Intel Core i5-4430S vs Intel Core i7-3770T Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770T and Intel Core i5-4430S are two desktop processors from different generations, with the i7-3770T based on Ivy Bridge and the i5-4430S on Haswell. The recorded data shows a clear split in benchmark performance: the i7-3770T dominates Cinebench tests, while the i5-4430S takes a decisive lead in Geekbench. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architecture differences, and the workloads where each processor has the advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results show the i7-3770T winning 6 of 8 tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3770T scores 464 against 373 for the i5-4430S, a 24.4% lead. The single-core test shows a similar margin: 65 vs 52, a 25% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core follows the pattern: 1936 vs 1558, a 24.3% lead, and single-core 273 vs 219, a 24.7% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 4611 vs 3710, a 24.3% lead, and single-core 651 vs 523, a 24.5% lead. The i7-3770T is consistently ahead by roughly a quarter in every Cinebench test.

The i5-4430S strikes back in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4430S scores 2773 against 1916 for the i7-3770T, a 30.9% lead. The single-core gap is even larger: 980 vs 592, a 39.6% lead. These are substantial margins, and they flip the overall picture. The average benchmark score for the i7-3770T is 1314, while the i5-4430S sits at 1274, so the i7-3770T holds a slight edge in the aggregate, but the Geekbench results show that the i5-4430S is far ahead in that specific workload.

The pattern is unambiguous: the i7-3770T wins every Cinebench test, and the i5-4430S wins every Geekbench test. The i7-3770T's margins are consistent, ranging from 24.3% to 25%, while the i5-4430S's margins are larger, at 30.9% and 39.6%. This suggests that the i5-4430S has a more pronounced advantage in the Geekbench workload than the i7-3770T has in Cinebench. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating similar overall standing, but the head-to-head data reveals a distinct workload-dependent split.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770T has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4430S has 4 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The i7-3770T boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the i5-4430S boosts to 3.20 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-3770T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the i5-4430S.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The i7-3770T scores 4611, which is 24.3% ahead of the i5-4430S's 3710.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-4430S wins with a score of 980, a 39.6% lead over the i7-3770T's 592.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i7-3770T has a TDP of 45W, while the i5-4430S has a TDP of 65W.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process and use 1,400 million transistors, but the die sizes differ: the i7-3770T measures 160 mm², while the i5-4430S is 177 mm². The i7-3770T is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i5-4430S uses Haswell. The i7-3770T has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4430S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The L3 cache is 8 MB on the i7-3770T and 6 MB on the i5-4430S. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the i7-3770T and 2.70 GHz for the i5-4430S, while boost clocks are 3.70 GHz and 3.20 GHz respectively. The i7-3770T has a TDP of 45W, the i5-4430S 65W. The i7-3770T uses Socket 1155, the i5-4430S Socket 1150. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3770T, Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4430S. PCIe support is Gen 3 on both, but the i7-3770T specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4430S simply lists Gen 3. Both support DDR3 dual-channel memory, do not support ECC, and have locked multipliers. The i7-3770T was released in April 2012, the i5-4430S in June 2013.

The thread count difference is a key architectural distinction. The i7-3770T's 8 threads versus the i5-4430S's 4 threads aligns with its multi-core Cinebench advantage. The L3 cache difference (8 MB vs 6 MB) also favors the i7-3770T. The i5-4430S has a higher base clock (2.70 vs 2.50) and a newer architecture (Haswell vs Ivy Bridge), but the benchmark data shows the i7-3770T ahead in the majority of tests. The TDP difference is notable: 45W for the i7-3770T versus 65W for the i5-4430S, which may be relevant for systems with limited cooling or power budgets.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. The i7-3770T wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, with margins between 24.3% and 25%. It also has a higher average benchmark score (1314 vs 1274) and a lower TDP (45W vs 65W). The i5-4430S, however, wins both Geekbench tests by large margins: 30.9% in multi-core and 39.6% in single-core. For workloads that resemble Cinebench, the i7-3770T is the stronger choice. For workloads that resemble Geekbench, the i5-4430S is clearly ahead. The i7-3770T also offers twice the thread count, which aligns with its multi-core Cinebench advantage. The i5-4430S has a higher base clock (2.70 vs 2.50) and a newer architecture (Haswell vs Ivy Bridge), but that does not translate into Cinebench wins. Ultimately, the i7-3770T is the better all-round performer in the majority of tests, but the i5-4430S is the winner in Geekbench-specific scenarios.

Specification Differences

| Specification | i7-3770T | i5-4430S |

|---------------|----------|----------|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Die size | 160 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 cache | 8 MB | 6 MB |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 4600 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Release date | 2012-04-28 | 2013-06-01 |

| Part number | SR0PQ | SR14M |

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770T wins every Cinebench test, both single and multi-core, with margins from 24.3% to 25%. This makes it the better choice for workloads that align with the Cinebench tests. The i5-4430S wins both Geekbench tests, with a 30.9% lead in multi-core and a 39.6% lead in single-core. For general-purpose tasks that resemble Geekbench, the i5-4430S is the stronger performer. The i7-3770T also has a lower TDP (45W vs 65W) and a higher boost clock (3.70 vs 3.20), which may be relevant for systems with limited cooling or power budgets. The i5-4430S has a higher base clock (2.70 vs 2.50) and a newer architecture, but the benchmark data shows the i7-3770T ahead in the majority of tests. The i7-3770T is the pick for Cinebench-like workloads, while the i5-4430S is the pick for Geekbench-like workloads.