Intel Core i3-4150 vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

# Intel Processor N97 vs Intel Core i3-4150

The database pits the Intel Processor N97, a low-power Alder Lake-N part built for mobile and compact systems, against the Intel Core i3-4150, a Haswell-era desktop processor. The comparison reveals two very different design philosophies. The N97 uses efficient Gracemont cores to deliver competitive multi-threaded throughput at a drastically reduced power envelope, while the i3-4150 relies on older, higher-clock desktop cores. Benchmark results show a clear split: the N97 dominates in multi-core workloads and holds its own in single-core, but the i3-4150 has no wins in the recorded head-to-head tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The Intel Processor N97 is the newer part. Its release date is recorded as January 2, 2023, while the Intel Core i3-4150 was released on April 30, 2014. The N97 belongs to the Alder Lake-N generation, while the i3-4150 is from the Haswell generation.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The N97 uses a single cluster of Gracemont efficiency cores, whereas the i3-4150 uses dual Haswell cores with Hyper-Threading.

Q: How much cache memory does each have?

A: The N97 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache. Its L3 cache is 6 MB (shared). The Core i3-4150 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Its shared L3 cache is 3 MB.

Q: What are the power requirements?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a 12W TDP. The Intel Core i3-4150 has a 54W TDP. This positions the N97 for fanless and ultra-compact designs.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The i3-4150 supports DDR3 memory. The N97 memory bus is single-channel, while the i3-4150 has a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which one has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The recorded average benchmark score across the database is 1132 for the N97. The Core i3-4150 scores an average of 1119. The N97 sits at the 32nd percentile compared to all CPUs, while the i3-4150 sits at the same 32nd percentile.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two parts of the Intel catalog is substantial. The Intel Processor N97 is built on the Gracemont core, part of the Alder Lake-N generation. It uses a 10nm process node and is manufactured by Intel. The package is Intel BGA 1264. It integrates 4 Gracemont cores and 4 threads, so there is no SMT here; each core is a single thread. It is made for the mobile market segment.

The Intel Core i3-4150, in contrast, uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 and is a desktop part. It has 2 Haswell cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. The i3-4150 uses a dual-channel memory bus and supports DDR3 memory. The i3 includes 1,400 million transistors on a 177mm² die, while the N97 is not listed for transistor or die size in the database.

The N97 integrates the 730 graphics. The i3-4150 integrates the Intel HD 4400 graphics. The i3-4150 uses a Gen 3 PCIe connection with 16 lanes for the CPU, while the N97 uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the CPU only.

The i3-4150 is over the hill and is no longer being produced. However, the N97 parts are active and in production. Also, the N97 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-4150 has no multiplier unlocked.

The Verdict

From a strictly database perspective, the Intel Processor N97 is the product to choose. In the head-to-head Cinebench tests, the N97 wins in two out of three tests and draws the third. The one test that matters most (Cinebench R23 multi-core) is essentially a statistical tie, with the N97 posting a score of 2913 against 2888 for the i3-4150. The largest margin is in single-core R23, where the N97 leads by 139.1% (973 to 407). This is surprising for a low-power, efficiency-core part. The i3-4150 wins no test, in fact. It does have a higher peak single-core clock speed of 3.50GHz, but the N97 boosts to 3.60GHz.

The i3-4150 has strengths elsewhere, namely the platform. It is a desktop socket part with a 54W TDP, dual-channel memory, 16 PCIe lanes and 4 cores/8 threads of software, which is good for older multitasking operating systems. However, the N97 is a modern, efficient mobile chip. It is the better choice for compact, low-power, always-connected systems. The i3-4150 is a legacy part and is end-of-life, which can be a drawback for new designs.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets show two very different design targets.

• Process node: Intel Processor N97 is built on a 10nm process. Intel Core i3-4150 is built on a 22nm process.
• Socket: The N97 uses Intel BGA 1264. The i3-4150 uses Intel Socket 920.
• Memory: The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5. The i3-4150 only supports DDR3.
• Memory bus: The N97 is single-channel. The i3-4150 is dual-channel.
• Graphics: The N97 includes UHD Graphics 730. The i3-4150 includes Intel HD 4400.
• PCIe: The N97 has Gen 3, 9 lanes (CPU only). The i3-4150 has Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only).
• Release status: The N97 was released on 2023-01-02 and is active. The i3-4150 was released on 2014-04-30 and is end-of-life.
• Market segment: The N97 is positioned for mobile. The i3-4150 is for desktop.
• Multiplier: The N97 multiplier is unlocked. The i3-4150 multiplier is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records three Cinebench comparisons between these two parts. The results show a split by workload.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 scores 479, beating the Core i3-4150's 290 by 65.2%. This is a significant margin and aligns with the N97's 4 efficiency cores versus the i3's 2 cores with multitasking.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the result is much closer: the N97 scores 2913, only 0.9% ahead of the i3-4150's 2888. Both are 4-core classes, but the i3-4150 has 2 cores with 4 threads and a higher base clock of 3.50GHz, which helps close the gap in modern multi-core rendering.

The biggest win for the N97 is in Cinebench R23 single-core. The N97 scores 973, the i3-4150 scores 407. That is a 139.1% difference. The N97's boost clock of 3.60GHz is close to the Core i3's base clock and gives it a huge advantage in lightly threaded tasks.

Where Each One Wins

Based on recorded benchmark wins, the use cases are clear.

Choose the Intel Processor N97 for:

• Low-power and compact designs. With a TDP of just 12W and a single-channel memory bus, the N97 is ready for fanless mini-PCs, laptops and embedded systems.
• Newer designs. The N97 is an active, modern part (2023) with an unlocked multiplier; the Core i3-4150 is an end-of-life 2014 part.
• Modern feature support. The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory; the i3-4150 is limited to DDR3.
• Integrated UHD Graphics 730 for basic graphics.

Choose the Intel Core i3-4150 for:

• Legacy desktop builds: If you are building a desktop on Socket 1150, the i3-4150 is the matching processor. It is a 54W part with dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes, marking it as a conventional desktop CPU.
• Older OS compatibility. The i3-4150 supports DDR3 memory, which may be easier to find for legacy systems.
• Threaded workloads on a budget. Benchmarks show Cinebench R15 multi-core margin is huge, 65.2% in favor of the N97, but the i3-4150's dual-core/4-thread setup can still handle older, threaded software.

The database's head-to-heads are decisive: Intel Processor N97 wins 3 of the 3 recorded tests. The Core i3-4150 has 0 wins. If the workload is multi-core and power efficiency or compactness is desired, the N97 is the modern choice. If a desktop part with legacy DDR3 support and an older socket is needed, the Core i3-4150 remains the appropriate selection.