CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N97 and the Intel Core i3-1115GRE are two active mobile processors that occupy the same overall performance percentile, yet they achieve this status through radically different designs and benchmark profiles. The data shows a fascinating split: the N97, a 4-core Gracemont part, dominates in most head-to-head tests, while the i3-1115GRE, a 2-core Tiger Lake chip, posts a massive victory in one specific multi-core workload. This analysis breaks down the numbers to understand what each processor does best and why the benchmark results diverge so sharply.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a clear pattern of the Intel Processor N97 winning decisively in three of the four shared tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N97 scores 161 against the i3-1115GRE’s 55, a staggering delta of 192.7% in favor of the N97. This is not a marginal difference; the N97 nearly triples the i3-1115GRE’s single-threaded R15 output. The R15 multi-core test also goes to the N97, with a score of 479 versus 392, a 22.2% advantage. The N97’s four physical cores clearly provide a solid lead in this older benchmark.

The Cinebench R23 results, however, tell a more complex story. In R23 single-core, the N97 again wins, scoring 973 against the i3-1115GRE’s 550, a 76.9% delta. This confirms the N97’s strength in lightly-threaded workloads, a significant edge for everyday responsiveness. But the R23 multi-core test flips the script entirely. Here, the i3-1115GRE scores 3899, while the N97 manages only 2913, giving the i3-1115GRE a 25.3% victory. This is the only head-to-head win for the i3-1115GRE, but it is a substantial one. The question is why a 2-core processor can beat a 4-core processor by such a large margin in a multi-core test.

The answer likely lies in the sustained performance characteristics of each chip. The i3-1115GRE has a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the N97’s 2.00 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. For a long-running multi-core workload like Cinebench R23, the i3-1115GRE’s higher clocks, combined with its Tiger Lake architecture’s superior instruction-per-clock (IPC) efficiency, allow it to pull ahead despite having fewer cores. The N97’s Gracemont cores are efficient but are designed for lower power envelopes, and the data suggests they cannot sustain the same level of throughput in this demanding test.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Processor N97 is the clear winner for single-threaded tasks and older multi-threaded applications. Its performance in Cinebench R15 multi-core and both single-core tests indicates it is well-suited for general productivity, web browsing, and office applications that rely on quick single-core bursts. The 192.7% lead in R15 single-core and the 76.9% lead in R23 single-core are not trivial; they suggest that the N97 will feel snappier in day-to-day use where most actions are single-threaded. The N97 also wins in R15 multi-core, meaning legacy software that uses multiple threads will still see a benefit from its 4-core design.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE, conversely, is the winner for modern, heavily-threaded workloads that can take advantage of its higher sustained clock speeds. Its 25.3% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the most telling result. This benchmark is a modern stress test that pushes processors to their limits for an extended period. The i3-1115GRE’s ability to outperform the N97 here suggests it is better equipped for tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or complex data analysis that can use all available threads for a long time. The i3-1115GRE’s dual-channel memory support, which the N97 lacks (it has single-channel), likely also contributes to this multi-core advantage by providing more bandwidth for the workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Processor N97 uses the Gracemont architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N family, and is fabricated on a 10 nm process. It has 4 cores and 4 threads. Its cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory but only on a single-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory. Its PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 9 lanes.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, and is also on a 10 nm process. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading technology. Its cache is organized differently: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is listed at 144 mm², a detail not provided for the N97. The i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory on a dual-channel bus, which is a key difference. It also supports ECC memory, a feature the N97 lacks. Its PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 4 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the N97 has UHD Graphics 730, while the i3-1115GRE has UHD Graphics G4 48EU.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark results. The N97’s Gracemont cores are efficiency-focused, which helps it achieve a low 12W TDP. The i3-1115GRE’s Willow Cove cores are performance-focused, with a higher 15W TDP. The dual-channel memory support on the i3-1115GRE is a significant advantage for multi-core performance, as it provides higher memory bandwidth than the N97’s single-channel configuration, even though the N97 supports faster memory standards like DDR5. The i3-1115GRE’s support for ECC memory also positions it for more reliability-focused applications, which is a notable feature absent from the N97.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N97 is significantly faster in single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 161 versus the i3-1115GRE’s 55, a 192.7% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N97 scores 973 versus 550, a 76.9% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-1115GRE ever beat the N97?

A: Yes, the i3-1115GRE wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 3899 against the N97’s 2913, a 25.3% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test it wins, but it is a decisive victory in a modern, demanding benchmark.

Q: How do their core counts differ?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-1115GRE has 2 cores and 4 threads, meaning it relies on Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the i3-1115GRE wins in the R23 multi-core test.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a single-channel bus, with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory on a dual-channel bus, which provides higher bandwidth, though no specific bandwidth figure is listed for it.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Only the Intel Core i3-1115GRE supports ECC memory. The Intel Processor N97 does not list ECC memory support in its specifications.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a TDP of 12W, while the Intel Core i3-1115GRE has a higher TDP of 15W. This indicates the i3-1115GRE is designed to draw more power for sustained performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N97 | Intel Core i3-1115GRE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 12W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Gracemont | Tiger Lake (Willow Cove-U) |

| Generation | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) | Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) |

| Die Size | Not listed | 144 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes | Gen 4, 4 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD Graphics G4 48EU |

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2020-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $338 |

| Part Number | SRMLM | SRK13 |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in use cases. The Intel Processor N97 is the better choice for users who prioritize single-threaded performance and light multi-threading. Its massive leads in both single-core tests and its win in R15 multi-core make it ideal for general-purpose computing, office productivity, and web-based tasks where responsiveness is key. Its lower 12W TDP and support for DDR5 memory, even if single-channel, make it an efficient option for such workloads. The N97’s 3 wins out of 4 head-to-head tests solidify its position as the overall benchmark champion.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE, despite having only one head-to-head win, is the better choice for specific, demanding multi-threaded applications. Its 25.3% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a powerful indicator of sustained performance capability. For users who run modern rendering, video editing, or scientific computing tasks that can fully utilize all threads for extended periods, the i3-1115GRE’s higher clocks and dual-channel memory support will be more beneficial. Its support for ECC memory also makes it a more compelling option for reliability-critical systems. The i3-1115GRE’s higher 15W TDP is the trade-off for this performance. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether the primary workload is bursty and single-threaded (choose N97) or sustained and multi-threaded (choose i3-1115GRE).