Intel Core i3-4130 vs Intel Core i5-5257U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5257U and Intel Core i3-4130 are both dual-core, four-thread processors, but they target different market segments and deliver distinctly different performance profiles. The i3-4130, a desktop Haswell part, wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the data, while the i5-5257U, a mobile Broadwell chip, counters with a significantly more efficient process node and a superior integrated GPU. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the choice between them depends heavily on the intended use case.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent: the Intel Core i3-4130 outperforms the Intel Core i5-5257U in every single test recorded, with the margin hovering around 15% across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-4130 scores 285 against the i5-5257U's 242, a delta of -15.1%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i3-4130 posts 1189 versus 1010 for the i5-5257U, again a -15.1% difference. The consistency of this gap across different Cinebench versions suggests a stable underlying performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-4130 scores 168 while the i5-5257U manages 142, a -15.5% delta. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the i3-4130 at 400 versus 339 for the i5-5257U, a -15.2% difference. The i5-5257U does have a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, but the i3-4130's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz appears to be the decisive factor, as the desktop chip has no boost clock at all yet still leads in every test.

The multicore results are particularly telling because both processors have the same core and thread configuration: 2 cores and 4 threads. With identical thread counts, the i3-4130's 15.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore (2833 vs 2406) can be attributed almost entirely to its higher sustained clock speeds. The i5-5257U's boost clock of 3.10 GHz is its maximum, but the i3-4130's 3.40 GHz base clock is effectively its floor, meaning the desktop chip maintains a higher frequency under sustained multi-threaded loads.

Geekbench results, available only for the i5-5257U, show a multicore score of 1773 and a single-core score of 922. While there is no direct Geekbench comparison for the i3-4130 in the data, the Cinebench results provide sufficient evidence of the performance gap. The average benchmark score for the i5-5257U is 976, and for the i3-4130 it is 975, a difference of just 0.1% — but this aggregate figure is misleading because it includes different benchmark suites for each chip. The head-to-head data, which uses identical tests, is far more reliable, and it shows the i3-4130 winning all five comparisons.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-4130 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, taking 5 wins to 0. Anyone prioritizing raw CPU performance for desktop workloads should choose the i3-4130, as its scores are consistently 15% higher across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore tests. The i5-5257U's only advantages are qualitative — a smaller 14 nm process node versus 22 nm, and the more capable Intel Iris 6100 graphics versus Intel HD 4400 — but these do not translate into any benchmark wins in the data.

The i5-5257U is better suited for a mobile or ultrabook environment where power efficiency and integrated graphics quality matter more than raw compute throughput. Its 28 W TDP is roughly half the i3-4130's 54 W TDP, and its 14 nm process node suggests better thermal characteristics for thin-and-light designs. However, for a desktop system where the i3-4130's Socket 1150 platform is available, the performance advantage is decisive. The i3-4130 is also listed as "Active" in production status while the i5-5257U is "End-of-life," suggesting the desktop chip has better long-term availability.

Neither processor is a standout in the broader market: both sit at the 26th percentile compared to all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores (976 for the i5-5257U, 975 for the i3-4130) place them in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for both chips include the Intel Core i3-4150T and AMD Athlon X4 840, each with average scores of 975 and delta percentages within 0.1%. This means the i3-4130's head-to-head dominance over the i5-5257U does not boost it to a higher performance class — it simply makes it the better choice of these two specific processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 wins in every multi-core test. It scores 285 vs 242 in Cinebench R15, 1189 vs 1010 in R20, and 2833 vs 2406 in R23, each with a delta of -15.1% in its favor.

Q: Does the i5-5257U's boost clock help it in single-core tests?

A: No. Despite having a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, the i5-5257U still loses single-core tests. The i3-4130 scores 168 vs 142 in Cinebench R20 single-core (-15.5%) and 400 vs 339 in R23 single-core (-15.2%), likely due to its higher 3.40 GHz base clock with no boost needed.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-5257U has a TDP of 28 W, while the i3-4130 has a TDP of 54 W. The i5-5257U is rated for nearly half the power draw, though the data does not include any thermal or efficiency benchmark results.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The i5-5257U has a listed memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i3-4130's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-5257U features Intel Iris 6100, while the i3-4130 has Intel HD 4400. The data does not include any graphics benchmarks, so the performance difference is not quantified, but the Iris 6100 is the more capable integrated GPU.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two processors?

A: The i5-5257U is listed as "End-of-life," while the i3-4130 is listed as "Active." The i5-5257U was released on February 28, 2015, and the i3-4130 was released on August 31, 2013.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i5-5257U has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz, whereas the i3-4130 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and no boost clock at all. The TDP is a major differentiator: the i5-5257U draws 28 W, the i3-4130 draws 54 W.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-5257U uses Intel BGA 1168 (mounted to a mobile board), while the i3-4130 uses Intel Socket 1150 (a standard desktop socket). The i5-5257U has a PCIe configuration of Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4130 supports PCIe Gen 3 with no lane count specified. The i5-5257U has a launch MSRP of $315, while the i3-4130 has no MSRP listed. The part numbers differ (SR26K for the i5-5257U, SR1NP for the i3-4130), as do the market segments: Mobile vs Desktop.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is generational. The i5-5257U uses Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 133 mm² and 1,900 million transistors. The i3-4130 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a larger die size of 177 mm² but fewer transistors at 1,400 million. The i5-5257U's smaller die and higher transistor count on a more advanced node indicate a denser, more efficient design.

Both share the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-5257U carrying Intel Iris 6100 versus the i3-4130's Intel HD 4400. The generation labels confirm the split: the i5-5257U is listed as "Core i5 (Broadwell-U)" and the i3-4130 as "Core i3 (Haswell)." The i5-5257U's memory bandwidth is specified at 29.9 GB/s, while the i3-4130's is not listed. Both are manufactured by Intel and are multiplier-unlocked? No — both have multiplierUnlocked set to false.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4130 wins in every CPU benchmark category measured. If the workload is compute-intensive — rendering, compiling, or any multi-threaded application — the i3-4130 is the clear choice, with a consistent 15% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz provides sustained performance without relying on boost behavior, which is beneficial for long-running desktop workloads. The i3-4130 is also the more practical desktop option due to its Socket 1150 compatibility and "Active" production status.

The Intel Core i5-5257U wins in no benchmark tests, but its strengths lie elsewhere. For a mobile or compact system, the 28 W TDP is a significant advantage over the 54 W i3-4130, enabling thinner designs with lower cooling requirements. The 14 nm process node and Intel Iris 6100 graphics make it the better choice for a laptop that needs decent integrated graphics for casual gaming or media playback, though the data does not include graphics benchmarks. The i5-5257U's memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s is explicitly listed, whereas the i3-4130's is not, which may indicate a more capable memory subsystem for certain tasks. However, for pure CPU throughput, the data shows the i3-4130 as the definitive winner, with the i5-5257U trailing by roughly 15% in every head-to-head comparison.