Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i5-3450

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i5-3450 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i5-3450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1115GRE

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 77W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3450 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 24.5 PassMark/$ ($338 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Core i5-3450

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅Delivers 80.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.5 vs 13.6 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $338 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,517 vs 4,588).
❌413.3% higher power demand at 77W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1115GRE better than Core i5-3450?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3450 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115GRE pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1115GRE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1115GRE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1115GRE comes in 83.7% more expensive on MSRP at $338 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.6% better PassMark. Core i5-3450 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 80.9% better value on paper (24.5 vs 13.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1115GRE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i5-3450 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

Core i5-3450

The Core i5-3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $186.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-1115GRE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-3450 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115GRE scores 4,588 against the Core i5-3450's 4,517 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i3-1115GRE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i5-3450
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.1 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,588+2%	4,517
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,233	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115GRE uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-3450 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115GRE versus 1600 on the Core i5-3450 — the Core i3-1115GRE supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1115GRE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1115GRE) vs 16 (Core i5-3450) — the Core i5-3450 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i5-3450
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+100%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-1115GRE) vs true (Core i5-3450). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1115GRE) and Intel HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3450) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i5-3450
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 2500
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	Yes	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-1115GRE was priced at $338, while the Core i5-3450 came in at $184. On launch pricing ($338 vs $184), Core i5-3450 was $154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1115GRE delivers 13.6 pts/$ vs 24.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-3450 — making the Core i5-3450 the 57.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i5-3450
MSRP	$338	$184-46%
Performance per Dollar	13.6	24.5+80%
Release Date	2020	2012

Search Core i3-1115GRE on Amazon

Search Core i5-3450 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.