Intel Core i3-4160

Intel Core i3-4160

Intel Core i3-4160: A Review of the Budget Processor from 2014 in 2025

Relevant as of April 2025


Key Specifications: Haswell Architecture and Modest Performance

The Intel Core i3-4160 processor, released in 2014, still appears in budget builds. Its Haswell architecture (22 nm manufacturing process) showcases typical specifications of its time:

- 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Base clock speed of 3.6 GHz (no turbo boost).

- 3 MB L3 cache – modest even for 2014.

- Integrated graphics Intel HD 4400 with support for DirectX 11.1 and 4K output via DisplayPort.

- TDP of 54 W – low power consumption.

Geekbench 6 (2023 benchmark) shows:

- 1070 points in single-threaded mode.

- 2093 points in multi-threaded.

For comparison, the modern Intel Core i3-12100 (2022) scores around ~2200/8000 points.

Key Features for 2025:

- Virtualization support (VT-x, VT-d).

- Energy efficiency for basic tasks.

- Low cost on the second-hand market (new models are rarely found).


Compatible Motherboards: LGA 1150 Socket and Chipsets

The processor utilizes the outdated LGA 1150 socket, which limits the selection of compatible motherboards. Suitable chipsets include:

- H81, B85 – budget options without overclocking capabilities.

- H87, Z87 – more advanced features (RAID support, more SATA/USB ports).

Buying Considerations in 2025:

- New boards are virtually no longer manufactured. Single units in stores cost from $80 (for example, ASUS H81M-K), but they are more often sought on the used market for $30–50.

- It's important to check for BIOS updates for compatibility with Haswell (motherboards from 2013-2014).


Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The i3-4160 works with DDR3-1333/1600 MHz (maximum 32 GB). There is no support for DDR4 or DDR5.

Recommendations:

- Use dual-channel mode (2×8 GB) to improve the performance of the HD 4400 graphics.

- DDR3L (1.35 V) memory is compatible and reduces power consumption.


Power Supply: 300–400 W is Sufficient

With a TDP of 54 W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU:

- For a system without a discrete graphics card, a 300 W power supply will be enough (e.g., Be Quiet! System Power 10).

- With a graphics card like the GTX 1650, choose a PSU rated for 400–450 W (Corsair CX450).

Important: Older PSUs may not have the 8-pin connector for modern GPUs – check compatibility.


Pros and Cons in 2025

Pros:

- Price: New processors (if found) are around $60, cheaper than modern Pentium Gold ($80–100).

- Reliability: The absence of turbo boost reduces the risk of overheating.

- Energy efficiency: Ideal for media centers or office PCs.

Cons:

- 2 cores: Multi-threaded applications (Photoshop, video editors) run slowly.

- Outdated graphics: HD 4400 struggles with games released after 2015, even on low settings.

- No NVMe support: Only SATA III for storage drives.


Use Cases: Where is the i3-4160 Still Relevant?

1. Office tasks: Document work, browsing, Zoom.

2. Media center: Streaming 4K video (with hardware decoding).

3. Light gaming:

- CS:GO – 40–50 FPS on low settings.

- Minecraft – 60 FPS without shaders.

4. Home server: Based on Linux for file storage or VPN.

Limitations:

- Twitch/YouTube streaming – high loads will cause lag.

- Modern games (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield) – will not run.


Comparison with Competitors

- AMD A8-7600 (2014):

- Pros: 4 cores, Radeon R7 graphics.

- Cons: TDP 65 W, weaker in single-threaded tasks.

- Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (2020):

- Pros: 2 cores but higher IPC, supports DDR4.

- Cons: Price $80 (new), no Hyper-Threading.

Conclusion: The i3-4160 lags behind even budget CPUs from the 2020s, but it wins on the price in the second-hand market.


Building Tips

1. Storage: Be sure to use an SSD (e.g., Kingston A400 240 GB – $25) instead of an HDD.

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is adequate, but replace the thermal paste (Arctic MX-4 – $5).

3. Upgrade: Add a GPU like the GTX 1050 Ti (used – $70) for gaming.

4. Motherboard: Look for models with USB 3.0 and HDMI (e.g., ASRock B85M Pro4).


Summary: Who is the i3-4160 Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is a choice for:

- Budget users building a PC for internet use and office work for $150–200.

- Enthusiasts upgrading old systems.

- Retro gaming fans (pre-2015 games).

Why not buy it new?

Even at $60, modern Pentium or AMD Athlon processors offer a better performance-to-price ratio and support for up-to-date technologies (DDR4, NVMe). However, for ultra-budget projects, the i3-4160 remains a reliable workhorse, having proven its reliability over 11 years on the market.


Conclusion: The Intel Core i3-4160 is an example of a "digital survivor." It may be outdated but continues to find relevance where the minimum price is more important than speed.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
July 2014
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
Core i3-4160
Code Name
Haswell
Generation
Core i3 (Haswell)

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
3.6 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
N/A
L1 Cache
64 KB (per core)
L2 Cache
256 KB (per core)
L3 Cache
3 MB (shared)
Bus Frequency
100 MHz
Multiplier
36.0x
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
Intel Socket 1150
Multiplier Unlocked
No
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
22 nm
TDP
54 W
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
Gen 3
Transistors
1,400 million

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR3
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
Dual-channel
ECC Memory
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Intel HD 4400

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
1070
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
2093
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
778
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
1634
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
2005
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
3507

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
1143 +6.8%
1105 +3.3%
1014 -5.2%
962 -10.1%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
2547 +21.7%
2324 +11%
1914 -8.6%
1752 -16.3%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
811 +4.2%
796 +2.3%
756 -2.8%
739 -5%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
1895 +16%
1745 +6.8%
1545 -5.4%
1461 -10.6%
Passmark CPU Single Core
2056 +2.5%
2036 +1.5%
1977 -1.4%
1953 -2.6%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
3874 +10.5%
3676 +4.8%
3327 -5.1%
3171 -9.6%