Intel Core i5-3450 vs Intel Core i5-4430 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i5-4430 wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison, though by a narrow margin. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i5-4430 leads the i5-3450 by roughly 3.2 to 3.6 percent, a spread tight enough to suggest the two chips are close cousins in real-world performance.

The largest gap appears in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the i5-4430 scores 56 against the i5-3450's 54, a 3.6 percent advantage. That is the only test where the delta exceeds 3.5 percent. In the multi-core Cinebench R15 run, the i5-4430 posts 400 versus 387, a 3.2 percent lead. The Cinebench R20 tests show the same story: multi-core 1669 against 1613 (3.4 percent), single-core 235 against 227 (3.4 percent). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern with 3974 versus 3842 in multi-core (3.3 percent) and 561 versus 542 in single-core (3.4 percent).

The consistency is notable. No workload category favors the i5-3450, and the margins are nearly identical across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. This suggests the i5-4430's advantage is architectural efficiency rather than a specific feature that shines in one workload type. The i5-3450's higher boost clock, 3.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, is not enough to overcome the i5-4430's newer design.

Looking at broader averages, the database shows the i5-3450 has an average benchmark score of 1166 across all recorded tests, while the i5-4430 sits at 1149. That difference is notable because it reverses the head-to-head results. The i5-3450's average is pulled up by its Geekbench scores, which are not part of the direct comparison set. In Geekbench, the i5-3450 scores 1985 multi-core and 681 single-core. The i5-4430 has no recorded Geekbench results in the database, so those scores only affect the i5-3450's aggregate.

The nearest rivals for each chip confirm they occupy the same performance tier. The i5-3450 sits within 0.3 percent of the AMD Opteron 6220, the Intel Core i5-3570S, the Intel Core i7-2960XM, and the Intel Core i7-3635QM. The i5-4430 is within 0.4 percent of the Intel Core i7-3612QE, the AMD Opteron 4284, the Intel Core i7-2600S, and the Intel Core i3-8145UE. Both chips land at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are neither entry-level parts nor particularly strong performers by modern standards, but they are perfectly serviceable for everyday desktop work.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use different sockets, which is the most important architectural distinction. The i5-3450 is an Ivy Bridge part on the Intel Socket 1155 platform, released in April 2012. The i5-4430 is a Haswell part on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, released in June 2013. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable; a motherboard built for one will not accept the other.

Both chips use the same 22 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, with the same transistor count of 1,400 million. The die size differs slightly, with the i5-3450 at 160 mm² and the i5-4430 at 177 mm², reflecting the newer Haswell architecture's additional integrated components. The core configuration is identical on paper: 4 cores, 4 threads, no hyper-threading. Cache layouts match as well, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The memory support is the same generation of technology, DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration. The recorded memory bandwidth for the i5-3450 is 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4430 has no bandwidth figure listed in the database. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an officially supported feature on either part.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i5-3450 carries the Intel HD 2500, while the i5-4430 ships with the Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 is the more capable integrated solution, which matters for builds without a discrete graphics card. The PCIe support also differs slightly: the i5-3450 lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the i5-4430 lists Gen 3 without a specific lane count in the database.

The base and boost clocks favor the older chip on paper. The i5-3450 runs at 3.10 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost, while the i5-4430 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. Despite the clock disadvantage, the i5-4430 wins every benchmark, which indicates the Haswell architecture delivers more instructions per clock than Ivy Bridge. The thermal design power is also higher on the i5-4430 at 84 watts versus 77 watts for the i5-3450, a modest increase that reflects the more complex Haswell design.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4430 wins every single recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. There is no test in the database where the i5-3450 comes out ahead. The i5-4430's margins are uniform, ranging from 3.2 to 3.6 percent, which makes it the clear choice for any workload that relies on CPU compute. This includes rendering tasks like Cinebench, general productivity, and anything that benefits from newer architecture efficiency.

The i5-3450 does have one area where it looks better in the database: its average benchmark score of 1166 is higher than the i5-4430's 1149. That is entirely due to the Geekbench results being recorded only for the i5-3450. The i5-3450's Geekbench multi-core score of 1985 and single-core score of 681 are not directly comparable to anything on the i5-4430 side, since the i5-4430 lacks Geekbench data. If those scores were included in a broader comparison, the i5-3450 would appear stronger in that specific test suite.

For practical use, the i5-4430 is the better processor for Cinebench-style rendering work, both single-threaded and multi-threaded. The i5-3450 remains competitive but trails by a consistent 3 to 4 percent. The i5-4430 also has the stronger integrated graphics, the HD 4600, which makes it more suitable for a system without a dedicated GPU. The i5-3450's advantages are its lower TDP of 77 watts and its higher clock speeds, which do not translate into benchmark wins but could matter for thermals in a compact build.

The socket situation is the deciding factor for anyone choosing between them today. A system on Socket 1155 can only use the i5-3450 (or other Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge parts), while a Socket 1150 board requires the i5-4430 or other Haswell chips. The benchmark differences are small enough that platform compatibility should dominate the decision.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4430 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 400 versus 387 in Cinebench R15, 1669 versus 1613 in R20, and 3974 versus 3842 in R23. The margins are between 3.2 and 3.4 percent.

Q: Does the i5-3450's higher boost clock help it in single-core tests?

A: No. Despite a 3.50 GHz boost clock versus 3.20 GHz on the i5-4430, the i5-3450 loses every single-core test. The i5-4430 leads by 3.6 percent in Cinebench R15 single-core (56 versus 54), 3.4 percent in R20 (235 versus 227), and 3.4 percent in R23 (561 versus 542).

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-3450 uses the Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4430 uses the Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and cache configuration?

A: Yes. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4430 has the Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3450 has the Intel HD 2500. The database records no graphics benchmarks, but the HD 4600 is the newer and more capable part.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The i5-3450 has an average score of 1166, putting it within 0.3 percent of the AMD Opteron 6220, Intel Core i5-3570S, Intel Core i7-2960XM, and Intel Core i7-3635QM. The i5-4430 averages 1149, within 0.4 percent of the Intel Core i7-3612QE, AMD Opteron 4284, Intel Core i7-2600S, and Intel Core i3-8145UE.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4430 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. The margins are small, between 3.2 and 3.6 percent, but they are consistent across single-core and multi-core tests. Anyone building a system on a Socket 1150 motherboard should take the i5-4430 without hesitation. The i5-3450 is not a bad chip, it sits at the same 33rd percentile in the database and has a higher average benchmark score thanks to its Geekbench results, but it loses every direct comparison.

The i5-3450's only practical advantages are its lower TDP of 77 watts against 84 watts and its higher clock speeds, which do not produce wins. It also has the higher launch MSRP of $174, though the i5-4430 has no recorded launch price in the database. The i5-4430 compensates with a newer architecture, a larger die, and the superior HD 4600 integrated graphics.

For a new build, the socket difference makes this comparison mostly academic. A Socket 1155 board forces the i5-3450, and a Socket 1150 board forces the i5-4430. If the motherboard is not yet chosen, the i5-4430 is the better pick based purely on benchmark performance. If upgrading an existing Ivy Bridge system, the i5-3450 remains a capable part, but the recorded data shows the Haswell chip is the stronger option wherever it fits.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3450 | Intel Core i5-4430 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2013-06-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $174 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR0PF | SR14G |