Core i7-870 vs Core i5-4330M
Core i7-870
Core i5-4330M
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 i7-870 is positioned at rank 987 and the Core i5-4330M is on rank 899, so the Core i5-4330M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4330M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-870 | Core i5-4330M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-870 | Core i5-4330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ 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 i7-870 and Core i5-4330M
Core i7-870
The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.
Core i5-4330M
The Core i5-4330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,202 points. Launch price was $275.
Processing Power
The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-4330M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-870 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4330M — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-870 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4330M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the Core i5-4330M's 3,202 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-4330M. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4330M.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | Core i5-4330M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz+5% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 3,164 | 3,202+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 476 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,541 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4330M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-4330M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | Core i5-4330M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | PGA946 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-4330M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-870 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-4330M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | Core i5-4330M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | HD Graphics 4600 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Mobile |
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