Intel Core i3-4340
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-4340 Specifications
Core i3-4340 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-4340 features 2 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-4340 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-4340 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-4340 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-4340 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-4340 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-4340's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Haswell Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-4340 is built on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-4340 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Haswell Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-4340 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-4340 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 54W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1150 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-4340 uses the Intel Socket 1150 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1150 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-4340 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-4340 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-4340 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-4340 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-4340 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-4340 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-4340 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Core i3-4340
The Intel Core i3-4340 is a dual-core, four-thread desktop processor built on the Haswell architecture and fabricated on Intel's 22 nm process. With a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a 54 W TDP, it occupies a specific niche in the Socket 1150 ecosystem. Benchmark results place it at the 27th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1018. Its Cinebench R23 scores—2958 multi-core and 417 single-core—reveal a part that is substantially stronger in single-threaded workloads relative to its multi-threaded performance, a characteristic typical of its dual-core design. The processor contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, and its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics provide basic display output without a discrete GPU.
Who Should Consider It
The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the i3-4340 is a single-threaded specialist. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 417 and R20 single-core score of 175 indicate that applications relying on one or two threads will run smoothly. Office productivity suites, web browsing, spreadsheet manipulation, and document editing are all well within the capabilities of this processor, as these workloads rarely scale beyond a couple of threads. Users who primarily engage in these tasks will find the 3.60 GHz base clock delivers responsive interaction without perceptible lag.
For gaming, the i3-4340 can handle older titles and less demanding e-sports games that favor single-core performance. The Cinebench R20 single-core score of 175 is respectable for its era, and many competitive games from the mid-2010s run adequately on dual-core processors. However, modern AAA titles that leverage multiple cores will encounter a bottleneck. The multi-core scores tell the story: Cinebench R23 multi-core of 2958, R20 multi-core of 1242, and R15 multi-core of 298. These numbers are modest compared to quad-core or higher parts, indicating that frame pacing in multi-threaded game engines will suffer.
Content creation is the weakest area for this processor. Video encoding, 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking all scale with core count, and the 2-core/4-thread configuration is a significant constraint. The 27th percentile ranking among all CPUs underscores that this is not a high-throughput part. Users who need sustained multi-core performance for rendering or compiling should look elsewhere on the Socket 1150 platform. Conversely, users who run single-threaded legacy applications or light multitasking will find the i3-4340 entirely adequate. The data suggests it is a pragmatic choice for a basic desktop build where cost is secondary and single-thread responsiveness is the priority.
Platform and Compatibility
The i3-4340 uses the Intel Socket 1150, which is the platform for Haswell desktop processors. The architecture is codenamed Haswell, with a process node of 22 nm. Memory support is limited to DDR3, operating in dual-channel mode, and ECC memory is not supported—a consideration for users who require error-correcting memory for data integrity. The processor provides PCIe Gen 3 connectivity, which is sufficient for the graphics cards and expansion cards of its generation, though it does not support newer PCIe standards.
The integrated graphics are handled by the Intel HD 4600, which supports basic display output and video playback but is not designed for gaming. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option; the part number is SR1NL. This is a desktop market segment processor, released in 2013, indicating that the platform is mature and well-documented. The upgrade path within Socket 1150 involves moving to a higher-tier processor that also fits the socket, though specific models are not detailed in the data. Users should verify motherboard BIOS compatibility for any potential upgrades, as the platform is older.
The lack of ECC support and the use of DDR3 memory are important factors for modern builds, as DDR3 is an older memory standard. The dual-channel memory bus is standard for the era, but bandwidth is not listed in the data. The transistor count of 1,400 million and die size of 177 mm² provide a sense of the physical complexity, but the platform's age means users should consider the availability of compatible motherboards and memory. The PCIe Gen 3 support is a positive, as it matches the capabilities of many discrete GPUs from the same period. Overall, the platform is coherent for its time, but it is not a forward-looking choice for future expansion.
How It Compares
vs Intel Core i3-4330: The i3-4330 has an average benchmark score of 1018, identical to the i3-4340's 1018, with a deltaPct of 0. This means the two parts perform exactly the same in aggregate benchmarks. The only difference between them is not specified in the data, but the scores are indistinguishable. Users should treat them as interchangeable in terms of performance, and any decision between them would hinge on factors other than raw compute capability.
vs Intel Core i5-4300M: The i5-4300M scores 1020 on average, giving a deltaPct of -0.2 relative to the i3-4340. This indicates the i3-4340 is 0.2% slower than the i5-4300M. The i5-4300M is a mobile processor, so this comparison is notable because the desktop i3-4340 nearly matches a mobile i5 in average score. The 0.2% difference is negligible in real-world usage, meaning the i3-4340 offers desktop-level single-thread performance comparable to a mobile i5.
vs Intel Core i5-2300: The i5-2300 has an average score of 1013, with a deltaPct of 0.5. This means the i3-4340 is 0.5% faster than the i5-2300. The i5-2300 is an older quad-core part, yet the dual-core i3-4340 manages to edge it out in aggregate benchmarks. This is likely due to the i3-4340's superior single-thread performance, which compensates for its lower core count. The data shows that architecture efficiency can overcome a core deficit in certain workloads.
vs AMD Phenom II X6 1075T: The Phenom II X6 1075T scores 1024, with a deltaPct of -0.6. The i3-4340 is 0.6% slower than this six-core AMD processor. Despite having only two cores, the i3-4340's per-core performance nearly closes the gap with a six-core part. This illustrates the efficiency of the Haswell architecture, where higher instructions per clock can offset a substantial core-count disadvantage. The delta is small, but the underlying workload characteristics differ significantly.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core i3-4340?
A: The average benchmark score is 1018, placing it at the 27th percentile among all CPUs.
Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4340 support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode.
Q: What integrated graphics does the i3-4340 include?
A: It includes the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics.
Q: What is the TDP of the i3-4340?
A: The TDP is 54 W.
Q: What is the base clock frequency?
A: The base clock is 3.60 GHz. There is no boost clock listed in the data.
Q: How many cores and threads does it have?
A: It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a locked multiplier.
Q: What is the process node?
A: It is fabricated on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors.
Power and Thermals
The Intel Core i3-4340 has a TDP of 54 W, which is a relatively low power envelope for a desktop processor. This indicates that heat output is modest, and a capable air cooler—such as a stock cooler or a low-profile tower cooler—would be sufficient to maintain safe operating temperatures. The 22 nm process contributes to this efficiency, and the data does not specify a boost clock, so the 3.60 GHz base clock is the maximum sustained frequency. Given the 54 W TDP, users can expect quiet operation with a standard cooling solution.
The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics share the thermal budget, but the total heat dissipation remains manageable. For compact builds or small form factor systems, the i3-4340 is a good fit due to its low power draw. The locked multiplier further confirms that thermal management is straightforward, as there is no overclocking headroom to consider. The transistor count of 1,400 million and die size of 177 mm² indicate a dense but efficient design. In practice, a 54 W part will not stress most cooling solutions, and users can prioritize low noise or small size without concern for thermal throttling. The data suggests that the i3-4340 is a thermally unremarkable but reliable component, suitable for systems where power efficiency is valued over raw performance.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Core i3-4340 are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-4340 performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-4340. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-4340. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-4340 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-4340 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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