Intel Core i5-4430 vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a split picture that depends heavily on which Cinebench generation is being examined. In the older Cinebench R15 tests, the Intel Processor N97 dominates both multi-core and single-core workloads. The N97 scores 479 in R15 multi-core compared to the Core i5-4430's 400, a 16.5% advantage. The single-core gap in R15 is far larger: the N97 records 161 against the i5-4430's 56, which represents a 65.2% lead for the newer chip. These are substantial margins, particularly in single-threaded performance where the N97 nearly triples the older processor's score.

However, the picture reverses dramatically in the Cinebench R23 suite. The Core i5-4430 takes a decisive win in R23 multi-core with a score of 3974 versus the N97's 2913, a 36.4% advantage for the Haswell part. This is a significant reversal, indicating that the newer R23 workload scales differently with the two architectures. In R23 single-core, though, the N97 reasserts its dominance with 973 points against 561 for the i5-4430, a 42.3% margin. Across the four head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Processor N97 wins three and the Core i5-4430 wins one.

The overall average benchmark scores confirm a close race. The i5-4430 averages 1149 across all recorded tests, while the N97 averages 1132. That is a difference of roughly 1.5% in favor of the older desktop chip. Both processors sit in the lower third of the database's CPU rankings: the i5-4430 lands at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, and the N97 sits at the 32nd percentile. Their nearest rivals reinforce this parity. The i5-4430 sits within 0.4% of the Core i3-8145UE, the Core i7-2600S, the Core i7-3612QE, and the AMD Opteron 4284. The N97 is within 0.3% of the Core i3-10110U, the Pentium Gold G5500, the Core i3-4370, and the Core i5-4690T.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different usage profiles. The Intel Core i5-4430 is the better choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads that resemble Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 36.4% lead in that specific test indicates that older Haswell architecture can still punch above its weight when all four cores are fully utilized in a modern rendering workload. Anyone running CPU-intensive tasks that scale across cores and benefit from a 6 MB shared L3 cache should look at the i5-4430.

The Intel Processor N97 is the clear winner for single-threaded responsiveness and legacy benchmark compatibility. Its 65.2% lead in R15 single-core and 42.3% lead in R23 single-core show a massive IPC improvement from the Gracemont architecture. The N97 also wins R15 multi-core by 16.5%, which suggests that older software that was designed around earlier Cinebench versions will run noticeably better on the newer chip. The N97's 12 TDP also makes it far more suitable for compact, low-power systems, though the database records no power or thermal measurements to quantify that further.

For general desktop use with modern applications, the N97's single-core superiority is likely to be felt more often. For heavily threaded rendering or batch workloads, the i5-4430's R23 multi-core result is the stronger indicator. The overall benchmark averages are essentially tied, so the decision should rest on which specific workload matters most.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design eras. The Intel Core i5-4430 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node from Intel's foundry. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The Intel Processor N97 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process node, also from Intel's own foundry. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the N97.

Both chips have four cores and four threads, so neither offers simultaneous multithreading. The cache layouts differ notably. The i5-4430 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 6 MB L3. The N97 has 96 KB of L1 per core and a shared 2 MB L2, plus a shared 6 MB L3. The N97's per-core L1 is larger, but its L2 is shared rather than per-core.

Memory support splits the two as well. The i5-4430 uses dual-channel DDR3, while the N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 but only in single-channel configuration. The N97 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; the i5-4430 has no bandwidth figure in the database. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the N97's implementation is limited to 9 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4430's lane count is not recorded.

The integrated graphics differ: the i5-4430 carries Intel HD 4600, while the N97 has UHD Graphics 730. The release dates are roughly a decade apart, with the i5-4430 launching in June 2013 and the N97 in January 2023. The i5-4430 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150, while the N97 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1264. The N97 is still marked as active in production, while the i5-4430 has no production status listed. The i5-4430's base clock is recorded as 3.00 GHz with a 3.20 GHz boost, while the N97's base clock is listed at 2000.00 MHz with a 3.60 GHz boost. The i5-4430 has an 84 TDP, the N97 a 12 TDP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N97 wins all single-core tests. It leads by 65.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (161 vs 56) and by 42.3% in R23 single-core (973 vs 561).

Q: Does the older Core i5-4430 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 36.4%, scoring 3974 against the N97's 2913.

Q: Which chip has better overall average performance?

A: The Core i5-4430 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1149 compared to the N97's 1132, a difference of about 1.5%.

Q: Are these processors comparable in their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-4430 sits within 0.4% of chips like the Core i7-2600S and Core i3-8145UE. The N97 sits within 0.3% of chips like the Core i3-10110U and Pentium Gold G5500. Both occupy similar percentile ranks, 33rd and 32nd respectively.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i5-4430 supports dual-channel DDR3. The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 but only in single-channel mode, with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Do either of these chips support ECC memory?

A: No, both the Core i5-4430 and the Processor N97 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4430 wins in sustained multi-threaded rendering as measured by Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 3974 score and 36.4% margin over the N97 suggest that modern batch workloads which can fully utilize four cores will favor the older desktop chip. The i5-4430 also has the higher average benchmark score overall, so for a balanced mix of workloads that approximate the database's full test suite, it edges ahead.

The Intel Processor N97 wins in every other recorded head-to-head: R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, and R23 single-core. The R15 multi-core win by 16.5% is particularly interesting because it shows the N97 is faster even in multi-threaded legacy benchmarks. The single-core wins are overwhelming, with margins of 65.2% and 42.3%. This makes the N97 the better choice for general desktop responsiveness, older applications, and any workload that is primarily single-threaded.

The N97 also has the advantage of a much lower 12 TDP compared to the i5-4430's 84 TDP, though the database does not record any thermal or power consumption test results. The N97's single-channel memory configuration is a limitation, but its support for DDR4 and DDR5 gives it more modern platform options. The i5-4430's dual-channel DDR3 setup may provide better memory bandwidth for certain workloads, but no bandwidth figure is recorded to confirm this.

From a platform perspective, the N97 is a mobile BGA 1264 part that remains in active production, while the i5-4430 is a desktop Socket 1150 part from 2013. The N97's 10 nm process and Gracemont architecture deliver the single-core IPC gains that show up clearly in the benchmark data. The i5-4430's larger die and older process node still manage to win the R23 multi-core test, likely due to its dual-channel memory and higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus the N97's 2000.00 MHz base. The N97's 3.60 GHz boost clock helps it in short single-thread bursts, but the i5-4430's sustained clock behavior appears to favor longer multi-core runs.

For a builder choosing between these two, the decision comes down to workload type. Multi-threaded rendering in modern Cinebench R23 points to the i5-4430. Single-threaded responsiveness, legacy benchmark performance, and lower power draw point to the N97. The overall averages are nearly identical, so neither chip is a clear overall winner. The data supports the N97 as the better all-rounder for everyday tasks, with the i5-4430 reserved for specific multi-threaded scenarios where its R23 multi-core lead matters most.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category except for core count, thread count, manufacturer, ECC support, and PCIe generation. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Both are made by Intel, neither supports ECC memory, and both use PCIe Gen 3.

The process node differs: 22 nm for the i5-4430 versus 10 nm for the N97. The i5-4430 has 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size; the N97 has no recorded transistor count or die size. The base clocks are 3.00 GHz for the i5-4430 and 2000.00 MHz for the N97. The boost clocks are 3.20 GHz for the i5-4430 and 3.60 GHz for the N97. The TDP ratings are 84 for the i5-4430 and 12 for the N97.

The sockets are entirely different: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5-4430 versus Intel BGA 1264 for the N97. The architectures are Haswell and Gracemont respectively. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core for the i5-4430 and 96 KB per core for the N97. The L2 cache is 256 KB per core for the i5-4430 and 2 MB shared for the N97. Both have 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: DDR3 for the i5-4430, DDR4 and DDR5 for the N97. The memory bus is dual-channel for the i5-4430 and single-channel for the N97. The N97 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s; the i5-4430 has none. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 for the i5-4430 and UHD Graphics 730 for the N97. The market segment is Desktop for the i5-4430 and Mobile for the N97. The i5-4430 launched in June 2013, the N97 in January 2023. The N97 is listed as Active in production; the i5-4430 has no production status. The part numbers are SR14G for the i5-4430 and SRMLM for the N97. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a recorded launch MSRP.