Core i5-3450 vs Core i7-1068G7

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 i5-3450 vs Core i7-1068G7 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 i5-3450 vs Core i7-1068G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3450

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Core i7-1068G7 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1068G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-1068G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌175% higher power demand at 77W vs 28W.

Core i7-1068G7

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 77W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,449 vs 4,517).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3450 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1068G7 better than Core i5-3450?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1068G7 is ahead with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450 pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Core i7-1068G7 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-1068G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1068G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3450 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1068G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3450 vs Core i7-1068G7 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-1068G7

The Core i7-1068G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,449 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-1068G7's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-1068G7 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-1068G7 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-3450 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-1068G7 uses Ice Lake (Client) (2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3450 scores 4,517 against the Core i7-1068G7's 4,449 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-3450. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-1068G7.

Feature	Core i5-3450	Core i7-1068G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.1 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+35%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)
PassMark	4,517+2%	4,449

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3450 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1068G7 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3450	Core i7-1068G7
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-3450) / not specified (Core i7-1068G7). The Core i5-3450 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i7-1068G7 requires a dedicated GPU.