Intel Core i3-8109U vs Intel Core i5-4670T Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670T has an average benchmark score of 1271, while the Intel Core i3-8109U scores 1235, a difference of roughly 3%.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The i5-4670T scores 3820 versus the i3-8109U's 3544, which puts the i5 ahead by 7.8% in that test.

Q: Which chip is stronger in single-core Geekbench testing?

A: The i3-8109U wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1188, beating the i5-4670T's 977 by 17.8%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i5-4670T has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-8109U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the maximum boost clock speed for each processor?

A: The i5-4670T boosts up to 3.30 GHz, and the i3-8109U boosts up to 3.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The i5-4670T sits at the 35th percentile, while the i3-8109U sits at the 34th percentile, making them nearly equivalent in overall standing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i5-4670T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. In contrast, the i3-8109U uses the Kaby Lake architecture and a 14 nm process node, with a smaller die size of 123 mm². This generational shift brings a denser manufacturing process for the newer chip, though the i5 has more physical silicon area.

Core configuration is a major differentiator. The i5-4670T offers 4 physical cores with 4 threads, while the i3-8109U offers only 2 physical cores but uses Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads. This means the i5 has dedicated physical cores for each thread, while the i3 relies on shared execution resources for its extra threads. The i5 also carries a larger shared L3 cache of 6 MB, versus the i3's 4 MB. Both have the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes of 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

Memory support separates the two as well. The i5-4670T supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, while the i3-8109U supports DDR4 memory. The i5 is a desktop part using Socket 1150, while the i3 is a mobile part using BGA 1356. The integrated graphics differ too: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, while the i3 has Iris Pro Plus. The i5 uses PCIe Gen 3, while the i3's PCIe generation is not recorded in the database.

The clock speed profiles are distinct. The i5-4670T has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i3-8109U starts at 3.00 GHz base and boosts to 3.60 GHz. The i3's higher clocks compensate partially for its lower core count. The i5 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i3 is rated at 28 watts, indicating the i3 is designed for lower power envelopes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The market segments differ: the i5-4670T is explicitly a desktop chip, while the i3-8109U is a mobile chip. The i5's production status is not recorded, while the i3 is listed as active. The i5 was released on June 1, 2013, while the i3 was released on April 4, 2018.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split in strengths. The i5-4670T wins six of the eight head-to-head comparisons, while the i3-8109U wins two. The i5's wins are consistent in multi-core workloads and even extend to several single-core Cinebench tests.

In multi-core Cinebench tests, the i5 leads by a narrow but consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 384 versus the i3's 357, a 7.6% difference. In R20 multi-core, the i5 scores 1604 versus 1488, a 7.8% lead. In R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 3820 versus 3544, again 7.8% ahead. These results align with the i5's advantage of having 4 physical cores rather than 2 physical cores with 4 threads.

The i5 also wins in most single-core Cinebench tests, which is surprising given the i3's higher clock speeds. In R15 single-core, the i5 scores 54 versus the i3's 138.65, but the i5 wins by a 61.1% margin, meaning the i5's score is significantly higher. In R20 single-core, the i5 scores 226 versus 210, a 7.6% lead. In R23 single-core, the i5 scores 539 versus 500, a 7.8% lead. The i3's only wins come from the R15 single-core, where it scores 138.65 against the i5's 54, and in Geekbench single-core.

In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 2563 versus the i3's 2454, a 4.4% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i3 reverses the trend, scoring 1188 against the i5's 977, a 17.8% lead. This Geekbench single-core result is the biggest win for the i3 across the whole comparison.

The pattern is clear: the i5-4670T leads in nearly all Cinebench tests and in Geekbench multi-core, while the i3-8109U wins the Geekbench single-core and the R15 single-core. The i5's physical core advantage is decisive in most workloads, while the i3's higher clocks give it a single-core edge in Geekbench.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The core count differs: 4 cores on the i5 versus 2 on the i3. The thread count is 4 on both, but the i5's threads are tied to physical cores, while the i3's threads include virtual threads. Base clocks differ (2.30 GHz vs 3.00 GHz), as do boost clocks (3.30 GHz vs 3.60 GHz).

The TDP values are different: 45 watts for the i5 versus 28 watts for the i3. The sockets are different (Socket 1150 vs BGA 1356). Architecture and codename differ (Haswell vs Kaby Lake, with the i3 using Kaby Lake-R). The process node differs (22 nm vs 14 nm). The die size differs (177 mm² vs 123 mm²). The transistor count is 1,400 million for the i5, while the i3's transistor count is not recorded.

Cache sizes differ: L1 and L2 are the same per core (64 KB and 256 KB), but L3 is larger on the i5 (6 MB shared) versus the i3 (4 MB shared). Memory support is different: DDR3 for the i5, DDR4 for the i3. The memory bus is dual-channel for the i5, while the i3's bus is not specified. PCIe generation is Gen 3 for the i5, while the i3's is not specified. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4600 for the i5, Iris Pro Plus for the i3.

The market segment differs: desktop for the i5, mobile for the i3. Production status is not listed for the i5, but the i3 is active. Release dates differ (June 1, 2013 vs April 4, 2018). The i5 has a part number (SR14P), while the i3 has none listed. Both are Intel products, both lack ECC memory support, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4670T wins in multi-threaded and general-purpose computing. It leads in every Cinebench multi-core test (R15, R20, R23) and in Geekbench multi-core. The data shows that the i5's four physical cores give it a 4.4% to 7.8% edge over the i3's two-core setup with SMT. For workloads that scale across cores, such as rendering, encoding, or compile tasks, the i5 is the stronger choice. The i5 also wins all Cinebench single-core tests except the R15 test, which is a notable outlier.

The i3-8109U wins in Geekbench single-core and in Cinebench R15 single-core. The Geekbench single-core win is significant, with an 17.8% margin. This suggests the i3's higher boost clock and newer architecture give it a latency-sensitive advantage in tasks that depend on low thread count and high responsiveness. The i3 also has a lower TDP of 28 watts, meaning it fits in a more power-conscious design, though the database does not record measured power consumption.

The i5 is better for desktop workloads where sustained multi-core performance is needed. Its larger L3 cache and extra physical core help in multi-threaded applications. The i3 is better for mobile or low-power environments and for light single-threaded tasks where its clock speed is more beneficial. The i3's Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics may also offer better visual performance, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data points toward the i5-4670T as the stronger overall processor. It wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons and holds a higher average score (1271 vs 1235) and a higher percentile (35th vs 34th). The i5's advantage is most pronounced in multi-core workloads, where it leads by margins of 4.4% to 7.8% across Cinebench and Geekbench. Its 4 physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache provide a structural advantage over the i3's 2 cores with 4 MB of cache.

The i3-8109U is not without merits. It wins in Geekbench single-core by 17.8% and in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it has a clear lead. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.00 GHz and 3.60 GHz) contribute to this. The i3 also has a lower TDP (28 W versus 45 W) and a smaller die (123 mm² versus 177 mm²), which makes it more suited for compact, mobile systems. Its DDR4 memory support and Kaby Lake architecture are newer, but those factors do not translate into benchmark superiority.

For desktop users who need multi-core performance for rendering, content creation, or productivity workloads, the i5-4670T is the clear choice. It delivers higher Cinebench and multi-core Geekbench scores, and its larger cache and physical cores make it more consistent. For users who prioritize single-thread speed in Geekbench, or who require a low-power mobile chip, the i3-8109U offers a competitive alternative. But the data records the i5 as the winner in most measurable benchmarks, so it earns the overall recommendation. The i3 is a reasonable pick only when its single-core Geekbench and low TDP are the deciding factors.