Intel Core i5-4430S vs Intel Core i7-3610QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-4430S and the Intel Core i7-3610QM splits sharply along workload type. The i7-3610QM wins all six Cinebench tests, while the i5-4430S wins both Geekbench tests. The margins are large in both directions, making this a processor pair defined by divergent strengths.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3610QM scores 440 against 373 for the i5-4430S, a 15.2% advantage. The single-core test shows a similar gap: 62 versus 52, which is 16.1% ahead. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern with 1836 against 1558, a 15.1% lead, and the single-core result is 259 versus 219, a 15.4% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore records 4373 against 3710, again 15.2% ahead, while the single-core score is 617 versus 523, also 15.2%. Every Cinebench result lands within a narrow band of 15.1% to 16.1%, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage for the i7-3610QM in this rendering workload.

Geekbench flips the outcome decisively. The i5-4430S scores 2773 in multicore against 1831 for the i7-3610QM, a 51.4% lead. The single-core gap is even wider: 980 versus 537, an 82.5% advantage. These are not marginal differences; the i5-4430S more than doubles the i7-3610QM's single-core Geekbench score. The database also records average benchmark scores of 1274 for the i5-4430S and 1244 for the i7-3610QM, placing them within 2.4% of each other overall, despite the lopsided individual tests.

Percentile rankings reinforce the near-parity in overall standing. The i5-4430S sits at the 35th percentile across all CPUs, while the i7-3610QM sits at the 34th. Their nearest rivals confirm the positioning: the i5-4430S is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Atom x7425E and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4670T, while the i7-3610QM is 0.7% ahead of the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i3-8109U.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and use 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ slightly: the i5-4430S measures 177 mm², while the i7-3610QM measures 160 mm². The underlying architectures belong to different generations. The i5-4430S uses the Haswell architecture with the codename Haswell, while the i7-3610QM uses Ivy Bridge with the codename Ivy Bridge.

Core counts are identical at 4, but thread counts differ. The i5-4430S supports 4 threads, while the i7-3610QM supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading. Cache layouts match at the L1 and L2 levels: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache.

The memory support is DDR3 with a dual-channel bus for both. The i7-3610QM lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4430S does not have a bandwidth figure recorded. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, with the i7-3610QM specifying 16 lanes on the CPU only. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Integrated graphics differ. The i5-4430S carries Intel HD 4600, while the i7-3610QM carries Intel HD 4000. The production status also differs: the i7-3610QM is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4430S has no production status listed. The i5-4430S targets the desktop segment with an Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3610QM targets mobile with an Intel Socket G2 (988B). The i5-4430S released on 2013-06-01, and the i7-3610QM released on 2012-04-22.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3610QM wins every Cinebench test in the database. This covers R15, R20, and R23 in both multicore and single-core variants. The margins are consistent, ranging from 15.1% to 16.1%. The 8-thread configuration explains the multicore advantage, but the single-core lead is notable too, since the i5-4430S has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz against 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz against 3.30 GHz. Despite the lower base clock, the i7-3610QM still posts higher single-core Cinebench scores.

The i5-4430S wins Geekbench multicore and single-core by wide margins. The multicore score of 2773 is 51.4% higher than 1831, and the single-core score of 980 is 82.5% higher than 537. This is the largest single discrepancy in the entire comparison. The i5-4430S also holds a small edge in average benchmark score, 1274 versus 1244, and a one-point percentile advantage, 35 versus 34.

For rendering workloads measured by Cinebench, the i7-3610QM is the stronger processor. For Geekbench workloads, which stress different aspects of the CPU, the i5-4430S is dramatically stronger. Users should choose based on which benchmark family better represents their actual applications.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The base clocks are 2.70 GHz for the i5-4430S and 2.30 GHz for the i7-3610QM. The boost clocks are 3.20 GHz and 3.30 GHz respectively. Thread counts are 4 versus 8. The TDP is 65 watts for the i5-4430S and 45 watts for the i7-3610QM.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5-4430S and Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-3610QM. The architectures are Haswell versus Ivy Bridge. The die size is 177 mm² versus 160 mm². The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 versus Intel HD 4000. The market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. The part numbers are SR14M and SR0MN.

The memory bandwidth is listed only for the i7-3610QM at 25.6 GB/s. The release dates are 2013-06-01 for the i5-4430S and 2012-04-22 for the i7-3610QM. The i7-3610QM has a launch MSRP of $378. The i7-3610QM is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4430S has no production status recorded. Both use the same process node, transistor count, L1 cache, L2 cache, L3 cache, memory type, memory bus width, ECC support, PCIe generation, and multiplier lock state.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4430S has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: How much faster is the i7-3610QM in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-3610QM scores 4373 against 3710 for the i5-4430S, which is 15.2% ahead.

Q: Which processor wins Geekbench multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4430S wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 2773 against 1831 for the i7-3610QM, a 51.4% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The i5-4430S has a TDP of 65 watts, and the i7-3610QM has a TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Do both processors use the same process node?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and use 1,400 million transistors.

Q: What integrated graphics do they have?

A: The i5-4430S has Intel HD 4600, while the i7-3610QM has Intel HD 4000.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different processors. The Intel Core i7-3610QM is the clear choice for Cinebench-based rendering workloads. It wins all six Cinebench tests with margins between 15.1% and 16.1%, and it does so while consuming 45 watts against 65 watts. It also offers 8 threads, double the i5-4430S's 4 threads, and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz that edges out the i5-4430S's 3.20 GHz.

The Intel Core i5-4430S is the choice for Geekbench-based workloads. Its 82.5% single-core lead and 51.4% multicore lead over the i7-3610QM are decisive. It also has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and a newer Haswell architecture. Its average benchmark score of 1274 slightly exceeds the i7-3610QM's 1244, and it sits at the 35th percentile versus the 34th.

The i7-3610QM is a mobile part with end-of-life status and a launch MSRP of $378. The i5-4430S is a desktop part with no recorded launch MSRP. Buyers with rendering-oriented tasks should favor the i7-3610QM, while buyers with Geekbench-sensitive workloads should favor the i5-4430S. Both processors land within one percentile point of each other in the global ranking, so the overall performance tier is similar, but the workload-specific outcomes could not be more different.