Intel Core i5-3450 vs Intel Core i7-8665UE Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3450 and Intel Core i7-8665UE represent two very different eras of Intel’s mobile and desktop lineup. The i5-3450 is a desktop part from the Ivy Bridge generation, while the i7-8665UE is a mobile processor built on Whiskey Lake. Despite their age and platform differences, benchmark results place them close in overall performance, though the i7-8665UE consistently edges ahead in every recorded test. This analysis draws exclusively from the database’s recorded measurements to outline who should choose which chip and why.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8665UE is the stronger performer in every benchmark category recorded. Across six head-to-head tests, it wins all six, with margins ranging from 6.7% to 7.0% over the i5-3450. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-8665UE scores 4124 against the i5-3450’s 3842, a 6.8% advantage. Single-core results follow the same pattern: the i7-8665UE posts 582 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 542 for the i5-3450, a 6.9% lead. The data is unambiguous: for any workload that relies on CPU computation, the i7-8665UE is the better choice.

That said, the i5-3450 is not without merit. It is a desktop processor with a 77 W thermal design power, while the i7-8665UE is a mobile chip rated at 15 W. The i5-3450 also has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to the i7-8665UE’s 1.70 GHz base, though the i7-8665UE boosts to 4.40 GHz versus the i5-3450’s 3.50 GHz. For users building a desktop system with an Intel Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-3450 offers a straightforward, end-of-life part that still holds its own in multi-threaded tasks, as evidenced by its average benchmark score of 1166. The i7-8665UE, with an average score of 1193, is only 2.3% higher overall, so the gap is narrow in aggregate terms.

The verdict: pick the i7-8665UE if you need the best recorded performance, especially in single-threaded workloads and mobile platforms. Pick the i5-3450 if you are constrained to a desktop socket and require a lower-cost entry point, though note that the i7-8665UE’s launch MSRP was $409 while the i5-3450’s was $174. The i5-3450 is end-of-life, as is the i7-8665UE, so neither is a future-proof investment. For raw compute, the i7-8665UE wins every recorded test, but the i5-3450 remains competitive in multi-core scores, trailing by only 6.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (387 vs 415).

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different nodes and architectures. The i5-3450 uses Intel’s Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, while the i7-8665UE uses Whiskey Lake on a 14 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the transistor counts differ: the i5-3450 has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, the i7-8665UE has no recorded transistor or die size data in the database. The i5-3450 is a desktop part with an Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-8665UE is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1528.

Cache configurations show a key difference: the i5-3450 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-8665UE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i5-3450 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-8665UE has 4 cores and 8 threads, meaning the mobile chip supports hyper-threading. This thread advantage likely contributes to its higher multi-core scores, though the i5-3450’s higher base clock partially compensates.

Memory support differs as well. The i5-3450 supports only DDR3 memory, while the i7-8665UE supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i7-8665UE has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i5-3450. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe capabilities are identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for both.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The i5-3450 includes Intel HD 2500, while the i7-8665UE has UHD Graphics 620. The database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so any comparison is qualitative: the UHD 620 is a newer generation, but no performance numbers are recorded.

The i5-3450’s release date is recorded as 2012-04-28, while the i7-8665UE’s is 2018-09-30. Both are end-of-life production status. The i5-3450 is a desktop market segment, the i7-8665UE is mobile. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a supported feature per the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head benchmarks, all from the Cinebench suite. The i7-8665UE wins every one, but the margins are consistent and narrow, ranging from 6.7% to 7.0%. This suggests that the i7-8665UE’s advantage is architectural and consistent across both single-core and multi-core tests, not a result of any single workload anomaly.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8665UE scores 415 against the i5-3450’s 387, a 6.7% lead. Single-core R15 shows a 6.9% gap: 58 versus 54. The R20 tests show similar patterns: multi-core 1732 versus 1613 (6.9% lead), single-core 244 versus 227 (7.0% lead). The R23 results continue the trend: multi-core 4124 versus 3842 (6.8% lead), single-core 582 versus 542 (6.9% lead).

The largest single margin is 7.0% in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i7-8665UE’s 244 beats the i5-3450’s 227. The smallest margin is 6.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. No test shows the i5-3450 winning, and the i7-8665UE’s wins are consistent across all six tests.

To put these scores in context, the i5-3450’s average benchmark score is 1166, placing it in the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6220 (average score 1168, 0.2% higher), the Intel Core i5-3570S (1169, 0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-2960XM (1169, 0.2% higher), and the Intel Core i7-3635QM (1170, 0.3% higher). The i7-8665UE’s average score is 1193, also in the 33rd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i3-4170 (1193, 0% difference), the AMD Athlon PRO 300U (1193, 0%), the AMD Opteron 3365 (1194, 0.1% higher), and the AMD Opteron 6234 (1191, 0.2% lower). The i7-8665UE sits in a slightly higher average score tier, but both are in the same percentile bracket.

The head-to-head data shows that the i7-8665UE is consistently ahead, but the i5-3450 is not far behind. In multi-core R23, the i5-3450’s 3842 is within 7% of the i7-8665UE’s 4124. In single-core R23, the gap is similar at 6.9%. This consistency suggests that the i7-8665UE’s advantage comes from its newer architecture and higher boost clock, not from any specific workload optimization.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i5-3450 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-8665UE has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-3450’s base clock is 3.10 GHz, while the i7-8665UE’s is 1.70 GHz. The boost clock is 3.50 GHz for the i5-3450 and 4.40 GHz for the i7-8665UE. Thermal design power is 77 W for the i5-3450 and 15 W for the i7-8665UE. The socket differs: Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-3450, Intel BGA 1528 for the i7-8665UE.

Architecture and process node: the i5-3450 is Ivy Bridge on 22 nm, the i7-8665UE is Whiskey Lake on 14 nm. The i5-3450 has 1,400 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size; the i7-8665UE has no recorded transistor or die size. Cache: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but L3 is 6 MB for the i5-3450 and 8 MB for the i7-8665UE. Memory support: the i5-3450 supports DDR3 only, the i7-8665UE supports DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s for the i5-3450 and 38.4 GB/s for the i7-8665UE. Integrated graphics: Intel HD 2500 versus UHD Graphics 620.

Market segment: desktop versus mobile. Release date: 2012-04-28 versus 2018-09-30. Launch MSRP: $174 for the i5-3450, $409 for the i7-8665UE. Both are end-of-life, both have locked multipliers, both have no ECC support, both use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only). Part numbers are SR0PF for the i5-3450 and SRF9W for the i7-8665UE.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-8665UE wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4124 versus the i5-3450’s 3842, a 6.8% lead. In R20, it scores 1732 versus 1613 (6.9% lead), and in R15, 415 versus 387 (6.7% lead).

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-8665UE also leads in single-core. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 582 versus 542 for the i5-3450, a 6.9% gap. R20 shows 244 versus 227 (7.0% lead), and R15 shows 58 versus 54 (6.9% lead).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: Both have 4 cores, but the i5-3450 has 4 threads while the i7-8665UE has 8 threads. The i7-8665UE supports hyper-threading, which contributes to its multi-core advantage.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The i7-8665UE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3450 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i5-3450 supports only DDR3, while the i7-8665UE supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The i7-8665UE also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i5-3450.

Q: Are both CPUs end-of-life?

A: Yes, the database records both as end-of-life production status. The i5-3450 was released on 2012-04-28, and the i7-8665UE on 2018-09-30.