CPU Comparison

The Intel Celeron N5100 and Intel Core i3-4360T are two very different processors that end up in nearly the same performance bracket. The N5100 is a modern, low-power mobile chip built on a 10 nm process, while the i3-4360T is an older, higher-power desktop part from the Haswell generation. Benchmark data shows they are remarkably close in compute performance, with the Celeron taking a narrow lead in every single test. However, the underlying specifications and target platforms could not be more different, making the choice between them a matter of platform and power requirements rather than raw speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results between these two CPUs are almost suspiciously tight. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, both processors score exactly 282 points. This is a dead heat, indicating that for older multi-threaded workloads, the two chips are functionally identical. The data records the Celeron N5100 as the winner with a deltaPct of 0, but this is a nominal distinction; a score difference of zero means there is no practical performance gap.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Celeron N5100 edges ahead with a multi-core score of 1179, compared to the i3-4360T's 1175. The deltaPct here is just 0.3%, which is well within run-to-run variance for any benchmark. In single-core R20, the N5100 scores 166 versus 165 for the i3-4360T, a 0.6% lead. This suggests that despite the i3's much higher 3.20 GHz base clock, the newer Tremont architecture in the N5100 is able to match or slightly beat it on a per-thread basis.

The pattern continues in the more demanding Cinebench R23 tests. The N5100 scores 2809 in multi-core, while the i3-4360T scores 2799, a 0.4% difference. In single-core R23, the N5100 again wins, 396 to 395, with a 0.3% delta. Across all five benchmark entries, the Celeron N5100 secures 5 wins with zero losses. The largest margin of victory is a mere 0.6%, so it would be inaccurate to describe either chip as "faster" in any meaningful sense. The data shows a statistical tie, with the N5100 holding a very slight, consistent edge.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the N5100 averages 966, while the i3-4360T averages 963. Both sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs tracked, meaning they are in the lower quarter of performance overall. The nearest rivals for the N5100 include the Intel Xeon X5570 with an average score of 967, and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U at 968. The i3-4360T's closest competitor is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T, which matches it at exactly 963. Notably, the i3-4360T is listed as a rival to the N5100 with a deltaPct of -0.4, confirming the Celeron's slight edge in aggregate.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Celeron N5100 scores 2809, while the Intel Core i3-4360T scores 2799. The Celeron leads by 0.4% in this test, which is a negligible but consistent advantage.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable in single-threaded performance?

A: Yes, the data shows they are nearly identical. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the N5100 scores 166 and the i3-4360T scores 165. In R23 single-core, the N5100 scores 396 versus 395 for the i3. The largest single-core margin is 0.6%.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Celeron N5100 has a TDP of 6 watts, while the Core i3-4360T has a TDP of 35 watts. This is a substantial difference, making the N5100 far more suitable for fanless or battery-powered designs.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The N5100 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The i3-4360T is limited to DDR3 memory, also dual-channel.

Q: Which processor has a higher core count?

A: The Celeron N5100 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Core i3-4360T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count.

Q: Is the i3-4360T still in production?

A: The data indicates the i3-4360T has an "Active" production status, while the Celeron N5100 is marked as "End-of-life."

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data does not provide a clear winner for any specific workload type. The Celeron N5100 wins all five head-to-head tests, but the margins are so small that they are practically meaningless for real-world application selection. The N5100's largest win is 0.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core, which would not be perceptible in any software. The i3-4360T does not win a single test in the provided data.

That said, the "wins" extend beyond raw compute scores. The N5100's platform advantages are significant. Its 6-watt TDP and support for DDR4/LPDDR4 memory make it a clear choice for compact, power-efficient systems like thin clients or embedded devices. The i3-4360T, with its 35-watt TDP and DDR3-only support, is more suited to a traditional desktop motherboard. The i3 also has an "Active" production status, meaning it may still be available for new builds, whereas the N5100 is end-of-life.

If the use case is a lightweight server or a media box that runs 24/7, the N5100's power draw is a decisive factor. If the use case is upgrading an existing Socket 1150 motherboard, the i3-4360T is the only one of the two that will physically fit. The performance parity means neither chip offers a speed advantage, so the decision rests entirely on platform compatibility and power constraints.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification except for thread count and L3 cache size. The Celeron N5100 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i3-4360T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both have 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The base clocks are vastly different: the N5100 runs at 1100.00 MHz with a boost clock of 2.80 GHz, while the i3-4360T runs at a fixed 3.20 GHz with no boost capability listed.

The TDP difference is stark: 6 watts for the N5100 versus 35 watts for the i3-4360T. The socket types are incompatible, with the N5100 using Intel BGA 1338 (soldered) and the i3-4360T using Intel Socket 1150 (LGA). Memory support also diverges: the N5100 uses DDR4/LPDDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i3-4360T uses DDR3 with no bandwidth figure provided. Both support dual-channel memory and neither supports ECC. The PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but the N5100 specifies 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i3 lists simply "Gen 3" without lane details.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the N5100 has UHD Graphics 24EU, while the i3-4360T has Intel HD 4600. The market segments are also different, with the N5100 being a Mobile part and the i3-4360T being a Desktop part. Finally, the production statuses are opposite, with the N5100 listed as End-of-life and the i3-4360T as Active.

Architecture Differences

These are fundamentally different architectures from different eras. The Celeron N5100 uses the Tremont architecture, codenamed Jasper Lake, built on a 10 nm process. It is a modern, efficiency-focused design. The Core i3-4360T uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process. This is a significant generational gap. The die size tells the story: the N5100 is 63.8 mm², while the i3-4360T is 177 mm². The i3 is nearly three times larger, yet it delivers the same or slightly less performance, illustrating the efficiency gains of the newer process node.

The cache layouts differ as well. The N5100 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1.5 MB of shared L2, and 4 MB of shared L3. The i3-4360T also has 64 KB of L1 per core, but it has 256 KB of L2 per core (totaling 512 KB) and 4 MB of shared L3. The i3 also has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million, while the N5100's transistor count is not provided.

The i3-4360T is a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, which allows it to process 4 threads simultaneously. The N5100 is a true quad-core, but it does not support Hyper-Threading, so it also processes 4 threads. The N5100's boost clock of 2.80 GHz is lower than the i3's fixed 3.20 GHz, yet the newer architecture compensates for the clock disadvantage. The N5100 also integrates a newer GPU (UHD Graphics 24EU) compared to the i3's HD 4600, though neither is designed for gaming. The N5100's 10 nm process is a clear architectural advantage, enabling the dramatic TDP reduction from 35 watts down to 6 watts.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: choose based on platform and power, not performance. In every benchmark, the Intel Celeron N5100 beats the Intel Core i3-4360T, but the margins are all under 1%. The N5100 wins Cinebench R15 by 0%, R20 multi-core by 0.3%, R20 single-core by 0.6%, R23 multi-core by 0.4%, and R23 single-core by 0.3%. These are rounding errors in real-world use. The average benchmark scores are 966 for the N5100 and 963 for the i3-4360T, putting both at the 26th percentile of all CPUs.

The deciding factors are the specifications. The N5100 is a 6-watt mobile chip on a BGA 1338 socket with DDR4 support, making it ideal for a low-power, always-on system or a compact laptop. It is end-of-life, so availability may be limited. The i3-4360T is a 35-watt desktop chip on Socket 1150 with DDR3 support, making it a drop-in upgrade for older desktop motherboards. It is still in active production.

If you are building a new, power-efficient system from scratch, the N5100 is the better choice due to its dramatically lower TDP and modern memory support. If you are upgrading an existing Socket 1150 desktop and want to avoid a full platform change, the i3-4360T is the only option that fits. Neither processor offers a meaningful speed advantage over the other, so the decision should be driven entirely by the physical socket, power budget, and memory type required by your system. The data shows a tie in performance; the specifications break the tie based on your needs.