Intel Core i5-3450 processor review and testing

Today we take a look at Intel's most affordable third-generation core-based processor Ivy bridge - Intel Core i5-3450 .

Packaging and equipment

The appearance of the packaging does not differ in any way from the general design of the packaging from other representatives of the second generation, now the third one.

On the side of the box, the manufacturer brought out the main features of this model: 4 cores, turbo boost 2.0, Smart Cache, dual-channel memory controller, DDR3 support, 3 years warranty, integrated HD 2500 graphics core.

On the top side of the box is a white sticker indicating: processor model (i5-3450); clock frequency (3.10 GHz); the amount of cache memory (6 MB); connector (LGA 1155) and serial number.

Inside the box we find the processor itself, the cooling system, instructions and a sticker with the company logo.

A complete cooler (E97378-001) will be able to provide high-quality cooling of the system. As for the design of the cooler, it has not undergone any changes.

Processor type:

The processor cover indicates: model, processor frequency, place of manufacture.

In this case, Malaysia.

Specification

Socket LGA1155;

CPU clock speed 3.1 GHz;

Multiplier 31;

Bus frequency 100 MHz;

Ivy Bridge processor core;

Number of cores and threads 4/4;

DMI 5.0 GT / s

Power 77 W;

Memory types 1333/1600;

Bandwidth 25.6 GB / s;

DirectX 11 support;

We confirm the characteristics of this processor Intel Core i5-3450 CPU-Z program

With the data obtained by the program, we see that the processor is made on a 22-nm process technology.

The core voltage was 1.104 V. The program showed that the clock speed was 3110 MHz.

The cache memory is allocated as follows:

As for memory, the DDR3 memory controller is capable of supporting 1333 and 1600 modules. When overclocked, the module can work at a frequency of 2133 MHz.

Now let's look at the results of the Futuremark PCMark 05 benchmark.

For comparison, we will select the following representatives: Intel Core i5 3550, Intel Core i5 2400 Boost ON, AMD Phenom II X4 965;

Based on the test results, we see a performance advantage for the Ivy Bridge architecture. Which is due to the difference in frequency of 200 MHz. As for the price, it is quite acceptable considering that AMD manufacturers have nothing to oppose to Intel. According to our tests, we can say that this CPU looks quite attractive.

In the new generation of processors, there have been some changes in the characteristics of the graphics core. The new graphics core now supports DirectX 11, unfortunately not at the maximum, but for not complex tasks it is quite enough.

Gaming Performance:

Far Cry 2: (1280x1024) DirectX 9 (148 fps), DirectX10 (109 fps).

World in Conflict: at maximum graphics settings (1024x768) the game showed 78 fps, and in turbo mode all 80 fps.

Race Driver: GRID (1280x1024) showed 133 fps.

conclusions

Summing up, I can say that this processor is useful for assembling a gaming PC, of ​​course, if you have a quite powerful graphics card. As for the built-in kernel, it is enough for multimedia tasks, surfing the Internet and working in office applications. If we compare this CPU with the i5-2400 model, the 3450 is a somewhat productive solution. For the full disclosure of the capabilities of this processor, it is advisable to equip it with a memory module of at least 1600. The overclocking potential of this CPU is low, so you will have to do with its nominal frequencies.