Core i5-4430S vs Core i3-6320
Core i5-4430S
Core i3-6320
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 i5-4430S is positioned at rank 705 and the Core i3-6320 is on rank 630, so the Core i3-6320 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4430S
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6320
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+160%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
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 i5-4430S and Core i3-6320
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.
Core i3-6320
The Core i3-6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.
Processing Power
The Core i5-4430S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6320 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-4430S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430S versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-6320 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-4430S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-6320 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4430S scores 4,376 against the Core i3-6320's 4,421 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-6320. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 877 vs 1,311, a 39.7% lead for the Core i3-6320 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,397 vs 2,730 (13% advantage for the Core i3-6320). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4430S vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6320.
| Feature | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.9 GHz+44% |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total)+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,376 | 4,421+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 2,853 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 877 | 1,311+49% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,397 | 2,730+14% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4430S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-6320 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4430S versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6320 — the Core i3-6320 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6320 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4430S) and H110,H170,Z170,Q170,Q150,B150,B250,H270,Z270,Q270,Q250 (Core i3-6320).
| Feature | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4430S) vs Yes (Core i3-6320). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4430S) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i3-6320) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4430S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430S rivals Ryzen 3 1200.
| Feature | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4600 | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-4430S launched at $182 MSRP, while the Core i3-6320 debuted at $160. At current prices ($90 vs $35), the Core i3-6320 is $55 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4430S delivers 48.6 pts/$ vs 126.3 pts/$ for the Core i3-6320 — making the Core i3-6320 the 88.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-4430S | Core i3-6320 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $182 | $160-12% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $90 | $35-61% |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.6 | 126.3+160% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2015 |
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