nearly identical performance in most rendering workloads, but the data reveals distinct strengths. The i5-4670S wins the Geekbench tests decisively, while the i3-8100T edges ahead in every Cinebench test. Both CPUs hold the 38th percentile among all processors, and their average benchmark scores are separated by just 26 points (1526 vs 1500). The choice hinges on whether the workload favors the i5’s architectural advantages or the i3’s newer process node and platform features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Geekbench split. The i5-4670S leads by 5% in multi-core (3300 vs 3142) and by 7.2% in single-core (1184 vs 1104). These are the largest margins in the entire comparison. The Geekbench suite appears to reward the i5’s higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which the i3-8100T lacks entirely — it runs at a fixed 3.10 GHz with no boost capability.

In Cinebench, the story reverses, but with much smaller gaps. The i3-8100T wins all four Cinebench tests, yet by margins of only 0.3% to 0.4%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3 scores 450 against the i5’s 448, a delta of -0.4%. The single-core R15 test is a dead tie at 63 points each. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1876 vs 1870, and R23 multi-core shows 4467 vs 4454. The single-core R20 and R23 results follow the same pattern: 264 vs 263 and 630 vs 628, respectively.

These Cinebench margins are statistically negligible. The data indicates that in CPU-bound rendering tasks, the two processors are functionally equivalent. The i3-8100T’s consistent but tiny lead suggests a slight efficiency advantage, likely from its smaller 14nm process node versus the i5’s 22nm node. However, the i5-4670S compensates with its higher peak clock speed, which matters more in Geekbench’s mixed workload.

The i3-8100T wins 5 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i5-4670S wins the two tests with the largest performance deltas. This creates an interesting dynamic: the i3 is a narrow but consistent winner in Cinebench, while the i5 delivers a clear victory in Geekbench. For users prioritizing Geekbench scores, the i5 is the obvious pick. For Cinebench-centric workflows, the i3’s wins are too small to matter in practice.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent different eras of Intel design. The i5-4670S uses the Haswell architecture on a 22nm process, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i3-8100T uses Coffee Lake on a 14nm process, with a much smaller die at 126 mm². The i3’s transistor count is not listed, but the smaller die and newer node indicate a denser, more power-efficient design.

Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The core count and cache layout are the same, so architectural IPC differences come down to the microarchitecture itself. The i5’s base clock is 3.10 GHz with a boost to 3.80 GHz, while the i3 is locked at 3.10 GHz with no boost clock listed.

Memory support is a major divergence. The i5-4670S supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode, while the i3-8100T supports DDR4 with a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3 also supports ECC memory, which the i5 does not. This makes the i3 suitable for entry-level workstation or server scenarios where error-correcting memory is required.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, while the i3 has UHD Graphics 630. The i3’s newer iGPU is part of the Coffee Lake platform and benefits from the newer architecture. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the i3 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 simply lists Gen 3 without lane details.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, and the i3 uses Intel Socket 1151. This means upgrading from one to the other requires a new motherboard. The i3’s production status is listed as end-of-life, while the i5’s status is not specified. The i5 launched in June 2013, and the i3 launched in April 2018, a five-year gap.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4670S wins in Geekbench multi-core and single-core, with deltas of 5% and 7.2% respectively. These are the largest performance advantages in the entire comparison. The i5’s 3.80 GHz boost clock is the clear differentiator, as the i3 has no boost capability at all. For workloads that scale with peak single-thread frequency — such as legacy software, certain game engines, or lightly threaded productivity apps — the i5 has a measurable edge.

The i3-8100T wins every Cinebench test, but by margins under half a percent. In practice, these differences are within run-to-run variance. However, the consistency across all four Cinebench versions suggests the i3’s newer architecture has a slight IPC advantage that offsets its lower clock speed. For pure multi-threaded rendering workloads like Cinebench R23, the i3’s 4467 vs 4454 score is a tie.

The i3 also wins on platform features. It supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, which is a generational improvement over DDR3. It supports ECC memory, enabling error-correcting configurations. Its integrated UHD Graphics 630 is newer than the HD 4600. The i3’s TDP is 35W versus the i5’s 65W, making it significantly more power-efficient for compact or always-on systems.

The i5 wins on raw clock speed and Geekbench performance. It also has a larger die (177 mm² vs 126 mm²), which is a neutral factor but indicates more physical silicon for the older process. The i5’s market segment is Desktop, as is the i3’s, so both target the same general use case.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Core i3-8100T is the better all-around choice. It wins the majority of tests (5 out of 8), ties or edges out the i5 in all Cinebench workloads, and offers a newer platform with DDR4, ECC support, and lower power consumption. The i5-4670S’s Geekbench wins are notable but come in tests where the i3 is still close. A 7.2% single-core lead in Geekbench does not offset the i3’s advantages in efficiency and platform longevity.

The i3-8100T is also the only one with a listed launch MSRP of $117, which is a data point for cost-conscious buyers, though pricing is not otherwise analyzed here. Its end-of-life status is a caveat, but the i5 is older and likely in the same state. For new builds, the i3’s DDR4 support and 35W TDP make it the more future-proof option.

The i5-4670S remains a viable pick for users who already own a Socket 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory, or for workloads that specifically benefit from its 3.80 GHz boost clock. Its Geekbench scores are genuinely higher, and in applications that resemble that benchmark’s mix, it will outperform the i3. But for most users building a system today, the i3-8100T’s combination of comparable rendering performance, lower power draw, and modern memory support wins.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670S scores 1184 in Geekbench single-core, which is 7.2% higher than the Intel Core i3-8100T’s score of 1104.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4670S and the Intel Core i3-8100T have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Core i5-4670S has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4670S does not support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670S supports DDR3 memory, while the Intel Core i3-8100T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, what are the scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-8100T scores 4467, which is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-4670S’s score of 4454.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4670S | Intel Core i3-8100T |

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

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not specified |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | None |

| TDP | 65W | 35W |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 (38.4 GB/s) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Release Date | June 2013 | April 2018 |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Part Number | SR14K | SR3Y8 |