Intel Core i3-4000M

Intel Core i3-4000M is a dual-core mobile processor from Intel's Haswell generation, released in September 2013. It operates at a base clock of 2.40 GHz with no boost capability, and its benchmark data places it in the 17th percentile of all CPUs, indicating a modest performance tier. The processor carries an average benchmark score of 682 across the suite of tests, with a TDP of 37 watts and integration of Intel HD 4600 graphics, positioning it as a mainstream laptop part from its era.

How It Compares

The nearest rival to the Core i3-4000M is the Intel Xeon E5472, which posts an identical average score of 682, producing a delta of 0%. This parity is notable because the Xeon E5472 is a server-oriented processor, while the i3-4000M targets mobile systems, yet their benchmark results are indistinguishable. In practical terms, the data shows the i3-4000M delivers the same overall compute throughput as that older Xeon part.

Next is the Intel Xeon X5365, with an average score of 682 and a delta of 0.1%, meaning the i3-4000M trails by one-tenth of a percent. This is effectively a tie, with the difference falling within measurement noise. The benchmark results indicate that the i3-4000M matches the X5365's performance despite the latter being a multi-socket server chip, which underscores the efficiency of the Haswell architecture in a mobile power envelope.

The Intel Celeron G3950 sits slightly ahead, scoring 683 with a delta of -0.1%, indicating the i3-4000M is 0.1% slower. This margin is negligible, and the two processors are functionally equivalent in the tested workloads. The comparison is interesting because the G3950 is a desktop Kaby Lake part, yet it aligns closely with the older mobile i3 in overall benchmark output.

Finally, the Intel Core m5-6Y57 achieves an average score of 684, with a delta of -0.2%, making it the fastest rival in this group. The i3-4000M is 0.2% behind, a gap that is inconsequential in real-world use. The m5-6Y57 is a low-power fanless chip, while the i3-4000M has a higher TDP, but the benchmark data shows they land in the same performance class.

Power and Thermals

The Core i3-4000M has a TDP of 37 watts, which classifies it as a mid-range mobile processor from the Haswell era. This TDP level is typical for laptops that require a balance between performance and battery life, and it implies the need for a capable air cooler rather than an exotic thermal solution. The 37-watt envelope allows for dual-core operation with Hyper-Threading at 2.40 GHz without requiring active cooling beyond a standard notebook fan assembly.

The 22 nm process node, fabricated by Intel, contributes to the thermal characteristics of this chip. With a die size of 118 mm² and 1,400 million transistors, the i3-4000M packs a moderate density that aligns with its TDP class. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics adds to the thermal load, but the 37-watt budget covers both CPU and GPU components, so the cooling solution must handle combined heat output from the entire package.

For system builders or laptop users, the 37-watt TDP suggests that this processor fits into standard 15-inch laptop chassis designs. It does not require the larger heatsinks or vapor chambers found on high-performance gaming laptops, nor does it fit the passive cooling approach of ultra-low-power parts. The thermal design point is compatible with dual-heatpipe coolers or similar mainstream laptop cooling systems.

Benchmark Performance

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4000M scores 153 points, which is a modest figure given its dual-core, four-thread configuration. This result places it near the bottom of modern desktop CPUs, but for a 2013 mobile part, it reflects the expected performance of a 2.40 GHz Haswell chip. The score aligns with the processor's 17th percentile ranking, confirming that it is not positioned for demanding multi-threaded workloads.

Cinebench R20 multi-core yields a score of 638, while the single-core test produces 89 points. The ratio between these scores shows a multi-thread scaling factor of roughly 7.2x, which is abnormal and likely reflects the R20 test's sensitivity to the low base clock. In contrast, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 1520 and single-core scores 214, giving a scaling factor of 7.1x, which is similarly high due to the single-core score being disproportionately low for a 2.40 GHz processor.

Geekbench results show a multi-core score of 1441 and a single-core score of 718, indicating a scaling factor of 2.0x between single and multi-threaded operations. This is a more realistic representation of the dual-core with Hyper-Threading, suggesting that the Cinebench single-core scores may be limited by the test's specific workload or the processor's thermal behavior. The average benchmark score of 682 places the i3-4000M in a tie with the Xeon E5472, and the deltaPct values against all rivals stay within ±0.2%, meaning the i3-4000M is statistically indistinguishable from its nearest competitors in aggregate performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i3-4000M uses the Intel Socket G3, which is the mobile socket for Haswell-era processors. This socket supports the architecture's dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, and the FACT PACK confirms DDR3 memory support, though the specific bus width or bandwidth is not listed. The lack of ECC memory support indicates this is a consumer-oriented part, not designed for error-correcting workloads.

The processor integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics, which provides display output capabilities without requiring a discrete GPU. The PCIe information is not provided in the data, so no conclusions can be drawn about the number of lanes or generation. The socket G3 platform is tied to the Haswell generation, meaning upgrade paths are limited to other 4th-gen Core mobile processors that also use this socket.

For users considering a platform, the i3-4000M is a soldered or socketed mobile chip depending on the laptop manufacturer's design. The memory support for DDR3 means that older SO-DIMM modules are compatible, but the lack of a listed memory bus speed or bandwidth prevents precise performance expectations. The 22 nm process and 1,400 million transistors indicate a mature manufacturing node that supports the 37-watt TDP.

FAQ

Q: What is the release date of the Intel Core i3-4000M?

A: The processor was released on September 3, 2013, according to the production data.

Q: Does the Core i3-4000M support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed as false, so the processor is not designed for error-correcting memory workloads.

Q: How does the Core i3-4000M compare to the Intel Xeon E5472 in average benchmark score?

A: Both processors have an identical average score of 682, resulting in a delta of 0% between them.

Q: What is the transistor count and die size of the Core i3-4000M?

A: The processor contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 118 mm², fabricated on a 22 nm process.

Q: What integrated graphics does the Core i3-4000M include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, which is integrated into the processor package.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Core i3-4000M have?

A: It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading technology.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Core i3-4000M demonstrates a clear disparity between its single-thread and multi-thread performance across benchmark suites. In Geekbench, the single-core score of 718 and multi-core score of 1441 show a 2.0x scaling, which is the expected behavior for a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading. This indicates that the processor can effectively utilize both cores and four threads, with negligible overhead in parallel workloads.

However, the Cinebench results tell a different story. The R20 single-core score of 89 is exceptionally low relative to the multi-core score of 638, suggesting a scaling factor of 7.2x, which is unrealistic for a dual-core chip. This anomaly may stem from the test's benchmark conditions, such as thermal throttling or power limits that disproportionately affect single-core runs on this mobile platform. The R23 results show a similar pattern with a 7.1x scaling factor, reinforcing this observation.

For real-world applications, the Geekbench data is more representative of typical usage. Single-threaded tasks like web browsing or office applications will rely on the 2.40 GHz base clock, which is modest by modern standards. Multi-threaded tasks, such as video encoding or compilation, will see a 2x improvement from the dual-core design, though the absolute performance remains limited by the low clock speed and the 17th percentile ranking.

The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior suggests that the i3-4000M is best suited for light productivity and media consumption, not for intensive computational work. The Cinebench anomalies indicate that the processor may not sustain peak performance under all conditions, possibly due to the 37-watt TDP constraint. Users should expect consistent performance in basic tasks but should avoid demanding multi-threaded applications where the processor's limitations become apparent.