Intel Core 3 100U vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core 3 100U is the only one with recorded benchmark results, as the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has no benchmark entries in the database. Consequently, the Intel part wins every measured test by default. However, the comparison is not about direct performance parity; it is about differing capabilities and intended workloads.

The Intel Core 3 100U delivers its strongest results in multi-threaded productivity tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 10624 and Passmark multithread score of 12522 indicate solid sustained performance for content creation, compilation, and office workloads. The single-core performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1499 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3506. These numbers place the chip at the 70th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has zero benchmark scores, zero wins, and an average benchmark score of 0. Its percentile rank of 50 is the default value for an unmeasured part. The database shows no head-to-head benchmark entries and no nearest rivals for this chip. The RTX Spark is listed as unreleased, which explains the absence of measured data.

The Intel part also wins on availability and integration. It has an active production status, a release date of January 2024, and a launch MSRP of $426. The RTX Spark is unreleased and has no launch MSRP. The Intel chip uses a standard Intel BGA 1744 socket and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the RTX Spark has no socket listed and supports only LPDDR5X.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap between these two parts is substantial. The Intel Core 3 100U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The NVIDIA RTX Spark uses the N1X codename with a Spark (GB10) generation label, built on TSMC's 3 nm process node. The process node difference alone indicates a generational leap in transistor density and power efficiency for the RTX Spark.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel chip has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the RTX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads. The RTX Spark has no hyperthreading, meaning each core handles one thread. The Intel chip uses hyperthreading to reach 8 threads from 6 physical cores. The RTX Spark's 20 cores represent a substantial advantage in raw parallel throughput capability, though it remains unmeasured.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Intel Core 3 100U has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The RTX Spark has a higher base clock of 1.70 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip's higher boost clock suggests better single-thread burst performance, while the RTX Spark's higher base clock indicates sustained all-core operation at a faster rate.

Cache hierarchies are markedly different. The Intel chip uses 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The RTX Spark uses 128 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The RTX Spark has more per-core cache, which can benefit workloads that fit within each core's private cache, but the Intel chip has more total shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the RTX Spark uses a GB20B "Blackwell" integrated GPU. The memory controllers are also distinct: Intel supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, while the RTX Spark supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The RTX Spark's quad-channel LPDDR5X configuration provides a significant memory bandwidth advantage, though the Intel chip's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers broader compatibility.

Power targets diverge sharply. The Intel Core 3 100U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the RTX Spark has a TDP of 38 watts. The RTX Spark draws more than double the power, which is consistent with its 20-core configuration and Blackwell GPU. The Intel chip's lower TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, while the RTX Spark targets higher-performance mobile systems.

Other notable differences: the Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the RTX Spark lists PCIe as N/A. The Intel die size is not recorded, but the RTX Spark has a die size of 208 mm². Neither part supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries between these two processors. The wins counter shows 0 for both parts. The RTX Spark has no benchmark scores at all, making direct numerical comparison impossible. The Intel Core 3 100U's scores stand alone in the database.

Focusing on the Intel part's measured performance, the data shows a capable mobile processor. In Cinebench R15, it scores 1070 multicore and 150 single-core. In Cinebench R20, the scores are 4462 multicore and 629 single-core. The R23 scores of 10624 multicore and 1499 single-core confirm scaling across Cinebench versions.

Passmark results show varied strengths. Data compression scores 136497, which is a strong result. Integer math scores 39580, floating-point math scores 28322, and extended instructions score 7894. Data encryption scores 8128. Random string sorting scores 15191. Prime number finding scores 52, which is a low figure. Physics scores 876.

The Intel chip's nearest rivals in the database provide context. The Intel Core i7-10850H has an average score of 16204, which is 0.3% higher than the Core 3 100U's 16148. The Intel Core i5-10600KF scores 16228, 0.5% higher. The Intel Core i7-1260U scores 16320, 1.1% higher. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H scores 16341, 1.2% higher. These deltas are all within a narrow band, indicating the Core 3 100U performs comparably to these established desktop and mobile parts despite its low 15-watt TDP.

The RTX Spark has no rivals listed, no scores, and no percentile beyond the default 50. The database treats it as an unmeasured entry, so any performance conclusion would be speculative. The data only confirms its specifications, not its behavior.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core 3 100U is the measured performer, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) remains an unverified entry. Anyone requiring benchmark-verified performance should select the Intel part based on the recorded data alone.

The Intel Core 3 100U suits workloads that benefit from mature software support, established platform compatibility, and efficient power draw. Its 15-watt TDP, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support, and active production status make it a practical choice for thin-and-light mobile systems. Its performance sits within 1.2% of four nearest rivals, all of which have higher TDPs, indicating efficient execution.

The RTX Spark targets a different profile. Its 20 cores, 38-watt TDP, 3 nm process, quad-channel LPDDR5X with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth, and Blackwell integrated GPU suggest a high-performance mobile part. However, the database records no benchmark results, no release date beyond the future-dated 2025-12-31, and a production status of unreleased. The 208 mm² die size and TSMC foundry indicate a serious silicon effort, but the lack of data prevents any performance claims.

Users needing a mobile processor today should choose the Intel Core 3 100U. Users evaluating the RTX Spark must wait for measured results. The data cannot support any other verdict.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Q: What memory bandwidth does the RTX Spark support?

A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark supports quad-channel LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The Intel Core 3 100U supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has a TDP of 15 watts, and the NVIDIA RTX Spark has a TDP of 38 watts.

Q: Are there any benchmark scores for the RTX Spark?

A: No. The database lists zero benchmarks for the NVIDIA RTX Spark, with an average benchmark score of 0. The Intel Core 3 100U has 17 recorded benchmark scores.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 3 100U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100U | NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) |

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

| Cores | 6 | 20 |

| Threads | 8 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 1.20 GHz | 1.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 38 W |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 208 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 128 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 273.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | N/A |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | GB20B "Blackwell" |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Not recorded |

| Production Status | Active | Unreleased |

| Release Date | 2024-01-07 | 2025-12-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRMYL | GSE1-675-A1 |