Core i5-3470S vs Core i5-4430S

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 i5-3470S vs Core i5-4430S 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 i5-3470S vs Core i5-4430S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470S

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,374 vs 4,376).
❌
1.1% HIGHER MSRP
$184 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4430S.

Core i5-4430S

2013

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $2 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3470S.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4430S better than Core i5-3470S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3470S is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430S pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4430S is the better buy right now. Core i5-4430S comes in $2 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3470S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1.1% better value on MSRP (24.0 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4430S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-3470S vs Core i5-4430S Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470S

The Core i5-3470S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,374 points. Launch price was $200.

Core i5-4430S

The Core i5-4430S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,376 points. Launch price was $135.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3470S and Core i5-4430S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470S versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430S — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470S (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4430S uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470S scores 4,374 against the Core i5-4430S's 4,376 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-4430S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470S vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4430S.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Core i5-4430S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+7%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	4,374	4,376
Geekbench 6 Single	—	877
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4430S uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Core i5-4430S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3470S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4430S). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3470S) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4430S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3470S targets Desktop, Core i5-4430S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430S rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Core i5-4430S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470S was priced at $184, while the Core i5-4430S came in at $182. On launch pricing ($184 vs $182), Core i5-4430S was $2 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470S delivers 23.8 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-4430S — making the Core i5-4430S the 1.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470S	Core i5-4430S
MSRP	$184	$182-1%
Performance per Dollar	23.8	24.0
Release Date	2012	2013

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