Intel Core i3-13100 vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1355U and the Intel Core i3-13100 represent two different interpretations of the Raptor Lake architecture, one tuned for mobile efficiency and the other for desktop performance. Both processors share the same 10 nm process node and a 12 MB shared L3 cache, yet the recorded benchmark data shows a clear and complex split in their capabilities. The i7-1355U wins 9 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the i3-13100 takes 8, making this a near-even contest that hinges on specific workload types.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single-score advantage belongs to the Core i7-1355U in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 255.5 against the i3-13100's 170, a 50.3% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests the mobile chip's boost behavior under short, lightly threaded loads is exceptionally strong. The i7 also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.9% (1825 versus 1692), reinforcing its single-thread dominance in newer Cinebench versions.

In multi-core workloads, the results are more varied. The i7-1355U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 15.3% (1393 versus 1208), but the i3-13100 flips the script in Cinebench R20 and R23. The i3 leads by 1.7% in R20 multi-core (5034 versus 4949) and by a commanding 30.9% in R23 multi-core (11986 versus 8286). This R23 gap is the second-largest delta in the dataset and indicates that sustained multi-threaded rendering favors the desktop part heavily, likely due to its higher thermal and power envelope.

The Passmark suite tells a complementary story. The i7-1355U wins integer math by 25.9% (52002 versus 41313), data encryption by 22.1% (9831 versus 8049), floating-point math by 8.2% (34965 versus 32325), multithread by 4.2% (14299 versus 13726), physics by 2.1% (888 versus 870), and random string sorting by 10.7% (17631 versus 15925). These wins are consistent with a processor that has more physical cores (10 versus 4) and can distribute parallel integer and encryption tasks effectively.

The i3-13100 counters with Passmark wins in data compression by 3.5% (161424 versus 155727), extended instructions by 21.1% (11053 versus 8726), find prime numbers by 1.9% (52 versus 51), and single-thread by 0.5% (3460 versus 3444). The extended instructions result is notable: it shows the i3's ability to handle AVX and similar workloads far better, a 21.1% margin that outweighs its core-count disadvantage in this specific test. The single-thread Passmark scores are nearly identical, with the i3 edging ahead by just 16 points.

The average benchmark scores place the i7-1355U at 18730 versus 18380 for the i3-13100, a difference of 350 points. The i7 sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i3 sits at the 72nd, making them effectively equivalent in overall database ranking. The nearest rivals for the i7 include the AMD EPYC 7643 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i5-12400 (0.3% ahead), AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (0.4% behind), and Intel Core i3-14100F (1.1% behind). For the i3-13100, the nearest rivals are Intel Core 7 360 (0% delta), Intel Core 5 330 (0.2% ahead), Intel Core i3-14100 (0.3% ahead), and Intel Core 3 305 (0.4% ahead). These rival deltas show both chips clustering tightly with mid-range desktop and mobile parts, with no clear overall winner in aggregate performance.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental split is in core configuration. The i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-13100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This explains the i7's advantage in integer math and encryption, where more physical cores can be fed in parallel. However, the i3's higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 1.70 GHz) and boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 5.00 GHz) partially compensate, though the i7's boost is higher on paper. The i3's 60 W TDP versus the i7's 15 W TDP is a major differentiator: the desktop part can sustain higher clocks under load, which directly contributes to its 30.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Both processors use the Raptor Lake architecture, but the i7 is Raptor Lake-U (mobile) and the i3 is Raptor Lake-S (desktop). The process node is identical at 10 nm, and both use 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a shared 12 MB L3. The i3 has a die size of 163 mm², while the i7's die size is not recorded. Memory support is the same: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with no ECC support. The PCIe configuration differs significantly: the i7 offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the i3 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), giving the desktop part twice the lane count and a newer standard.

Integrated graphics also diverge. The i7 uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, a more capable GPU for mobile tasks. The i3 uses UHD Graphics 730, which is a more basic solution. The sockets are incompatible: the i7 uses Intel BGA 1744, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1700. The i7's part number is SRMLY, the i3's is SRMBU. Both are active production parts released on the same date, 2023-01-03, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Core i7-1355U is the superior choice for workloads that are short, lightly threaded, or heavily parallel with integer arithmetic. Its 50.3% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 25.9% lead in Passmark integer math are decisive. It also wins encryption by 22.1%, making it suitable for tasks like file encryption or hash computation. The 15 W TDP means it fits in thin-and-light mobile systems, and its Iris Xe Graphics 96EU provides more capable integrated graphics.

The Core i3-13100 is the better choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering and AVX-heavy workloads. Its 30.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest multi-core margin in the comparison, and its 21.1% lead in Passmark extended instructions shows a clear advantage in SIMD operations. The 60 W TDP allows it to maintain higher clocks under load, which is critical for long render jobs. Its Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes also provides more expansion bandwidth for desktop systems.

For a user choosing between these two, the decision rests on power budget versus sustained performance. The i7-1355U offers better single-core responsiveness and superior integer throughput in a low-power package, while the i3-13100 delivers far stronger multi-core rendering and instruction-set versatility in a desktop socket. Neither chip dominates the other in aggregate, as the percentile rankings (73 versus 72) and average scores (18730 versus 18380) are nearly identical.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 1825, beating the Intel Core i3-13100's 1692 by 7.9%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i7-1355U scores 255.5 versus the i3-13100's 170, a 50.3% lead. The second-largest gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i3-13100 leads by 30.9% (11986 versus 8286).

Q: How do the core counts and TDPs compare?

A: The i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads with a 15 W TDP, while the i3-13100 has 4 cores and 8 threads with a 60 W TDP. The i7's base clock is 1.70 GHz, and the i3's is 3.40 GHz; the i7 boosts to 5.00 GHz, the i3 to 4.50 GHz.

Q: Which CPU performs better in Passmark integer math?

A: The i7-1355U wins Passmark integer math by 25.9%, scoring 52002 versus the i3-13100's 41313.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory and cache?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode, and both have 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3 cache. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores and percentiles?

A: The i7-1355U has an average benchmark score of 18730 and sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. The i3-13100 has an average score of 18380 and sits at the 72nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1355U wins in 9 of 17 head-to-head tests, with strengths in single-core responsiveness and parallel integer workloads. Its wins include Cinebench R15 single-core (50.3% lead), Passmark integer math (25.9%), Passmark data encryption (22.1%), Passmark random string sorting (10.7%), Passmark floating-point math (8.2%), Cinebench R23 single-core (7.9%), Passmark multithread (4.2%), Passmark physics (2.1%), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (15.3%). This makes it the better choice for mobile users who need snappy application launches, spreadsheet calculations, or encryption tasks, all within a 15 W thermal envelope.

The Intel Core i3-13100 wins 8 of 17 tests, with its largest victories in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 30.9% and Passmark extended instructions by 21.1%. It also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core (1.7%), Cinebench R20 single-core (1.7%), Passmark data compression (3.5%), Passmark find prime numbers (1.9%), and both Passmark single-thread tests (0.5% each). This indicates it is the stronger part for video rendering, 3D modeling, AVX-optimized software, and sustained desktop workloads where the 60 W TDP can be sustained. Its Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes also makes it the better foundation for a desktop system with multiple expansion cards, a feature the i7's Gen 4 8-lane configuration cannot match.