Core i3-4170T vs Core i7-5557U
Core i3-4170T
Core i7-5557U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4170T is positioned at rank 645 and the Core i7-5557U is on rank 563, so the Core i7-5557U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4170T
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5557U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4170T | Core i7-5557U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4170T | Core i7-5557U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($17) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4170T and Core i7-5557U
Core i3-4170T
The Core i3-4170T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,133 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i7-5557U
The Core i7-5557U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,153 points. Launch price was $426.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-4170T and Core i7-5557U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-4170T versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-5557U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-5557U (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-4170T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-5557U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170T scores 3,133 against the Core i7-5557U's 3,153 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-5557U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4170T vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5557U.
| Feature | Core i3-4170T | Core i7-5557U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+3% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Broadwell-U (2015) |
| PassMark | 3,133 | 3,153 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 800 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4170T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5557U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-4170T | Core i7-5557U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4170T) / not specified (Core i7-5557U). The Core i3-4170T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-5557U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4170T targets Low Power Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-4170T | Core i7-5557U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
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