AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Core i3-4130 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4130 and AMD Ryzen 7 3700U target entirely different platforms, yet their average benchmark scores place them in a similar performance tier. The Ryzen 7 3700U holds a commanding lead in the only shared benchmark, but the Intel part counters with superior single-core scores in its own test suite. The data shows a clear split: the AMD chip is dramatically faster in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel chip posts higher single-thread results in the Cinebench R20 and R23 tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The sole direct comparison available is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672 against the Intel Core i3-4130’s 285. That is a delta of -57.6%, meaning the Ryzen delivers roughly 2.4 times the multi-threaded performance of the i3 in this specific workload. This is the single largest gap between the two processors and reflects the fundamental difference in core count: the Ryzen offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3 provides only 2 cores and 4 threads.

Beyond that direct head-to-head, each chip has its own benchmark results that paint a fuller picture. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-4130 scores 1189, while its single-core score is 168. The Ryzen 7 3700U does not have a Cinebench R20 result in the data, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, the Ryzen’s Cinebench R15 single-core score of 139 is notably lower than the i3’s R20 single-core score of 168, though these are different test versions and not directly comparable.

In Cinebench R23, the i3-4130 achieves a multi-core score of 2833 and a single-core score of 400. The Ryzen 7 3700U has no R23 results listed, but its Geekbench scores are available: 2377 multi-core and 682 single-core. When considering the average benchmark scores, the i3-4130 sits at 975, while the Ryzen 7 3700U is at 968. That is a negligible 0.7% difference, placing both chips in the same performance neighborhood despite their architectural differences.

The percentile rankings reinforce this parity. Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly 26% of the database’s tested processors. This is a modest ranking, indicating that neither chip is a high-performance part by modern standards. The i3-4130’s nearest rivals are the AMD Athlon X4 840, Intel Core i3-4150T, and AMD A10-7870K, all with an identical average score of 975. The Ryzen 7 3700U’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2400S at 968, Intel Xeon X5570 at 967, and Intel Celeron N5100 at 966.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data, the choice depends entirely on workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is the clear winner for multi-threaded tasks, as evidenced by its 672 Cinebench R15 multi-core score versus the i3-4130’s 285. If your work involves video encoding, 3D rendering, or any heavily parallelized application, the Ryzen’s 4 cores and 8 threads provide a massive advantage. The 57.6% lead in the head-to-head test is decisive.

On the other hand, the Intel Core i3-4130 shows stronger single-thread performance in the Cinebench R20 and R23 tests, with scores of 168 and 400 respectively. While no direct single-core comparison exists between the two, the i3’s results suggest it handles lightly-threaded workloads with reasonable efficiency. For older software, legacy applications, or tasks that rely on a single core, the i3 may feel more responsive per clock.

However, the Ryzen 7 3700U’s 15W TDP is a critical differentiator. The i3-4130 has a 54W TDP, more than three times higher. This makes the Ryzen far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops and mobile devices, while the i3 is a desktop part. If power efficiency and portability matter, the Ryzen is the only logical choice. If you are building a budget desktop with an Intel Socket 1150 motherboard, the i3-4130’s lower platform cost might be appealing.

The production status for both is listed as Active, so availability is not a concern. Neither chip has a launch MSRP in the data, so no pricing guidance can be provided. Ultimately, the Ryzen 7 3700U wins on raw multi-core performance and efficiency, while the i3-4130 holds its own in single-threaded tests and offers a desktop platform advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-4130 is based on the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel’s foundry. It uses 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die. The Ryzen’s transistor count is over three times higher, reflecting its more complex design with additional cores and a larger cache hierarchy.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i3-4130 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 3700U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen’s larger L1 and L2 caches per core, combined with an extra 1 MB of L3, provide more on-chip data storage, which helps feed its additional cores.

Memory support also diverges. The i3-4130 uses DDR3 memory, while the Ryzen 7 3700U uses DDR4. Both support dual-channel memory buses, but the DDR4 interface on the Ryzen offers a more modern memory standard with higher potential bandwidth. Neither chip supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, so expansion capabilities are similar in that regard.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4130 features Intel HD 4400, while the Ryzen 7 3700U includes Radeon Vega 10 graphics. The Vega 10 is a newer and more capable GPU, though the data does not include specific graphics benchmarks. The Ryzen’s mobile design also incorporates a 15W TDP, while the i3-4130 is a desktop part with a 54W TDP. This reflects the Ryzen’s focus on battery life and thermal efficiency, whereas the i3 prioritizes desktop performance within a higher power envelope.

The release dates are roughly five and a half years apart. The i3-4130 launched on 2013-08-31, while the Ryzen 7 3700U launched on 2019-01-05. This generational gap explains the process node improvement from 22 nm to 12 nm and the architectural advancements in Zen+.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-4130 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 7 3700U in the multi-core Cinebench R15 test?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672, while the Intel Core i3-4130 scores 285. This gives the Ryzen a 57.6% lead over the i3 in that specific benchmark.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for both CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 has an average benchmark score of 975. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has an average benchmark score of 968.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i3-4130 has a TDP of 54 watts, making the Ryzen more than three times more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-4130 supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U supports DDR4 memory. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 is built on a 22 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is built on a 12 nm process.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 672 versus the i3-4130’s 285 is a 57.6% advantage, making the Ryzen the obvious choice for video editing, 3D rendering, compiling code, or any task that can utilize all cores. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide twice the logical processors of the i3, which directly translates to higher throughput in parallel tasks. The Ryzen also wins on power efficiency with a 15W TDP, making it suitable for laptops and compact devices where heat and battery life are primary concerns.

The Intel Core i3-4130 wins in single-threaded performance within its own benchmark suite. Its Cinebench R20 single-core score of 168 and R23 single-core score of 400 indicate solid per-core performance. While no direct single-core comparison exists with the Ryzen, the i3’s results suggest it can handle legacy software and lightly-threaded applications without issue. The i3 also wins on platform maturity for desktop builds, as Intel Socket 1150 motherboards are a well-established ecosystem. Its 54W TDP, while higher, is standard for desktop processors and allows for more robust cooling solutions.

For a use-case split, the Ryzen 7 3700U is better for content creation, multitasking, and mobile computing. The i3-4130 is better for basic desktop tasks, older games, and office productivity where single-thread performance matters most. If you need a low-power processor for a laptop, the Ryzen is the only viable choice given the i3’s desktop-only socket. If you are upgrading an existing Socket 1150 system, the i3-4130 is a drop-in replacement that avoids a full platform change.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4130 | AMD Ryzen 7 3700U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen+ |

| Codename | Haswell | Picasso |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Radeon Vega 10 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2019-01-05 |

| Part Number | SR1NP | YM370BC4T4MFG |

The base clock of the i3-4130 is 3.40 GHz, which is higher than the Ryzen 7 3700U’s 2.30 GHz base clock. However, the Ryzen has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, allowing it to reach higher frequencies under load. The i3 has no boost clock listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either part. Both support PCIe Gen 3 and do not support ECC memory.