Core i3-3245 vs Core i5-4350U

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 i3-3245 vs Core i5-4350U 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 i3-3245 vs Core i5-4350U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3245

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 512W, a 457W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Core i5-4350U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,412 vs 2,425).
❌Launch MSRP is still $120 MSRP, while Core i5-4350U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4350U

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌830.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3245 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4350U better than Core i3-3245?

Yes. Core i5-4350U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4350U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4350U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4350U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $120 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-3245 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-3245 vs Core i5-4350U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3245

The Core i3-3245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2013 (12 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,412 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-4350U

The Core i5-4350U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,425 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-3245 and Core i5-4350U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. The Core i5-4350U is built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i3-3245 scores 2,412 against the Core i5-4350U's 2,425 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-4350U. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-3245 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4350U.

Feature	Core i3-3245	Core i5-4350U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	—	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+143%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,412	2,425

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3245 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4350U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3245	Core i5-4350U
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-3245) / not specified (Core i5-4350U). The Core i3-3245 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-4350U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3245 targets Desktop.