Intel Core 3 201E vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 3 201E and the NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) occupy entirely different corners of the processor market, and the recorded data makes the choice straightforward. The Intel Core 3 201E is an active, desktop-oriented processor with a full suite of benchmark scores, a 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, and an average benchmark score of 19056. The NVIDIA RTX Spark is an unreleased mobile part with no recorded benchmarks, a 50th percentile ranking, and an average benchmark score of 0. For anyone building a desktop system today, the Intel part is the only one with measurable performance data. The RTX Spark, by contrast, is a mobile chip with a 2025 release date and no validation in the database. The data indicates that the Intel Core 3 201E is the practical choice for desktop workloads, while the RTX Spark remains an unproven entity for mobile platforms.

The RTX Spark does have structural advantages in core count and process technology, but without benchmark results, those specifications cannot be translated into real-world performance. The Intel part delivers verified scores across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Passmark tests, making it the only defensible pick for tasks that require measured throughput. The verdict from the data is clear: choose the Intel Core 3 201E for any application where benchmark validation matters, and treat the RTX Spark as a specification sheet waiting for evidence.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply at the architectural level. The Intel Core 3 201E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The RTX Spark uses the N1X codename under the Spark (GB10) generation, built on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. It has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel chip has no simultaneous multithreading advantage in this comparison, but its higher boost clock suggests stronger single-thread capability. The RTX Spark relies on a much higher core count and a smaller process node, which typically indicates better power efficiency per transistor, though the database has no efficiency measurements to confirm this.

Cache hierarchies differ considerably. The Intel Core 3 201E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The RTX Spark has 128 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part offers more shared L3, while the RTX Spark provides larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations. The RTX Spark's die size is 208 mm², larger than the Intel chip's 163 mm². Memory support also differs: the Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory, while the RTX Spark uses LPDDR5X in a quad-channel configuration with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the RTX Spark lists PCIe as N/A. Integrated graphics also differ: Intel pairs the CPU with UHD Graphics 730, while the RTX Spark includes a GB20B "Blackwell" iGPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two processors, and the RTX Spark has an empty benchmark array. The Intel Core 3 201E, however, has a complete set of measurements. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel part scores 1271, and in single-core it scores 179. Cinebench R20 multicore reaches 5297 with a single-core score of 747. Cinebench R23 multicore hits 12613, while single-core reaches 1780. Passmark results show data compression at 164160, data encryption at 8931, extended instructions at 11035, and prime number finding at 57. Floating point math scores 33260, integer math scores 43894, and multithread performance is 14839. Physics tests score 1141, random string sorting scores 17783, and single-thread performance is 3482.

Since the RTX Spark has no scores, the comparison must rely on the Intel part's nearest rivals to contextualize its performance. The Intel Core 3 201E sits at a 0.0% delta from the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, which has an average score of 19047. It is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-12400F at 19039, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18982, and 0.4% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7773X at 18979. These deltas are tiny, indicating that the Intel Core 3 201E performs in a tight cluster with those established processors. The lack of any RTX Spark data means no direct wins can be assigned to either part in this section; the recorded data only supports the Intel chip's absolute scores.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows where the two processors differ on paper. The Intel Core 3 201E has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the RTX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads, a difference of 16 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ by 1.90 GHz in favor of Intel (3.60 GHz versus 1.70 GHz), and boost clocks differ by 0.80 GHz in favor of Intel (4.80 GHz versus 4.00 GHz). Thermal design power differs sharply: the Intel part has a 60 W TDP, while the RTX Spark has a 38 W TDP. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700, while the RTX Spark lists no socket. Process nodes differ by 7 nm, with Intel at 10 nm and the RTX Spark at 3 nm. Die size is 163 mm² for Intel and 208 mm² for the RTX Spark.

Cache specifications differ in every level. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for Intel versus 128 KB per core for the RTX Spark. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for Intel versus 2 MB per core for the RTX Spark. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel versus 8 MB shared for the RTX Spark. Memory support differs: Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the RTX Spark accepts LPDDR5X in quad-channel mode with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 16 lanes on Intel, while the RTX Spark has no PCIe listing. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on Intel versus GB20B "Blackwell" on the RTX Spark. Market segments differ: Intel is Desktop, the RTX Spark is Mobile. Production status differs: Intel is Active, the RTX Spark is unreleased. Release dates differ: Intel launched on 2025-01-12, while the RTX Spark is dated 2025-12-31. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $134 and part number SRVTR, while the RTX Spark has no MSRP and part number GSE1-675-A1. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark has 20 cores and 20 threads, compared to the Intel Core 3 201E's 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core 3 201E support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 3 201E supports ECC memory with dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5, while the RTX Spark does not support ECC and uses LPDDR5X.

Q: What is the release status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E is listed as Active with a release date of 2025-01-12, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark is listed as unreleased with a release date of 2025-12-31.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 3 201E has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which is 0.80 GHz higher than the NVIDIA RTX Spark's 4.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: Does the database contain any benchmark scores for the NVIDIA RTX Spark?

A: No, the RTX Spark has an empty benchmark array, an average benchmark score of 0, and no nearest rivals, while the Intel Core 3 201E has scores across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 3 201E wins in every category where the database has actual measurements. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 12613 and single-core score of 1780 demonstrate verified throughput, and its Passmark multithread score of 14839 confirms strong parallel performance. The Intel part also wins on boost clock, with 4.80 GHz versus 4.00 GHz, and on L3 cache capacity, with 12 MB versus 8 MB. It supports ECC memory, which matters for reliability-sensitive workloads, and it is an active, desktop part with a 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals show it performs within 0.4% of processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS and Intel Core i5-12400F, placing it in a well-established performance band.

The NVIDIA RTX Spark wins on paper in several structural categories. It has 20 cores and 20 threads, a 3 nm process node from TSMC, a larger die at 208 mm², larger L1 and L2 caches per core, and significantly higher memory bandwidth at 273.1 GB/s through a quad-channel LPDDR5X setup. Its TDP of 38 W is lower than the Intel part's 60 W, which suggests it may fit power-constrained mobile designs. However, none of these advantages are backed by benchmark scores in the database. The RTX Spark's 50th percentile ranking and average score of 0 mean it cannot claim a single measured win. For desktop builders, the Intel Core 3 201E is the only option with validated results. For mobile platforms awaiting an unreleased part, the RTX Spark offers intriguing specifications but no evidence of execution. The data supports a clear split: Intel wins on verified performance and availability, while the RTX Spark wins only on unverified architectural specifications.