Intel Core i3-4130 vs Intel Pentium Gold G5500T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data places the Intel Core i3-4130 ahead in every single benchmark matchup against the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T. Across five Cinebench tests, the i3-4130 wins all five, though the margins are consistently narrow. The largest gap appears in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the i3-4130 scores 168 against the G5500T's 165, a delta of 1.8%. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i3-4130 scores 285 versus 282, a 1.1% advantage.

In multi-core workloads, the i3-4130 leads by 1.2% in both Cinebench R20 (1189 vs 1175) and Cinebench R23 (2833 vs 2799). The single-core Cinebench R23 result shows a 1.3% edge for the i3-4130, with scores of 400 and 395 respectively. These deltas are small enough that in practical terms, the two processors are nearly indistinguishable in raw compute throughput, but the direction of every comparison favors the older Haswell part.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this pattern. The i3-4130 holds an average score of 975, while the G5500T trails at 963. That difference of 12 points represents roughly a 1.2% gap, consistent with the head-to-head deltas. Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite the slight numerical edge for the i3-4130.

For context on the G5500T's standing, its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i3-4360T at an identical average score of 963, and the AMD A8-9600 at 962, which is 0.1% behind. The Intel Celeron N5100 scores 966, placing it 0.4% ahead of the G5500T, and the Intel Xeon X5570 scores 967, also 0.4% ahead. The i3-4130's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon X4 840, Intel Core i3-4150T, and AMD A10-7870K, all at exactly 975, with the Intel Core i5-5257U at 976, just 0.1% ahead.

Where Each One Wins

The data does not show a single benchmark category where the Pentium Gold G5500T outperforms the Core i3-4130. Across all five recorded Cinebench tests, the i3-4130 wins every category, including both single-core and multi-core variants. This means the i3-4130 holds the advantage in threaded workloads like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, as well as in lightly threaded tasks represented by the single-core runs.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded productivity, the i3-4130's 1.2% lead in R20 and R23 multi-core tests translates to a measurable, if modest, edge in rendering and compilation tasks. The single-core performance gap of 1.3% to 1.8% in favor of the i3-4130 suggests it also handles everyday responsiveness and single-threaded applications slightly better.

The G5500T does have structural advantages that are not captured in these compute benchmarks. It supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the i3-4130 is limited to DDR3 without a bandwidth figure in the database. The G5500T also supports ECC memory, which the i3-4130 does not. These features matter for specific use cases like error-sensitive server or workstation tasks, even if they do not appear in the Cinebench scores.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the G5500T carries UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-4130 has Intel HD 4400. No graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database, so the performance impact cannot be quantified, but the architectural generation gap suggests the newer UHD solution is likely more capable for display output and basic media tasks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-4130 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with deltas ranging from 1.1% to 1.8%. While these margins are small, they are consistent across every test. The i3-4130 also holds a higher average benchmark score (975 vs 963) and sits at the same 26th percentile, but with a slight numerical superiority.

Users who prioritize pure compute performance from the recorded data should select the i3-4130. Its wins in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests make it the safer choice for general productivity, rendering, and any workload where the database results are representative. The 1.2% lead in multi-core R23 (2833 vs 2799) and the 1.8% lead in single-core R20 (168 vs 165) are the most notable advantages.

However, the G5500T has a clear counterargument for specific buyers. It is the only one of the two with ECC memory support, which is critical for error-correcting workloads in entry-level servers or workstations. It also runs on DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, offering a more modern memory platform. Its 35W TDP is lower than the i3-4130's 54W, which may matter for thermally constrained or low-power builds. The G5500T's production status is end-of-life, while the i3-4130 is listed as active, which could affect availability considerations.

For most desktop users, the i3-4130's consistent benchmark wins make it the data-driven choice. For users requiring ECC or DDR4 compatibility, the G5500T is the only option that satisfies those requirements, even at a slight performance cost.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 scores 400, while the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T scores 395, giving the i3-4130 a 1.3% advantage.

Q: Does the Pentium Gold G5500T win any benchmark in the head-to-head data?

A: No. The i3-4130 wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, with the G5500T losing by between 1.1% and 1.8%.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two processors?

A: The G5500T supports DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3-4130 supports DDR3, but no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database for it.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-4130 does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-4130 has an average score of 975, and the G5500T has an average score of 963, a difference of 12 points or roughly 1.2%.

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database, though the i3-4130 has a slightly higher average score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectural generations. The Core i3-4130 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Pentium Gold G5500T uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a smaller die size of 126 mm²; the database does not record a transistor count for the G5500T.

Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. The shared L3 cache differs: the i3-4130 has 3 MB shared, while the G5500T has 4 MB shared. The G5500T's larger L3 cache could help with data reuse in certain workloads, though the benchmark results do not show it translating into a performance win.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i3-4130 uses Intel HD 4400, while the G5500T uses UHD Graphics 630. The G5500T is built on a newer process and architecture, which typically brings improved media capabilities and display support, though no graphics benchmarks are in the database to confirm this.

The memory controller differs: the i3-4130 supports DDR3 with dual-channel access, while the G5500T supports DDR4 with dual-channel access and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The G5500T also adds ECC memory support, a feature absent from the i3-4130. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the G5500T lists 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4130's lane count is not specified.

Specification Differences

The socket is a primary difference: the i3-4130 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the G5500T uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

Clock speeds differ slightly. The i3-4130 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, while the G5500T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz. Neither processor has a boost clock listed in the database.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The i3-4130 has a TDP of 54W, while the G5500T has a lower TDP of 35W. This makes the G5500T more suitable for compact or low-power systems.

Memory support differs: the i3-4130 uses DDR3, while the G5500T uses DDR4. The G5500T also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which the i3-4130 does not have listed.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the G5500T. The i3-4130 does not support ECC.

Process node and die size differ: the i3-4130 is on 22 nm with a 177 mm² die, while the G5500T is on 14 nm with a 126 mm² die. Transistor counts are recorded only for the i3-4130 at 1,400 million.

Release dates differ: the i3-4130 was released in 2013, while the G5500T was released in 2018. Production status also differs: the i3-4130 is listed as active, while the G5500T is end-of-life.

The G5500T has a launch MSRP of $75, which may be stated once as a reference point, though pricing analysis is outside the scope of this data.