CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670S vs Intel Core i5-4430S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4670S, launched in June 2013, is a quad-core desktop processor designed for users who need strong performance within a constrained thermal envelope. As part of the Haswell generation, it features a 65-watt TDP, making it significantly more power-efficient than the standard 84-watt i5-4670. Operating at a base frequency of 3.1 GHz and turbo boosting up to 3.8 GHz, it delivers snappy single-threaded performance suitable for gaming and demanding applications. Built on a 22nm process, it houses 1.4 billion transistors and 6MB of L3 cache. The inclusion of Intel HD 4600 graphics ensures smooth 4K video playback and basic gaming capabilities. This processor was highly sought after for small form factor builds and home theater PCs where heat and noise reduction were priorities. It remains a capable chip for legacy systems and budget gaming setups.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fast single-core speeds keep legacy apps feeling snappy.
Handles office suites and multitasking well enough for basic use.
Gaming
Good for older games; will bottleneck modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
Quad cores are okay for old games, but single-thread speed is too low today.
Virtualization
Limited to light VMs due to 4 threads.
Can run a basic VM, but lacks Hyper-Threading.
Efficiency
Outstanding efficiency, hitting 3.8 GHz on just 65W.
Good efficiency for a 22nm desktop chip.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Slow for modern AI workloads
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for modern inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Pairs well with GTX 1050 Ti or RX 570
- Can handle CS:GO and Dota 2 easily
- Will struggle with modern CPU-bound games like Cyberpunk 2077
- Needs a dedicated GPU
- Low single-thread performance by modern standards
- Not recommended for modern AAA games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High 3.8 GHz turbo boost for single-core tasks
- Low 65W TDP
- Good for retro and e-sports gaming
- Supports vPro and TXT
- Reliable Haswell architecture
Cons
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier
- No Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Limited to 4 threads
Pros
- Good 65W TDP
- True 4 physical cores
- Reliable for basic office tasks
- Socketed design
Cons
- Low clock speeds
- Obsolete DDR3 memory
- No Hyper-Threading
- Weak integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4670S
- AMD FX-8350Rival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Standard Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4770SRival
Low Power Desktop
Newer Haswell Refresh with slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headHyper-threaded alternative for more threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 1300XAlt
Modern budget quad-core alternative.
Modern budget alternative.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Modern budget hexa-core alternative.
Intel Core i5-4430S
- Intel Core i5-4430Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4440SRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3470SRival
Desktop
- AMD A10-6700Rival
Desktop
Vastly superior single-core and modern platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4500Alt
Cheap 6-core processor for budget builds.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Modern 6-core with excellent price/performance.
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget quad-core alternative.
- Intel Pentium G7400Alt
Modern dual-core for basic needs.
Our Verdict on Each
The fastest 'S' series Haswell i5 at launch, offering excellent single-core performance with 65W efficiency.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for older LGA 1150 systems.
Read the full reviewA well-balanced 65W quad-core that was a staple in pre-built office PCs, but is too slow for modern demanding workloads.
Best for: For modern users, the Core i5-4430S holds very little value outside of maintaining an older system. If you have a functioning LGA 1150 motherboard and need a cheap processor to keep an office machine or media center running, this chip is adequate. Its quad-core design still handles basic web browsing and document editing reasonably well. However, it struggles significantly with modern gaming and heavy multitasking. It should never be purchased for a new build, as its platform lacks support for modern I/O like NVMe booting (on most older boards), USB 3.1 Gen 2, and DDR4 memory. If you find one used for a few dollars, it might be worth it to revive an old PC. Otherwise, save your money for a modern entry-level processor, which will offer vastly superior single-core speeds and power efficiency.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4670S or Intel Core i5-4430S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4670S comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4670S or Intel Core i5-4430S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4670S leads with a gaming performance score of 52/100 among Intel Core i5-4670S and Intel Core i5-4430S.
Do Intel Core i5-4670S and Intel Core i5-4430S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4670S: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-4430S: Intel Socket 1150 (LGA1150)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4430S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670S (3,900), Intel Core i5-4430S (6,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.