Intel Core i3-9320 vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous in this comparison: the Intel Core i3-9320 wins every recorded test against the Intel Core i7-4870HQ. Across six head-to-head Cinebench runs, the i3-9320 takes all six, while the i7-4870HQ records zero wins. This is a clean sweep, but the nature of the wins matters more than the count.

The i3-9320 dominates in both single-core and multi-core workloads, which is unusual when comparing a desktop i3 against a mobile i7. In single-core tests, the i3-9320 leads by roughly 16% across the board. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 88 versus 76, a 15.8% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the gap is 370 versus 317, a 16.7% edge. The R23 single-core test shows 882 versus 757, again 16.5% ahead.

Multi-core performance tells a similar story. The i3-9320 posts 630 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 540 for the i7-4870HQ, a 16.7% lead. In R20 multi-core, the scores are 2626 against 2253, a 16.6% gap. The R23 multi-core result shows 6254 versus 5366, a 16.5% difference. These consistent margins suggest the i3-9320 simply executes instructions faster per clock, and that advantage persists even when the i7-4870HQ brings additional threads to the table.

Where the i7-4870HQ would typically shine is in heavily threaded workloads that scale with thread count. The data shows it does not. Despite having 8 threads against the i3-9320's 4 threads, the i7-4870HQ still loses multi-core tests by over 16%. The older Haswell architecture and lower clock speeds simply cannot compensate for the thread deficit. The i3-9320's higher boost clock, reaching 4.40 GHz, more than offsets the i7-4870HQ's hyper-threading advantage.

The i7-4870HQ does have a Geekbench result in the database, scoring 3701 multi-core and 1143 single-core, but there is no corresponding Geekbench run for the i3-9320 in the head-to-head data. Therefore, those scores cannot be directly compared here, and the Cinebench results stand as the only common benchmark ground.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel eras and design philosophies. The i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i7-4870HQ is built on the older Haswell architecture with a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a major factor in the i3-9320's efficiency and clock speed advantage.

The i7-4870HQ carries the Crystalwell codename, which refers to its embedded DRAM implementation, though the cache data in the database shows a conventional layout: 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-9320 offers 8 MB of shared L3 cache, a 2 MB advantage that helps with data reuse in compute-heavy tasks.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The i7-4870HQ contains 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die, reflecting its older, larger 22 nm process. The i3-9320 does not have a transistor count listed, but its die size is 126 mm², less than half the physical footprint of the i7-4870HQ. This size reduction comes from the denser 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory support diverges as well. The i3-9320 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-4870HQ is limited to DDR3, also dual-channel, with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-9320's memory subsystem offers roughly 50% more bandwidth, which can matter in memory-sensitive workloads.

The i3-9320 also supports ECC memory, while the i7-4870HQ does not. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, so expansion capability is equivalent. Integrated graphics differ: the i3-9320 pairs with UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-4870HQ includes Intel HD 5200. Neither is a gaming-grade solution, but the database records no graphics benchmarks for comparison.

The sockets and market segments are fundamentally different. The i3-9320 is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4870HQ is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1364, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard. This makes the i7-4870HQ non-upgradeable in practical terms, while the i3-9320 fits into a standard desktop platform.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-9320 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4870HQ reaches 3.70 GHz. The i3-9320 also has a higher base clock at 3.70 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Q: Does the i7-4870HQ have more threads?

A: Yes, the i7-4870HQ supports 8 threads through hyper-threading on its 4 cores. The i3-9320 has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading support.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The i3-9320 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4870HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both feature 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The i3-9320 has a TDP of 62 watts, while the i7-4870HQ has a TDP of 47 watts. The i7-4870HQ is designed for mobile platforms with lower power envelopes.

Q: When were these processors released?

A: The i3-9320 was released on April 22, 2019, and the i7-4870HQ was released on June 30, 2014. Both are listed as end-of-life production status.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The i3-9320 has an average benchmark score of 1808, while the i7-4870HQ averages 1769. The i3-9320 sits at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs, and the i7-4870HQ is at the 41st percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-9320 | Intel Core i7-4870HQ |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 62 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Crystalwell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 264 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

| ECC Support | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Intel HD 5200 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2019-04-22 | 2014-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $154 | Not listed |

The specification table shows two processors designed for different physical environments. The i3-9320 is a desktop chip with higher clocks and power draw, while the i7-4870HQ is a mobile part with lower clocks and power consumption. The i7-4870HQ compensates with hyper-threading, doubling its thread count, but the clock disadvantage proves insurmountable in benchmarks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent. The i3-9320 wins every Cinebench iteration by a margin between 15.8% and 16.7%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental per-clock performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the i3-9320 scores 630 in multi-core against 540 for the i7-4870HQ, a 16.7% lead. In single-core, the i3-9320 posts 88 versus 76, a 15.8% advantage. The single-core margin is slightly smaller, but still substantial.

Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern. Multi-core scores are 2626 versus 2253, a 16.6% gap. Single-core scores are 370 versus 317, a 16.7% lead. The i3-9320 maintains its edge almost exactly across both tests.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. Multi-core results show 6254 for the i3-9320 and 5366 for the i7-4870HQ, a 16.5% difference. Single-core results are 882 versus 757, also 16.5% apart. The consistency across R15, R20, and R23 indicates that the performance gap is stable regardless of the benchmark version or workload intensity.

The i7-4870HQ's hyper-threading does not rescue it in multi-core tests. Even with double the thread count, it trails by more than 16% in every multi-core run. This suggests that the i3-9320's higher clock speeds, newer architecture, and faster memory interface collectively outweigh the i7-4870HQ's thread advantage.

Context from the nearest rivals reinforces the i3-9320's position. Its closest competitor by average score is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U at 1810, just 0.1% ahead. The Intel Core i3-9100 sits 0.1% behind, and the Intel Core i5-6600K trails by 0.4%. For the i7-4870HQ, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE is 0.2% ahead, while the Intel Xeon E5-2637 v3 is 0.2% behind. Both processors occupy a similar performance tier, but the i3-9320 has a slight edge in average score: 1808 versus 1769, a difference of roughly 2.2%.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i3-9320. It outperforms the i7-4870HQ by approximately 16% across every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. Its newer 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture, higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, larger 8 MB L3 cache, and faster DDR4 memory support combine to deliver superior results in all recorded benchmarks.

However, context matters. The i7-4870HQ is a mobile processor from 2014, designed for laptops and compact systems where power consumption and heat output are primary constraints. Its 47 W TDP and BGA socket reflect that design intent. The i3-9320 is a desktop chip from 2019 with a 62 W TDP and a standard 1151 socket. These are different products for different physical environments.

For a desktop user building or upgrading a system around an Intel Socket 1151 platform, the i3-9320 is the better choice based on benchmark performance alone. It delivers higher scores in every test, has ECC memory support, and offers modern DDR4 compatibility. Its launch MSRP of $154 provides a reference point for its market positioning.

For a mobile user, the i7-4870HQ is the only option in this comparison that fits a laptop form factor. Its lower TDP and BGA mounting make it suitable for systems where the i3-9320 cannot physically be installed. The data shows it is slower, but it is also designed for a different power and thermal envelope.

The verdict from the recorded measurements is straightforward: choose the i3-9320 for desktop performance, choose the i7-4870HQ only if the mobile platform requires it. The i3-9320 wins 6 benchmarks out of 6, and no recorded test favors the i7-4870HQ.