Intel Core i3-4160T vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Processor N150 wins two of the three head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-4160T takes one narrow victory. The magnitude of the wins, however, tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The most lopsided result appears in Cinebench R23 single-core performance. The Intel Processor N150 scores 935 points against the Core i3-4160T's 372 points. That is a 60.2% advantage for the N150, a massive gap in single-threaded workloads. This result reflects the N150's much higher boost clock capability and its newer architecture. The Core i3-4160T, with its fixed 3.10 GHz clock and Haswell design, simply cannot keep pace in tasks that rely on a single thread.

The Cinebench R15 multicore test also favors the Intel Processor N150, though by a smaller margin. The N150 posts 422.5 points versus 265 points for the Core i3-4160T. This translates to a 37.3% lead for the N150. In this older benchmark, the N150's four physical cores outperform the Core i3's two cores with Hyper-Threading. The N150's efficiency cores, despite their lower base clock, deliver substantially better aggregate throughput in this workload.

However, the Cinebench R23 multicore test flips the script. Here, the Intel Core i3-4160T edges out the N150 with a score of 2635 against 2590.5. That is a 1.7% margin, a narrow but real victory. The newer Cinebench R23 workload appears to favor the Core i3's Haswell architecture differently than R15 does. The two processors are essentially neck-and-neck in this test, with the Core i3 maintaining a slight edge despite its older design and fewer physical cores.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the Intel Processor N150 also holds a single-core advantage in Cinebench R15, where it scores 153.15 points. The Core i3-4160T has no recorded R15 single-core score in the database, so a direct comparison is not possible for that specific test. The N150's R23 single-core score of 935 is nearly 2.5 times the Core i3's 372 points.

The average benchmark scores place both processors near the same tier. The Core i3-4160T averages 1043 points across its benchmark suite, while the N150 averages 1025 points. Both sit in the 28th to 29th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Core i3 include the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 and AMD PRO A10-9700, both with an average score of 1045 (a 0.2% difference). The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U sits at 1041, 0.2% behind the Core i3. For the N150, the closest competitors include the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U, both at 1024 (0.1% difference), and the Intel Core i3-4340 at 1026 (0.1% ahead).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N150 dominates. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 935 versus the Core i3-4160T's 372, a 60.2% advantage. The N150 also records 153.15 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, though the Core i3 has no recorded score for that test.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the N150 leads with 422.5 points against 265, a 37.3% edge. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core i3-4160T wins narrowly at 2635 versus 2590.5, a 1.7% margin.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark average?

A: The Intel Core i3-4160T has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1043, compared to 1025 for the Intel Processor N150. Both sit near the 28th to 29th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core i3-4160T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Processor N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The N150 does not support Hyper-Threading, while the Core i3 does.

Q: How does the memory support differ?

A: The Core i3-4160T supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus. The Intel Processor N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with a single-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a newer release date?

A: The Intel Processor N150 was released on November 19, 2024. The Intel Core i3-4160T was released on July 20, 2014.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i3-4160T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Intel Processor N150 uses the Twin Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, also from Intel, but its transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

The Core i3-4160T is a desktop part built for Intel Socket 1150. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and no boost clock. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The N150 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1264, with 4 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is just 0.10 GHz, but it boosts to 3.60 GHz. The cache arrangement differs significantly: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core i3-4160T pairs with Intel HD 4400, while the N150 includes UHD Graphics 730. The N150 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i3 also uses PCIe Gen 3 but without a lane count specified in the database.

Memory support represents another major architectural divergence. The Core i3-4160T uses DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only with a single-channel bus. The N150's memory bandwidth is recorded at 38.4 GB/s, while the Core i3's bandwidth is not listed. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The power envelope differs dramatically. The Core i3-4160T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the N150 draws just 6 watts. This makes the N150 a far more power-efficient design, though the Core i3's higher TDP allows for sustained performance in desktop scenarios.

The Core i3-4160T belongs to the Core i3 (Haswell) generation, while the N150 is part of the Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) generation. The N150's part number is SRPNR. The Core i3-4160T is a desktop segment product, whereas the N150 targets the mobile segment. Both processors remain in active production status.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice depending on the workload. For single-threaded tasks, the Intel Processor N150 is the definitive winner. Its 60.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core over the Core i3-4160T is not close. Any application that relies heavily on one thread will perform substantially better on the N150.

For multi-threaded workloads, the picture is mixed. The N150 wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 37.3%, but the Core i3-4160T wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 1.7%. The two are effectively equivalent in modern multi-core rendering, with the Core i3 holding a slight edge in the newer test.

The Core i3-4160T offers a higher average benchmark score (1043 versus 1025) and sits at the 29th percentile versus the N150's 28th. This suggests that across all recorded benchmarks, the Core i3 is marginally more capable overall, despite its older architecture and lower core count.

The power efficiency argument strongly favors the N150. At 6 watts TDP versus 35 watts, the N150 delivers comparable average performance while consuming a fraction of the power. This makes it well-suited for compact, fanless, or battery-powered systems. The Core i3's higher power budget may allow for more consistent sustained performance in desktop builds with adequate cooling.

The memory situation also matters. The N150 supports newer memory standards (DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5) with a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Core i3 is limited to DDR3. For new system builds, the N150's memory compatibility is more future-proof. However, the Core i3's dual-channel bus may offer better memory throughput for certain workloads, though the database does not list its bandwidth figure.

The Core i3-4160T is the better choice for users with existing DDR3 platforms or those who prioritize the slightly higher average benchmark score. The Intel Processor N150 is the better choice for new low-power builds, single-threaded performance, and modern memory support.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4160T | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Twin Lake |

| Codename | Haswell | Twin Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | July 20, 2014 | November 19, 2024 |

| Part Number | Not recorded | SRPNR |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4160T wins in Cinebench R23 multicore, the only head-to-head test it takes. This indicates that in modern multi-threaded rendering workloads, the older Haswell design still holds a slight edge. Its dual-channel memory bus and higher base clock likely contribute to this result. The Core i3 also has a higher average benchmark score (1043 versus 1025) and a higher percentile ranking (29th versus 28th), suggesting it is marginally better across the full benchmark suite.

The Intel Processor N150 wins in Cinebench R15 multicore and Cinebench R23 single-core. Its 37.3% advantage in the older multicore test and 60.2% advantage in single-core make it the clear choice for applications that do not scale perfectly across all cores. The N150's 4 physical cores provide a solid foundation for parallel tasks, while its 3.60 GHz boost clock delivers exceptional single-thread performance.

The N150 also wins on power efficiency. With a 6 watt TDP versus 35 watts, it can be deployed in systems where heat dissipation and power consumption are critical constraints. Its support for DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory gives it broader compatibility with modern memory modules. The 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth is a recorded advantage, though the Core i3's bandwidth is not listed for direct comparison.

For users upgrading from older DDR3 platforms, the Core i3-4160T may offer an easier path, as it uses the same memory standard. For new builds, the N150's modern memory support and lower power requirements make it the more versatile option. The Core i3-4160T remains competitive in specific multi-threaded benchmarks, but the N150's overall versatility and efficiency give it the edge in most scenarios.