Core i5-4300U vs Core i7-3667U

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 i5-4300U vs Core i7-3667U 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 i5-4300U vs Core i7-3667U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4300U

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i7-3667U

2012

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,451 vs 2,482).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4300U better than Core i7-3667U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3667U is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300U pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-3667U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4300U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4300U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-4300U 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 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 i5-4300U vs Core i7-3667U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4300U

The Core i5-4300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,482 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-3667U

The Core i7-3667U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,451 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4300U and Core i7-3667U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4300U versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3667U — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3667U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-4300U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3667U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4300U scores 2,482 against the Core i7-3667U's 2,451 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-4300U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4300U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3667U.

Feature	Core i5-4300U	Core i7-3667U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,482+1%	2,451
Geekbench 6 Single	607	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,722	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4300U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3667U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-3667U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4300U) vs 16 (Core i7-3667U) — the Core i7-3667U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM86,HM87 (Core i5-4300U) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3667U).

Feature	Core i5-4300U	Core i7-3667U
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-4300U) vs true (Core i7-3667U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4400 (Core i5-4300U) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3667U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3667U rivals AMD A10-4655M.