Intel Core i3-4360T
Intel Core i3-4360T: Obsolete, Yet Still Useful? A Review for Budget Builds in 2025
Introduction
Intel's Haswell family of processors, released in 2014, now seems like a relic of the past. However, even 11 years later, the Intel Core i3-4360T remains relevant in niche scenarios. In this article, we'll explore who might find this chip useful in 2025, how to build a PC around it, and the pitfalls that await users.
1. Key Specifications: Architecture and Features
Haswell Architecture (4th Generation)
The i3-4360T is built on a 22nm process. It's a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads), a base clock speed of 3.2 GHz (without Turbo Boost). Its L3 cache is 4 MB.
Key Features:
- Energy Efficiency: With a TDP of 35W, it is ideal for compact systems.
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600: Supports DirectX 11.1 and 4K output via DisplayPort.
- Performance: In Geekbench 6 (2025), the chip scores 1041 points in single-threaded and 2189 in multi-threaded tests. For comparison, the contemporary budget processor Intel Celeron G6900 (2023) scores around 1600/2400.
Limitations:
- Lacks support for AVX2 and other modern instructions.
- Maximum memory supported is 32GB (DDR3).
2. Compatible Motherboards: What to Choose in 2025?
Socket LGA 1150
The processor works only with motherboards that use chipsets H81, B85, H87, H97, Z87, and Z97.
Recommendations:
- For Office Tasks: A board with the H81 chipset (e.g., ASUS H81M-K) will suffice.
- For Upgrades: Look for models with USB 3.0 and SATA III (ASRock B85M Pro4).
- Note: Chipsets Z87/Z97 support overclocking, but the i3-4360T has a fixed multiplier.
Important! New LGA 1150 motherboards are no longer being manufactured. In 2025, they can only be purchased on the secondary market (price: $30-60). Ensure the socket is functional and check for bulging capacitors.
3. Supported Memory Types
DDR3-1333/1600
The processor only works with DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode.
Tips:
- Use two modules (e.g., 2×8 GB) to enable dual-channel operation.
- The maximum frequency is 1600 MHz. Faster DDR3 modules will operate at a reduced speed.
- DDR4/DDR5 are not supported.
4. Power Supply Recommendations
Minimum Requirements
With a TDP of 35W and using integrated graphics, a 300W PSU will be sufficient (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10 300W, $40).
If adding a graphics card:
- For a GTX 1650 (TDP 75W) — a 450W PSU (Corsair CX450, $55).
- Avoid high-end GPUs: the processor will become a bottleneck.
Important: Choose a PSU with an 80+ Bronze certification for stability.
5. Pros and Cons of the i3-4360T in 2025
Pros:
- Low power consumption.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks (office work, web browsing, HD video).
- Availability of integrated graphics.
Cons:
- Only 2 cores — multi-threaded applications (editors, video editing) will suffer.
- Outdated platform (DDR3, PCIe 3.0).
- No support for Windows 12 (only through workarounds).
6. Usage Scenarios
Office and Study
- Working with documents, web browsing (+20 tabs), Zoom.
- Example: A PC with i3-4360T + 16GB DDR3 + SSD is ideal for Word/Excel.
Multimedia
- Streaming 4K on YouTube via HDMI 1.4 (limited to 30Hz).
- Connecting to a TV as a media center (Kodi, Plex).
Gaming
- Older games: CS:GO at low settings — 40-60 FPS.
- Indie games: Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley — no issues.
- With a discrete GPU (GTX 1050 Ti): GTA V at medium settings — 50 FPS.
7. Comparison with Competitors
AMD A8-7600 (2014)
- Pros: 4 cores, better Radeon R7 graphics.
- Cons: Weaker in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single: ~800).
Intel Celeron G6900 (2023)
- Pros: Support for DDR4, PCIe 5.0, higher performance (+50%).
- Cons: Price ($60 vs. $25 for a used i3-4360T).
8. Practical Assembly Tips
1. SSD is a Must! Replace HDD with Kingston A400 (240GB, $25) to speed up the system.
2. Cooling. The Box cooler is adequate, but for silence, consider the Arctic Alpine 12 ($15).
3. Upgrade. Add a GTX 1650 level graphics card if gaming is a priority.
4. OS. It's better to use Windows 10 or Linux (Ubuntu LTS).
9. Final Conclusion: Who is the i3-4360T Suitable For?
This processor is worth considering for:
- Enthusiasts building PCs from old components.
- Business owners in need of cheap office computers.
- Media centers in living rooms.
Why not? If you plan to work with 4K video, play Cyberpunk 2077, or use Windows 12 — look for more modern solutions.
Conclusion
In 2025, the Intel Core i3-4360T is a "workhorse" for specific tasks. It won’t impress in terms of performance, but it offers minimal power consumption and sufficient power for basic needs. The main advantage is the extremely low cost of the platform (motherboard + CPU + RAM ≈ $100). Build such a PC only if the budget is tight and hardware requirements are minimal.