Intel Core i5-4430S vs Intel Core i5-4670R Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4670R is the clear performance leader in this comparison, winning every single benchmark in the head-to-head data by a consistent margin of roughly 20%. The Intel Core i5-4430S, while sharing the same Haswell architecture and 65 W TDP, trails significantly across all Cinebench tests, making the 4670R the definitive choice for compute-heavy workloads. The data shows a decisive victory, not a close contest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-4670R dominates the Intel Core i5-4430S across the entire Cinebench suite, with every test showing a near-identical performance gap. The largest single-core advantage appears in Cinebench R15, where the 4670R scores 63 against the 4430S’s 52, a 21.2% lead. This pattern repeats in multi-core tests: in Cinebench R15 multicore, the 4670R posts 448 versus 373, a 20.1% delta. The consistency of these margins is striking — the smallest delta in the entire set is 19.9%, seen in Cinebench R20 multicore (1868 vs 1558), Cinebench R23 multicore (4448 vs 3710), and Cinebench R23 singlecore (627 vs 523).

The single-core story is equally one-sided. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the 4670R achieves 263, while the 4430S manages only 219, a 20.1% difference. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows the same 19.9% gap, with scores of 627 and 523 respectively. These results indicate that the 4670R’s higher base and boost clocks — 3.00 GHz and 3.70 GHz versus 2.70 GHz and 3.20 GHz for the 4430S — translate directly into measurable performance advantages in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the two CPUs sit very close in the overall rankings. The 4670R has an average benchmark score of 1286, while the 4430S averages 1274. Both occupy the 35th percentile among all CPUs. However, this aggregate similarity is misleading; the head-to-head data reveals that the 4670R is consistently ahead in every test that directly compares the two. The 4430S does have additional Geekbench scores in its data set — 2773 multicore and 980 singlecore — but since no corresponding 4670R Geekbench results are provided, these cannot be used for a direct comparison.

The nearest rivals for each processor further contextualize their positions. The 4670R is matched exactly by the Intel Core i5-3570 (both score 1286, 0% delta), and it sits just 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 6272 (1288) and 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289). The 4430S, by contrast, is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Atom x7425E (1273), 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4670T (1271), and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i3-1005G1 (1265). This suggests that while both are mid-pack performers, the 4670R compares favorably to a broader set of desktop and mobile chips, whereas the 4430S’s competition skews toward lower-power or entry-level parts.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4670R is the superior processor for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with deltas between 19.9% and 21.2%, a margin that is too large to ignore for rendering, compilation, or any CPU-bound task. The 4670R’s higher clock speeds — 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost versus 2.70 GHz and 3.20 GHz — are the primary drivers of this advantage, and they yield consistent gains in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests.

The Intel Core i5-4430S, however, is not without its own merits. Its average benchmark score of 1274 is only 12 points lower than the 4670R’s 1286, indicating that in a broad mix of workloads, the gap narrows considerably. Additionally, the 4430S uses the standard Intel Socket 1150, which is far more common in desktop motherboards than the 4670R’s proprietary Intel BGA 1364 socket. This makes the 4430S the more practical choice for system builders who already own a Socket 1150 board or who need a drop-in replacement. The 4430S also features a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache versus the 4670R’s 4 MB, which could help in cache-sensitive applications, though the benchmark data does not show this translating into a win.

For a new build where performance is the sole criterion, the 4670R is the clear pick. For an upgrade path or a system with an existing Socket 1150 motherboard, the 4430S is the only viable option of the two, despite its slower clocks. The 4670R’s unlocked multiplier also gives it overclocking headroom, a feature the locked 4430S lacks entirely.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670R scores 4448 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 19.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-4430S’s score of 3710.

Q: How much of a single-core advantage does the Intel Core i5-4670R have?

A: The 4670R leads by 21.2% in Cinebench R15 singlecore (63 vs 52) and by 19.9% in both Cinebench R20 singlecore (263 vs 219) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (627 vs 523).

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4670R and the Intel Core i5-4430S have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in their boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670R has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4430S boosts to 3.20 GHz, a 0.50 GHz difference.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-4430S has a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache, compared to the 4 MB shared L3 cache on the Intel Core i5-4670R.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-4670R features Intel Iris? Pro 5200, while the Intel Core i5-4430S uses Intel HD 4600.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond their benchmark scores. The Intel Core i5-4670R has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, whereas the Intel Core i5-4430S operates at 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The 4670R uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket, while the 4430S uses the standard Intel Socket 1150. The L3 cache also differs: the 4670R has 4 MB shared, while the 4430S has 6 MB shared.

The 4670R has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the 4430S is multiplier-locked. The integrated graphics units are different, with the 4670R featuring Intel Iris? Pro 5200 and the 4430S featuring Intel HD 4600. The 4430S explicitly lists PCIe Gen 3 support and dual-channel memory bus, while these fields are not provided for the 4670R. The 4430S has a part number (SR14M), while the 4670R does not list one. Both share the same 65 W TDP, 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, 177 mm² die size, and DDR3 memory support.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Haswell architecture, use the same 22 nm process node, and are manufactured by Intel. They share the same transistor count of 1,400 million and the same die size of 177 mm². The core and thread configuration is identical at 4 cores and 4 threads, and both have the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. The generation is listed as Core i5 (Haswell) for both.

The architectural differences are limited to cache and features. The 4670R has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 4430S has 6 MB. This 2 MB difference in the last-level cache could influence performance in workloads with large working sets, though the benchmark data does not show the 4430S winning any test. The integrated graphics differ, with the 4670R using the higher-tier Intel Iris? Pro 5200 and the 4430S using Intel HD 4600. The 4670R has an unlocked multiplier, which is a feature typically reserved for performance-oriented SKUs, while the 4430S is locked. The socket difference — BGA 1364 versus Socket 1150 — also implies different platform requirements, with the 4430S being compatible with a wider range of standard desktop motherboards.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4670R wins in every scenario where raw CPU performance is the deciding factor. Its consistent 20% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 — both single-core and multi-core — makes it the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any other task that scales with clock speed. The unlocked multiplier adds further value for enthusiasts who are willing to overclock, potentially extending its lead even further. The Intel Iris? Pro 5200 integrated graphics also give the 4670R an edge for systems that will rely on the iGPU for display output or light graphics work.

The Intel Core i5-4430S, while slower in every direct benchmark comparison, has its own niche. Its standard Socket 1150 makes it a practical upgrade for existing systems, as it can be installed into a wide range of motherboards without needing a new board. The larger 6 MB L3 cache could theoretically benefit cache-heavy workloads, though the data does not show any test where this translates into a win. The 4430S also has documented Geekbench scores — 2773 multicore and 980 singlecore — which are not available for the 4670R, suggesting it may have been more commonly tested in general-purpose computing scenarios. For users who need a functional quad-core Haswell chip that drops into a standard desktop platform, the 4430S is the only option of the two. For anyone building a new system or upgrading with performance as the priority, the 4670R is the unequivocal winner.