Intel Core i5-4670 vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400T and Intel Core i5-4670 are both quad-core desktop processors, yet they represent opposite ends of the design spectrum within their respective generations. The i5-7400T is a 35W Kaby Lake part focused on efficiency, while the i5-4670 is an 84W Haswell part aimed at raw performance. Benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance gap: the i5-4670 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the i5-7400T trailing by roughly 14-15% in every test. Despite this, the i5-7400T offers a newer platform, DDR4 memory support, and a significantly lower thermal envelope, making the choice between them a matter of workload and system constraints rather than outright capability.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split is decisively in favor of the Intel Core i5-4670. Across every benchmark category—Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core—the i5-4670 emerges victorious. The data shows a consistent deltaPct of approximately -14.5% for the i5-7400T, meaning the Haswell chip outperforms the Kaby Lake part by a margin that is uniform across all tested workloads. This consistency suggests that the i5-4670’s higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and 3.00 GHz) provide a straightforward arithmetic advantage that the i5-7400T’s architectural refinements cannot overcome.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the i5-4670 is the clear winner. In multi-threaded tasks like Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-4670 scores 4,660 versus the i5-7400T’s 3,981, a difference of 679 points. The same pattern holds for single-threaded performance, where the i5-4670 scores 657 versus 562 in Cinebench R23 single-core. There is no workload category in the data where the i5-7400T takes the lead.

However, the i5-7400T wins in the areas not covered by raw benchmark scores: power consumption and platform modernity. With a TDP of 35 watts compared to the i5-4670’s 84 watts, the i5-7400T draws less than half the thermal power. This makes it suitable for compact, low-noise builds where cooling and electricity use are primary concerns. Additionally, the i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory and uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform, whereas the i5-4670 is limited to DDR3 and the older Intel Socket 1150. For a new system builder, the i5-7400T offers a more current foundation, even if its computational performance lags.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-7400T is built on Kaby Lake, Intel’s 14 nm process, while the i5-4670 uses Haswell on a 22 nm process. This generational gap explains the i5-7400T’s superior power efficiency: the 14 nm node allows for the same four cores and four threads at a much lower TDP. The i5-4670 uses 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i5-7400T’s transistor count and die size are not specified in the data, but the process shrink is evident from its thermal characteristics.

Both processors share the same core and thread count (4 cores, 4 threads) and identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The memory support differs, with the i5-7400T supporting DDR4 at a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4670 supports DDR3 with no bandwidth figure provided. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-7400T also features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4670 lists PCIe Gen 3 without specifying lane count.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-7400T includes HD 630, while the i5-4670 has Intel HD 4600. Both are desktop parts with locked multipliers, but the i5-7400T is listed as Active in production status, whereas the i5-4670 has no production status listed. The release dates are separated by roughly three and a half years, with the i5-7400T launching in January 2017 and the i5-4670 in June 2013. These architectural differences explain why the newer, more efficient part cannot match the older chip’s performance: the i5-4670 compensates for its larger process node with significantly higher clock speeds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4670 scores 469 against the i5-7400T’s 401, a delta of -14.5% for the latter. Single-core R15 shows a similar gap: 66 versus 56, a -15.2% difference. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i5-4670 leads multi-core 1,957 to 1,672 (-14.6%) and single-core 275 to 236 (-14.2%). In the most recent Cinebench R23 tests, the i5-4670 posts 4,660 multi-core and 657 single-core, while the i5-7400T manages 3,981 and 562, respectively, with deltas of -14.6% and -14.5%.

The consistency of these margins is notable. The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core at -15.2%, while the smallest is Cinebench R20 single-core at -14.2%, a spread of just one percentage point. This uniformity suggests that the performance difference is driven primarily by clock speed rather than workload-specific architectural strengths or weaknesses. The i5-4670’s 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost clocks provide a roughly 40% higher clock rate than the i5-7400T’s 2.40 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost, but the actual benchmark advantage is only about 14-15%, indicating that the Kaby Lake architecture partially compensates for its lower clocks through improved instructions per clock.

Notably, the i5-7400T has Geekbench scores (2,864 multi-core and 1,014 single-core) that are not available for the i5-4670 in the data, so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the average benchmark score for both processors is nearly identical: 1,348 for the i5-7400T and 1,347 for the i5-4670. This average is skewed by the inclusion of Geekbench results for the i5-7400T, which are not matched for the i5-4670. The nearest rivals for both parts confirm their market positioning: the i5-7400T sits alongside the Intel Xeon W-2104 (avg score 1,350, delta -0.1%) and the i5-4590T (avg score 1,340, delta 0.6%), while the i5-4670 is flanked by the same Xeon (delta -0.2%) and i5-4590T (delta 0.5%).

The Verdict

The data dictates a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i5-4670 is the superior performer in every benchmark category tested. If the primary criterion is computational speed—whether for rendering, encoding, or general processing—the i5-4670 is the unequivocal choice. Its 14-15% lead across all Cinebench versions is consistent and substantial, translating directly to faster completion times for CPU-bound tasks. The i5-4670 also holds a slight edge in the nearest rival comparison, with its deltaPct against the i5-7400T listed at -0.1% from the perspective of the i5-7400T, meaning the two are effectively tied on average score but the i5-4670 wins every direct benchmark.

The Intel Core i5-7400T, however, is not without merit. Its 35W TDP makes it a compelling option for systems where heat output and power draw are critical constraints, such as small form factor PCs or always-on servers. The support for DDR4 memory and the Intel Socket 1151 platform provide a more modern upgrade path, and the integrated HD 630 graphics are a generation newer than the i5-4670’s HD 4600. For users building a new system from scratch with a focus on efficiency and platform longevity, the i5-7400T is the more sensible choice, provided they are willing to accept a measurable performance penalty.

There is no scenario in the data where the i5-7400T wins a performance comparison. The i5-4670’s higher clocks and older architecture simply deliver more compute throughput. The i5-7400T’s wins are qualitative—power, platform, and efficiency—and are not reflected in any benchmark score. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether the user prioritizes raw speed (i5-4670) or operational efficiency and modern features (i5-7400T). The benchmark data favors the i5-4670 without exception.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4670 is faster in all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4,660 versus the i5-7400T’s 3,981, a -14.6% difference. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 (469 vs. 401) and R20 (1,957 vs. 1,672).

Q: What is the performance gap in single-core tests?

A: The i5-4670 leads in single-core by a consistent margin of roughly 14-15%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-4670 scores 657 versus 562 for the i5-7400T (-14.5%). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap is 66 versus 56 (-15.2%).

Q: How do the power requirements compare?

A: The i5-7400T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-4670 has a TDP of 84 watts. This makes the i5-7400T significantly more power-efficient, using less than half the thermal design power of the i5-4670.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4670 supports DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the memory types and platforms are incompatible.

Q: Are the core and thread counts identical?

A: Yes, both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share identical cache configurations: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The average benchmark score for the i5-7400T is 1,348, and for the i5-4670 it is 1,347. These averages are nearly identical, but the i5-7400T’s average includes Geekbench scores (2,864 multi-core, 1,014 single-core) that are not available for the i5-4670.