Intel Core i3-14100 vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data between the Intel Core i7-1355U and the Intel Core i3-14100 presents a clear split: the desktop part dominates sustained multi-threaded workloads, while the mobile chip shows surprising strength in legacy single-thread tests and certain integer tasks. Out of 17 recorded comparisons, the i3-14100 wins 11, while the i7-1355U takes 6.

The most decisive margin belongs to the i3-14100 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It scores 12,820 against the i7-1355U's 8,286, a 35.4% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set, and it reflects the i3's ability to maintain higher clocks under sustained load. The i7-1355U, constrained by its mobile design, falls well behind in this render test.

However, the i7-1355U strikes back in Cinebench R15. It wins both the multi-core and single-core tests. In R15 multi-core, the i7-1355U posts 1,393 versus 1,292, a 7.8% lead. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 255.5 versus 182, a 40.4% advantage for the i7-1355U. This massive gap in the older R15 test suggests the mobile chip's boost behavior favors this particular workload.

The newer Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests tell a different story. In R20 single-core, the i3-14100 wins with 759 against 698, an 8% edge. In R23 single-core, the i7-1355U edges ahead by a razor-thin 0.9%, scoring 1,825 versus 1,809. So the single-thread crown flips depending on which version of Cinebench you run, with the i7-1355U winning the oldest and the newest, while the i3-14100 takes the middle ground.

Looking at Passmark results, the i7-1355U shows clear strengths in integer-heavy and encryption tasks. It wins Passmark integer math with 52,002 versus 45,329, a 14.7% margin. It also wins data encryption with 9,831 versus 8,838, an 11.2% lead. The i3-14100 counters in extended instructions, scoring 11,865 against 8,726, a 26.5% advantage. The i3-14100 also leads in data compression, 174,115 versus 155,727, a 10.6% gap.

In floating point math, the two are nearly tied. The i3-14100 scores 35,266 against 34,965, a mere 0.9% difference. Random string sorting is also close, with the i7-1355U winning 17,631 versus 17,397, a 1.3% edge. The i3-14100 wins the Passmark multi-thread score, 15,095 versus 14,299, a 5.3% margin, and the physics test, 958 versus 888, a 7.3% gap. The i3-14100 also leads in find prime numbers, 55 versus 51, a 7.3% difference, and in single-thread Passmark, 3,759 versus 3,444, an 8.4% advantage.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i7-1355U averages 18,730 across all tests, while the i3-14100 averages 18,318. That puts the i7-1355U in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, and the i3-14100 in the 72nd. The nearest rivals for the i7-1355U include the AMD EPYC 7643 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i5-12400 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (0.4% behind). The i3-14100 sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core 7 360, and it trails the Intel Core i3-13100 by 0.3%.

The Verdict

The data points to two different user profiles. If the workload is modern multi-threaded rendering, Cinebench R20 or R23, compression, or extended SIMD instructions, the Intel Core i3-14100 is the clear choice. Its 35.4% lead in R23 multi-core and 26.5% lead in extended instructions are not subtle differences. The i3-14100 also holds the edge in Passmark multi-thread, physics, and single-thread Passmark scores.

If the workload leans on older single-thread benchmarks or integer and encryption tasks, the Intel Core i7-1355U pulls ahead. Its 40.4% win in R15 single-core is the standout, but the 14.7% integer math lead and the 11.2% encryption lead are also significant. The i7-1355U also wins R15 multi-core and random string sorting, though by smaller margins.

For a desktop user building a system for sustained productivity, the i3-14100 is the stronger part based on the recorded data. For a mobile user who needs burst performance in specific legacy applications, the i7-1355U has merits. The i3-14100 wins 11 of 17 comparisons, and the average benchmark scores are within 2.2% of each other, but the distribution of wins is not balanced. The i3-14100's victories are often larger in magnitude, especially in the multi-core render tests.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, 73rd versus 72nd, so neither part is a class leader in the broader CPU market. The i3-14100's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100, which is only 0.3% ahead, and the Intel Core 5 330 and Intel Core 7 360, which are 0.1% and 0.3% ahead respectively. The i7-1355U's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-12400, which is 0.3% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, which is 0.4% behind.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Raptor Lake architecture, but they belong to different variants. The i7-1355U is based on Raptor Lake-U, a mobile-focused design. The i3-14100 is based on Raptor Lake-R, a desktop refresh. Both use Intel's 10 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel. The core counts differ significantly: the i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-1355U relies on a hybrid core arrangement to reach its higher core count, while the i3-14100 uses a more straightforward configuration.

The cache hierarchy is identical in structure. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. This means the total L3 is the same, but the i7-1355U's L3 is shared across more cores. The i3-14100 has a larger die size at 163 mm², while the i7-1355U's die size is not recorded in the database. The i3-14100 also supports ECC memory, while the i7-1355U does not.

The integrated graphics differ. The i7-1355U comes with Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, a more capable GPU for mobile use. The i3-14100 uses UHD Graphics 730, which is a more modest desktop solution. The PCIe support also differs: the i7-1355U offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-14100 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the desktop part more bandwidth for expansion cards and storage.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several recorded specifications. The i7-1355U has a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i3-14100 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The i3-14100 has a higher base clock by a wide margin, but the i7-1355U has a slightly higher boost clock. The TDP is very different: the i7-1355U is rated at 15 watts, while the i3-14100 is rated at 60 watts. This directly explains the i3-14100's sustained multi-core performance advantage.

The sockets are incompatible. The i7-1355U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile socket, while the i3-14100 uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The market segments reflect this: the i7-1355U is mobile, and the i3-14100 is desktop. The release dates differ as well, with the i7-1355U launching in January 2023 and the i3-14100 launching in January 2024. The i7-1355U carries the part number SRMLY, while the i3-14100 carries SRMX1. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Memory support is the same: both support DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. The i3-14100 supports ECC memory, which the i7-1355U does not. The launch MSRP for the i7-1355U is $469, and for the i3-14100 it is $134. Both are listed as active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor wins Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 wins with a score of 12,820 versus 8,286 for the i7-1355U, a 35.4% advantage.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-14100 has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-1355U does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher Passmark single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100 scores 3,759 in Passmark single-thread, versus 3,444 for the i7-1355U, an 8.4% lead.

Q: Which processor is rated for a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U is rated at 15 watts, while the Intel Core i3-14100 is rated at 60 watts.