Intel Core i3-4170T

The Intel Core i3-4170T is a dual-core, four-thread desktop processor based on the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It operates at a fixed 3.20 GHz base clock with no boost capability, placing it in the lower tier of its generation. The data shows an average benchmark score of 1071, which positions the chip at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, a modest standing that reflects its age and dual-core design.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark results reveal a pronounced split between single-thread and multi-thread performance, typical of a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading. In Cinebench R23, the chip scores 375 in the single-core test and 2662 in the multi-core test. That multi-core score is roughly 7.1 times the single-core result, which might seem surprising for a processor with only two physical cores. However, the scaling is not linear; the multi-core figure benefits from the four threads, but the per-core efficiency remains the limiting factor.

In Geekbench, the contrast is starker: a single-core score of 972 versus a multi-core score of 1945. The multi-core result is almost exactly double the single-core score, which is the expected ceiling for a dual-core processor with four threads under ideal scaling. Real-world workloads rarely hit that perfect 2x multiplier, so the actual gains from thread count will be lower. The Cinebench R20 numbers tell a similar story: 157 single-core and 1118 multi-core, a 7.1x ratio that suggests the test suite is able to extract near-maximal throughput from the four threads.

For everyday tasks, this split means the i3-4170T behaves like a competent dual-core for lightly threaded applications, web browsing, office documents, and legacy software, where the 3.20 GHz clock does the heavy lifting. In heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding or 3D rendering, the processor will fall behind quad-core rivals, but the data shows it can still complete the work, just not with the speed of higher-core-count parts. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 268 reinforces this: it is a low absolute number, but the processor is consistent across generations of the Cinebench suite.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power (TDP) is rated at 35 watts, a low figure that places the i3-4170T in the energy-efficient segment of the Haswell lineup. This TDP class implies that a stock cooler with a modest heatsink and a small fan is sufficient; the data does not require anything more elaborate. The 22 nm process node helps keep heat generation in check, and the lack of a boost clock means the processor never exceeds its base frequency, so transient power spikes are not a concern.

The low TDP also has implications for system builders. A motherboard with a basic voltage regulation module can handle this chip without strain, and the cooling solution can be quiet and compact. The 35-watt envelope suggests the processor is well-suited for small form factor builds or home theater PCs where thermal headroom is limited. There is no unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option, which further reinforces the "set and forget" nature of the thermal design. The integrated Intel HD 4400 graphics add to the package, but the iGPU's load is not factored into the TDP rating, so a system with heavy graphics use might run slightly warmer than the 35-watt figure suggests.

Platform and Compatibility

The i3-4170T uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform, which was the mainstream socket for the Haswell generation. The architecture is natively supported by motherboards with the appropriate 8-series or 9-series chipsets, and the socket provides a clear upgrade path within the same generation: users can move to higher-tier Haswell processors without changing the board. The memory support is DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This is the standard for the platform, and the bandwidth is sufficient for the processor's dual-core design.

ECC memory is not supported, which limits the chip to consumer and entry-level workstation builds rather than mission-critical servers. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. This is a single full-length slot's worth of lanes, so a discrete graphics card will run at the full x16 bandwidth, but multi-GPU configurations would be constrained by the limited lane count. The processor includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4400, which is a capable solution for basic display output and light media playback, but not for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads. The production status is end-of-life, and the release date was in early 2015, so new stock is scarce, but used and refurbished units remain available on the secondary market.

How It Compares

Against the AMD Opteron 3380, the i3-4170T is a statistical dead heat. Both processors achieve an average benchmark score of 1071, with a delta of 0%. The Opteron is a server-oriented part, while the i3-4170T is a desktop chip, but the data shows they perform identically in the aggregate benchmark suite.

The Intel Core i5-2310 also matches the i3-4170T exactly, with an average score of 1071 and a 0% delta. This is notable because the i5-2310 is a quad-core part without Hyper-Threading, while the i3-4170T is a dual-core with Hyper-Threading. The results indicate that the i3-4170T's higher clock speed and newer architecture compensate for the core count disadvantage.

The AMD Athlon X4 880K ties the i3-4170T as well, again with a 1071 average score and 0% delta. The Athlon is a quad-core processor, but its architecture is older and less efficient per clock, so the i3-4170T's dual-core design with four threads manages to match it.

The closest rival by a hair is the Intel Core i5-4440S, which scores 1070, resulting in a delta of 0.1% in favor of the i3-4170T. This is a negligible difference, well within run-to-run variance, but it means the i3-4170T is technically the faster part in this comparison. The i5-4440S is a lower-power variant of a quad-core chip, so the i3-4170T's ability to edge it out is a testament to the efficiency of the Haswell dual-core design.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data shows a processor that is consistent across all tested suites, with no single workload where it dramatically overperforms or underperforms its peers. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score of 2662 and single-core score of 375 are the highest absolute numbers in the dataset, but they are still low in absolute terms, the processor sits at the 29th percentile overall.

The Geekbench results, 1945 multi-core and 972 single-core, are more modest. A single-core score of 972 is typical for a 3.20 GHz Haswell part, and the multi-core score of 1945 shows that the dual-core design with Hyper-Threading can nearly double the throughput when all threads are active. The Cinebench R20 scores of 1118 multi-core and 157 single-core follow the same pattern, with the multi-core result being approximately 7.1x the single-core figure, matching the R23 ratios exactly.

Against the nearest rivals, the i3-4170T's performance is essentially identical to the AMD Opteron 3380, Intel Core i5-2310, and AMD Athlon X4 880K, all three share the exact average score of 1071. The only differentiation comes from the Intel Core i5-4440S, which trails by 0.1% with a score of 1070. This 0.1% delta is so small that it would not be perceptible in real-world use, but it does mean the i3-4170T is at the top of its immediate comparison group.

The average benchmark score of 1071 is the baseline for this performance tier, and the processor's percentile ranking of 29 indicates that it is faster than roughly three out of ten CPUs in the database. This is not a high-performance part, but the data shows it holds its own against several quad-core rivals from the same era, making it a reasonable choice for budget-conscious builds that prioritize low power consumption over raw throughput.