Nominally, mid-range processors belonged to the Intel Core i3-4340. The characteristics of this chip confirm this positioning. It is this semiconductor solution from Intel that will be considered in the framework of this article.
Positioning. Possible delivery options
Products of the Intel company are divided into groups as follows:
- Budget and office systems were based on microprocessors of the Celeron or Pentium series. They have very modest parameters, low frequencies and a reduced cache size. Therefore, their use in such budget computers is justified. The cost of these CPU models is quite affordable and democratic.
- Mid-range microprocessors are based on the Core i3. They also have 2 real blocks of code processing, but they are able to process information in 4 streams. In this case, the frequencies increase, the cache becomes larger. This leads to the fact that the cost of these solutions increases. It is to this group of chips that the Intel Core i3-4340 semiconductor product belongs.
- The most productive computer systems were based on i5 and i7. In this case, the characteristics improved significantly, but the cost also increased significantly.
The CPU model under consideration could be delivered in two possible configurations. One of them was called Trail, and the second - Voh. The difference between the two was that the second set included a proprietary cooling system with thermal grease. Specifications Intel Core i3-4340 differ from microprocessors of other brands.
Main processor parameters
The Intel Core i3-4340 processor belongs to the 4th generation of the Core architecture. It is designed to be installed in the LGA1150 socket. As previously noted, it has 2 physical blocks for executing instructions and 4 logical flows for their execution. Its clock frequency is fixed at 3.6 GHz. Change it is not possible. The chip frequency multiplier is locked, and the specifications do not support Turbo Boost. Each computing cluster can complete 4 instructions in one cycle of its work, and in total this chip processes up to 8. Its thermal package is 54 W and the maximum temperature is 66 ° C. Also on this semiconductor base there is an entry-level graphics accelerator - HD Graphics.
Cache and RAM
The main feature is the impressive cache size of the Intel Core i3-434. Its characteristics indicate the presence of 128 KB - at the first level, 512 MB - at the second and 4 MB - at the third. In this case, fast memory for their needs can be used not only by computing units, but also by an integrated graphics adapter. This important feature of this solution significantly increased the performance of the integrated video subsystem. Separately, it is necessary to note the organization of the subsystem of RAM. As part of the microprocessor architecture, codenamed Core, it has undergone fundamental changes. The essence of the latter is that a controller that controls RAM is integrated into the semiconductor base of the CPU. This chip is aimed at working in conjunction with DDR3 modules. The frequency of the latter should be 1333 or 1600 MHz. The amount of RAM can reach 32 GB (4 modules of 8 GB).
Comparison with competing solutions
Quite good results in tests are shown by Intel Core i3-4340. AMD FX - 6300 is its main opponent. According to technical specifications, the latest chip is more preferable, but the Intel solution in practice gives a higher level of performance. This is achieved by optimizing the software specifically for the chips of the "blue" company. Theoretically, the i3 in question can process eight instructions in a single clock cycle. AMD's solution is capable of executing twelve code instructions already. But the main problem in this case lies precisely in the organization of microprocessor architecture. Intel solutions have 2 independent units that are fully autonomous. In turn, the FX-6300 has 6 integer modules and 3 floating-point data processing clusters. It is the latter circumstance that leads to the fact that Intel chips show better results in any modern software.
Cost
Initially, a fairly expensive solution is the Intel Core i3-4340. The price for it in the configuration Trail was $ 149. But Voh cost even more - $ 157. Now this model of CPU (central processor) is discontinued. Therefore, on sale you can only find stocks of Intel Core i3-4340. CSN-shop is now the second version of the configuration of this microprocessor is selling at a price of 9999 rubles or 171 dollars. A similar approach to pricing has real physical reasons. The supply of processors is limited, and the demand for them is growing steadily. Therefore, their value is increasing.
Owner reviews
Only on the positive side do most of the owners respond to the Intel Core i3-4340 processor. Its characteristics are really balanced and allow you to solve many problems. More precisely, then any software on such a CPU will go without problems. At the same time, his energy efficiency is at a very high level. By cons include the high cost of Intel Core i3-4340. This price is due to the fact that the chips are discontinued, and on sale you can only find their stocks. This makes its use in mid-level computing systems justified and justified.
Finally
This technical review details the microprocessor model Intel Core i3-4340. Its characteristics are quite standard for a mid-range device. But performance allows you to solve a wide range of tasks without any problems. There are no software limitations yet. Users get the perfect balance of price, ideal settings and superior performance.