CPU Comparison

# Intel Core i3-4130T vs Intel Core i3-6300

The Intel Core i3-4130T and Intel Core i3-6300 are both dual-core, four-thread desktop processors, but they come from different eras of Intel’s lineup. The i3-4130T is a Haswell part on Socket 1150, while the i3-6300 is a Skylake chip on Socket 1151. Across the five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the i3-6300 wins every single test, with deltas between -27.8% and -28% in favor of the newer chip. However, the average benchmark scores are remarkably close, 984 for the i3-4130T versus 978 for the i3-6300, which puts both at nearly the same percentile ranking (27th vs 26th). This is a case where the newer part dominates in raw compute, but the older part holds its own in the broader context of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-6300 wins in every measurable multi-core and single-core workload in the head-to-head data. It takes all five benchmark comparisons outright, with the largest margin in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 200 versus the i3-4130T’s 144, a 28% difference. The multi-core results tell the same story: in Cinebench R15, the i3-6300 scores 340 versus 245, and in R23, it hits 3380 versus 2440. There is no benchmark in the dataset where the i3-4130T comes out ahead. The i3-4130T’s only consolation is that it does not lose by a wider margin; the 27.8–28% deficit is consistent across all tests, meaning the gap is largely a matter of clock speed and architecture efficiency rather than any workload-specific advantage.

The i3-4130T does have one practical edge: its 35W TDP versus the i3-6300’s 51W. That makes the older chip more suited to low-power or compact builds where heat and power draw are the primary constraints. The i3-4130T also uses DDR3 memory, which may be cheaper or already available in older systems, while the i3-6300 requires DDR4. For someone upgrading an existing Socket 1150 board, the i3-4130T is the drop-in option; for a new build, the i3-6300 is the performance pick.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are three years apart in release, with the i3-4130T launching in August 2013 and the i3-6300 in August 2015. The i3-4130T is built on Intel’s 22nm Haswell architecture with a die size of 177 mm², while the i3-6300 uses the 14nm Skylake process with a smaller 150 mm² die. Both pack 1,400 million transistors, but the newer process node allows the i3-6300 to run at a higher base clock, 3.80 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, while still being a mainstream desktop part. Neither chip has a boost clock, so the base clock is the maximum sustained frequency.

Cache configuration also differs. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is larger on the i3-6300: 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared on the i3-4130T. That extra 1 MB of L3, combined with the newer architecture and higher clock, explains much of the performance gap. Memory support is another split: the i3-4130T uses DDR3, while the i3-6300 supports DDR4 with a rated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both are dual-channel, and neither supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics also differ, Intel HD 4400 on the i3-4130T versus Intel HD 530 on the i3-6300, though no graphics benchmarks are in the data.

The sockets are incompatible: Socket 1150 for the i3-4130T and Socket 1151 for the i3-6300. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the i3-6300 explicitly lists 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-4130T only states Gen 3 without a lane count. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i3-6300 scores 200 against the i3-4130T’s 144. That 28% advantage is the largest single delta in the dataset. The multi-core R20 test shows a similar 27.8% gap: 1419 versus 1024. In Cinebench R23, the i3-6300 again leads by 27.8% in multi-core (3380 vs 2440) and by 27.9% in single-core (477 vs 344). The R15 multi-core test rounds out the sweep with a 27.9% edge: 340 versus 245.

These deltas are remarkably uniform, hovering between -27.8% and -28% across every test. That consistency suggests the difference is not workload-dependent; it is a straightforward consequence of the i3-6300’s higher clock speed and newer architecture. The i3-4130T’s 2.90 GHz base clock is 0.90 GHz lower than the i3-6300’s 3.80 GHz, and the 14nm Skylake design is more efficient per clock than 22nm Haswell. The result is that the i3-6300 is roughly 28% faster in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, which is a substantial margin for two processors with identical core and thread counts.

One note: the i3-4130T has no single-core R15 score in the dataset, and the i3-6300 lists a surprisingly low 52 for that test, which appears to be an outlier compared to its other scores. The R20 and R23 single-core results are more consistent, so any analysis should weight those more heavily.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-6300 always faster than the i3-4130T?

A: Yes, in every head-to-head benchmark listed, the i3-6300 wins. It leads by 27.8% to 28% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests. The i3-4130T has zero wins out of five comparisons.

Q: Which CPU has lower power consumption?

A: The i3-4130T has a 35W TDP, while the i3-6300 has a 51W TDP. The i3-4130T is the better choice for power-constrained or compact builds, although it sacrifices performance.

Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both processors?

A: No. The i3-4130T uses Intel Socket 1150, and the i3-6300 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are physically incompatible, and the memory type also differs, the i3-4130T requires DDR3, while the i3-6300 uses DDR4.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to other CPUs?

A: The i3-4130T has an average benchmark score of 984, placing it at the 27th percentile of all CPUs. The i3-6300 scores 978, at the 26th percentile. Despite the i3-6300’s dominance in direct comparisons, the overall averages are nearly identical, meaning both are mid-low tier performers.

Q: Does either chip support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the i3-4130T and the i3-6300 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The i3-6300 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4130T has 3 MB. Both have the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-6300 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all five head-to-head tests with a consistent 28% margin, driven by a 0.90 GHz higher base clock, a newer 14nm Skylake architecture, and an extra 1 MB of L3 cache. For any workload that depends on CPU compute, rendering, encoding, general productivity, the i3-6300 is the clear choice. Its 51W TDP is higher than the i3-4130T’s 35W, but that is a reasonable trade for the performance gain.

The i3-4130T is not without merit. Its lower TDP makes it suitable for fanless or low-power builds, and its compatibility with DDR3 and Socket 1150 means it can breathe new life into an older motherboard. If you already own a Haswell-era system and need a modest upgrade, the i3-4130T is a drop-in option. But for a new build or a platform change, the i3-6300 is the better investment, it is faster, more modern, and still actively produced, while the i3-4130T’s production status is not listed.

The average benchmark scores, 984 for the i3-4130T and 978 for the i3-6300, are nearly identical, which is surprising given the 28% gap in direct comparisons. This is because the i3-6300’s nearest rivals include other low-power dual-cores like the i3-4150T and the i5-5257U, while the i3-4130T sits alongside older quad-core parts like the i7-875K and Xeon X3470. In the broader market, both chips are similarly positioned at the 26–27th percentile. But among themselves, the i3-6300 is the outright winner.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4130T | Intel Core i3-6300 |

|----------------|---------------------|--------------------|

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 51W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 150 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Intel HD 530 |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2015-08-31 |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Part Number | SR1NN | SR2HA |

Both chips share 2 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, and the same 1,400 million transistor count. The i3-6300’s higher clock, larger cache, newer node, and DDR4 support give it the decisive edge in every benchmark.