Intel Core i5-4430S vs Intel Core i7-3615QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4430S and Intel Core i7-3615QM are two older Intel parts that end up in very different places despite similar average benchmark scores. The i5-4430S averages 1274 points, while the i7-3615QM averages 1260, making them nearly identical in overall performance. However, this is a classic case where the average hides the real story: the i7-3615QM wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-4430S wins the two Geekbench tests by massive margins. The i5-4430S is the desktop chip for single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench performance, while the i7-3615QM is the mobile chip for sustained multi-core rendering work.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload. If your priority is Geekbench scores or any application that scales with that benchmark’s characteristics, the Intel Core i5-4430S is the pick. It beats the i7-3615QM by 45.4% in Geekbench multi-core and by a staggering 76.9% in Geekbench single-core. That is not a marginal edge; it is a generational gap in those specific tests.

For anything Cinebench-related, the Intel Core i7-3615QM is the winner. It leads in all six Cinebench tests, with deltas between -15.5% and -16.1% relative to the i5-4430S. The i7-3615QM’s 8 threads give it a consistent edge in multi-threaded rendering, and its higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz helps it win single-core Cinebench tests too, despite a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz.

The i5-4430S is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3615QM is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1224. This is not a choice between two CPUs you can swap in the same machine. If you are building or upgrading a desktop, the i5-4430S is the relevant target. If you are working with a laptop or an all-in-one, the i7-3615QM is your only option. The i5-4430S also has a higher TDP of 65 watts versus 45 watts for the i7-3615QM, which is worth noting for cooling, but both are older parts that are well within modern cooling capabilities.

Architecture Differences

The i5-4430S is built on the Haswell architecture, while the i7-3615QM uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture. Both are manufactured on Intel’s 22 nm process node, and both pack 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ slightly: the i5-4430S has a 177 mm² die, while the i7-3615QM has a 160 mm² die. This means the i5-4430S packs the same transistor count into a larger area, which is consistent with the newer Haswell design.

Core counts are identical at 4 physical cores, but the threading situation is different. The i5-4430S has 4 threads, while the i7-3615QM has 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. This is the single biggest architectural difference that explains the Cinebench results. The cache configuration is the same on paper: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-4430S integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i7-3615QM has Intel HD 4000.

The i5-4430S supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus and has PCIe Gen 3. The i7-3615QM also has a dual-channel memory bus, but its memory support and PCIe generation are not specified in the data. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-4430S was released on 2013-06-01, while the i7-3615QM came earlier on 2012-04-28.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3615QM wins in all Cinebench tests, which are heavily multi-threaded rendering workloads. The advantage is consistent, with the i5-4430S trailing by 15.5% to 16.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. The 8 threads of the i7-3615QM are the clear driver here, as the extra logical cores allow it to process more render tasks in parallel. Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the i7-3615QM’s higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz gives it a small but consistent edge.

The i5-4430S wins decisively in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2773 versus 1907 for the i7-3615QM, a 45.4% lead. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 980 versus 554, a 76.9% lead. These are not close results. The i5-4430S’s newer Haswell architecture clearly has a significant IPC advantage over Ivy Bridge in this benchmark. The i5-4430S also has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, which helps in lightly threaded workloads that do not boost.

So the practical split is this: choose the i5-4430S for Geekbench-style workloads, general desktop responsiveness, and any application that favors newer architecture IPC. Choose the i7-3615QM for Cinebench-style rendering, video encoding, or any multi-threaded task that can utilize 8 threads.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance in Cinebench?

A: The Intel Core i7-3615QM wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 442 in Cinebench R15, 1845 in R20, and 4393 in R23, versus 373, 1558, and 3710 for the i5-4430S. The i7-3615QM leads by 15.5% to 15.6% in these tests.

Q: Is the i5-4430S better at single-core Geekbench?

A: Yes, dramatically. The i5-4430S scores 980 in Geekbench single-core, while the i7-3615QM scores 554. That is a 76.9% advantage for the i5-4430S.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. The difference is in threads: the i5-4430S has 4 threads, while the i7-3615QM has 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-3615QM has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, slightly higher than the i5-4430S’s 3.20 GHz. However, the i5-4430S has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?

A: No. The i5-4430S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3615QM uses Intel BGA 1224. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4430S has Intel HD 4600, while the i7-3615QM has Intel HD 4000. The data does not include graphics benchmarks, so the performance difference is not quantified.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Geekbench single-core test. The i5-4430S scores 980, while the i7-3615QM scores 554. That 76.9% delta is the largest margin in either direction. This is a massive architectural win for Haswell over Ivy Bridge in this workload. The i5-4430S also wins Geekbench multi-core with 2773 against 1907, a 45.4% lead. These two wins are enough to make the i5-4430S the better choice for any Geekbench-centric evaluation.

The i7-3615QM dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 442 versus 373, a 15.6% lead. In single-core, it scores 62 versus 52, a 16.1% lead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multi-core 1845 versus 1558 and single-core 260 versus 219, both at 15.6% and 15.8% deltas respectively. Cinebench R23 shows the same story: multi-core 4393 versus 3710 and single-core 620 versus 523, with deltas of 15.5% and 15.6%.

The consistency of the i7-3615QM’s Cinebench wins is notable. Across all six Cinebench subtests, the delta never deviates far from 15% to 16%. This suggests a fundamental throughput advantage, likely from the 8 threads, rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i5-4430S’s Geekbench wins are even more consistent in their dominance, with deltas of 45.4% and 76.9% that dwarf the Cinebench margins.

In terms of overall wins, the i7-3615QM takes 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests. However, the i5-4430S wins the two tests with the largest margins. This is a classic quantity-versus-magnitude trade-off. If you weight all benchmarks equally, the i7-3615QM looks better. If you weight by performance delta, the i5-4430S’s Geekbench wins are so large that they may be more impactful for certain users.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on several key specifications. The i5-4430S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz, while the i7-3615QM has a base clock of 2.30 GHz. The boost clocks are closer: 3.20 GHz for the i5-4430S and 3.30 GHz for the i7-3615QM. The i5-4430S has a TDP of 65 watts, which is higher than the i7-3615QM’s 45 watts.

The sockets are completely different. The i5-4430S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3615QM uses Intel BGA 1224. The i5-4430S is a desktop part, while the i7-3615QM is a mobile part. The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4430S versus Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3615QM. The i5-4430S supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-3615QM’s PCIe generation is not listed.

The die sizes differ: 177 mm² for the i5-4430S and 160 mm² for the i7-3615QM, both with 1,400 million transistors. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Both use dual-channel memory, but the i5-4430S lists DDR3 support while the i7-3615QM’s memory support is not specified. Neither supports ECC, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR14M for the i5-4430S and SR0MP for the i7-3615QM.