Intel Core i5-4430 vs Intel Core i7-3635QM Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM records an average benchmark score of 1170, while the Intel Core i5-4430 records 1149. The i7 holds a narrow lead of roughly 1.8% based on these aggregate figures.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM wins all six recorded head-to-head tests. It takes every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore and singlecore comparison, with winning margins between 1.8% and 2.1%.

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 33rd percentile when compared against all CPUs in the database. Despite the i7 winning every head-to-head test, both processors occupy the same overall performance tier.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-4430 also has 4 cores but only 4 threads, meaning it lacks Hyper-Threading support that the i7 provides.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM includes Intel HD 4000 graphics. The Intel Core i5-4430 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i5's integrated graphics solution is the more recent generation of the two.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM was released on 2012-08-31, while the Intel Core i5-4430 was released on 2013-06-01, putting roughly ten months between their launch dates.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3635QM is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture and belongs to the Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) generation. It uses a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel, with 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-4430 is a Haswell part, belonging to the Core i5 (Haswell) generation, also on a 22 nm process node from Intel, but with 1,400 million transistors and a larger 177 mm² die. The transistor counts are close, but the i5 has a larger physical die despite having fewer transistors, which reflects the architectural changes between Ivy Bridge and Haswell.

Both processors feature 4 physical cores, but the i7-3635QM doubles the thread count to 8 via simultaneous multithreading, while the i5-4430 remains at 4 threads. This is the single most important architectural distinction between the two parts when evaluating multithreaded workloads. The i7 is a mobile part using the Intel BGA 1224 socket, while the i5 is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1150. Their market segments differ accordingly: Mobile versus Desktop.

Cache hierarchies are identical in structure. Each processor has 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 both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-4430 explicitly supports DDR3 memory and features PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-3635QM does not have memory support or PCIe details recorded in the database.

The i7-3635QM has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-4430 has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.20 GHz. This means the i5 runs faster at stock sustained clocks, while the i7 has more headroom for single-core boost behavior. The i7 carries a 45 W TDP, whereas the i5 carries an 84 W TDP. Despite being a mobile chip, the i7 is rated for substantially lower power draw than the desktop i5.

The integrated graphics differ as noted above: HD 4000 for the i7, HD 4600 for the i5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is not available on either part. The i5-4430 has a part number of SR14G, while no part number is recorded for the i7-3635QM.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the Intel Core i7-3635QM wins all of them. The margins are consistent and narrow, ranging from 1.8% to 2.1%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 408 against the i5's 400, a 2% advantage. In R15 singlecore, the i7 scores 57 against 56, a 1.8% edge. The singlecore margin is the smallest of the six tests, which is expected given the i5's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus the i7's 2.40 GHz base.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 scores 1703 in multicore against 1669 for the i5, again a 2% win. In R20 singlecore, the i7 scores 240 against 235, a 2.1% margin, the largest delta recorded in this comparison. The R23 results follow the same pattern: the i7 scores 4057 in multicore versus 3974, a 2.1% win, and 572 in singlecore versus 561, a 2% win.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across all six tests, the i7 never wins by more than 2.1% and never by less than 1.8%. This suggests the performance difference is systematic rather than workload-dependent. The i7's extra threads likely explain the multicore wins, while its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz likely explains the singlecore wins. The i5's higher base clock does not translate into benchmark victories because boost clocks matter more in these short-duration render tests.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the i7-3635QM sits extremely close to the Intel Core i7-2960XM, with a delta of 0.1%, and equally close to the Intel Core i5-3570S, also 0.1%. The i5-4430, meanwhile, is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-3612QE and 0.2% of the AMD Opteron 4284. These rival positions confirm that both chips occupy a very dense performance cluster where small margins separate many parts.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i7-3635QM is the faster processor when comparing these two specific units. It wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher average benchmark score of 1170 versus 1149, and does so while consuming less power at 45 W TDP compared to 84 W. The i7's advantage comes primarily from its 8 threads versus 4, which helps in multithreaded Cinebench workloads, and its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, which helps in single-threaded tests.

However, the margins are small. A 2% difference in Cinebench scores is not a transformative gap. Both processors land at the 33rd percentile overall, and their nearest rivals overlap heavily. The i7-3635QM is within 0.1% of the older i7-2960XM, while the i5-4430 is within 0.2% of the i7-3612QE. In practical terms, these two CPUs are close enough that the choice depends more on platform and use case than on raw benchmark superiority.

The i5-4430 does have advantages worth noting. It is a desktop part with a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz, supports DDR3 memory explicitly, includes PCIe Gen 3, and features the newer HD 4600 integrated graphics. Its 84 W TDP is higher, but that is typical for a desktop processor where cooling is less constrained. For a system that prioritizes the desktop platform, newer integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 support, the i5-4430 is the sensible pick despite losing every benchmark test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The i7-3635QM has 8 threads; the i5-4430 has 4. The i7 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz; the i5 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The i7 carries a 45 W TDP; the i5 carries an 84 W TDP.

The sockets are different: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1224, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150. The architectures differ as well, with the i7 on Ivy Bridge and the i5 on Haswell. The process node is identical at 22 nm, but the transistor counts differ: 1,480 million for the i7 and 1,400 million for the i5. Die size also differs, with the i7 at 160 mm² and the i5 at 177 mm².

Market segments differ: the i7 is a Mobile part, and the i5 is a Desktop part. Release dates differ: the i7 launched on 2012-08-31, and the i5 launched on 2013-06-01. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 for the i7 and Intel HD 4600 for the i5. The i5-4430 explicitly lists DDR3 memory support and PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-3635QM does not record memory support or PCIe details. The i5-4430 has a part number of SR14G; no part number is recorded for the i7-3635QM.

Cache specifications are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, both lack ECC support, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3635QM wins every recorded benchmark test, but the context matters. Its 8 threads give it a clear edge in multithreaded rendering workloads such as Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. Its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz supports wins in single-threaded tests as well, albeit by a slightly smaller margin. The i7 also wins on power efficiency, with a 45 W TDP versus 84 W, making it the better choice for thermally constrained systems or mobile deployments where lower power draw is a priority.

The Intel Core i5-4430 does not win any benchmark tests in this comparison, but it still has use cases supported by the data. It is a desktop processor with a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz, which can be beneficial for sustained workloads that do not trigger boost behavior. It includes the newer Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, which is a generation ahead of the HD 4000 in the i7. It also explicitly supports DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 3, making it the more modern platform choice for a desktop build. Its 84 W TDP is higher, but on a desktop platform with adequate cooling, that is less of a concern.

For users choosing between the two strictly on benchmark performance, the i7-3635QM is the clear winner. For users building a desktop system where platform features like PCIe Gen 3, DDR3 support, and newer integrated graphics matter more than a 2% benchmark margin, the i5-4430 is the better fit. The data shows two closely matched processors, with the i7 taking the performance crown and the i5 offering the more modern desktop feature set.