CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4340 and Intel Processor N150 sit at the same 28th percentile overall, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1026 vs 1025, yet they achieve parity through completely different performance profiles. The data reveals a fascinating split: the N150 wins 2 of the 3 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i3-4340 takes the most demanding multi-threaded test. Here is how they actually compare.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-core results are the most dramatic. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N150 scores 935 against the i3-4340’s 421, a 55% deficit for the older chip. That is not a marginal gap, the N150 delivers more than double the single-thread performance. This makes sense when you consider the N150’s boost clock of 3.60 GHz, but the i3-4340 also runs at 3.60 GHz base with no boost headroom. The architectural efficiency of the newer Twin Lake design is clearly the differentiator here.

The multi-core picture is more complex. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N150 posts 422.5 versus the i3-4340’s 300, giving the N150 a 29% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the tables turn completely. The i3-4340 scores 2983 against the N150’s 2590.5, a 15.2% win for the Haswell part. This reversal is noteworthy, the R15 and R23 tests stress different aspects of the CPU, and the results suggest the i3-4340 scales better under sustained, longer-duration multi-threaded loads, while the N150’s advantage shines in shorter bursts.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this near-total parity. The i3-4340 averages 1026, and the N150 averages 1025, a 0.1% difference that is statistically irrelevant. The nearest rivals confirm this: both CPUs sit within 0.2% of the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T and Intel Core i7-5650U. The data shows two processors that are evenly matched overall, but with opposite strengths. The N150’s wins come in the lighter, shorter tests; the i3-4340’s single win comes in the most punishing multi-core workload.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two is vast, spanning roughly a decade of Intel design evolution. The i3-4340 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node from Intel’s foundry. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The N150, by contrast, uses the Twin Lake architecture, which belongs to the Alder Lake-N generation, on a 10 nm process node. The N150’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data, but the process shrink alone suggests a fundamentally different design philosophy.

Core counts differ significantly. The i3-4340 has 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach that thread count. The N150 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading, but double the physical cores. Cache layouts also diverge. The i3-4340 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The N150 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The N150’s larger L3 (6 MB vs 4 MB) and shared L2 design reflect a modern approach to cache management.

Memory support is another major divergence. The i3-4340 supports only DDR3 in dual-channel mode, while the N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel mode. The N150 also lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i3-4340. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the N150 specifies 9 lanes (CPU only) while the i3-4340 does not list lane counts. The i3-4340 uses Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics; the N150 uses UHD Graphics 730. The i3-4340 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150; the N150 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1264. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N150 wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 935 versus the i3-4340’s 421, a 55% advantage.

Q: Which CPU wins multi-core workloads?

A: It depends on the test. The N150 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 422.5 vs 300, but the i3-4340 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 2983 vs 2590.5, a 15.2% margin.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable overall?

A: Yes. The i3-4340 averages 1026 and the N150 averages 1025 in benchmark scores, a 0.1% difference. Both sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The i3-4340 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The N150 has double the physical cores but no Hyper-Threading.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The i3-4340 supports only DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel mode, with a listed bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i3-4340 has a TDP of 54 watts, while the N150 has a TDP of 6 watts. This is a 48-watt difference, making the N150 far more power-efficient.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4340 | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 54 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Twin Lake |

| Generation | Core i3 (Haswell) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | Not listed |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

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

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

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2024-11-19 |

| Part Number | SR1NL | SRPNR |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N150 wins in scenarios that favor its modern architecture and physical core count. Its 55% single-core advantage in Cinebench R23 makes it the clear choice for lightly-threaded tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and everyday application responsiveness. The 29% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core suggests it handles short, bursty multi-threaded workloads well, think quick compiles, script execution, or rapid data processing. With a 6-watt TDP versus the i3-4340’s 54 watts, the N150 is also the obvious pick for fanless or battery-powered systems, mobile devices, and any build where power draw matters. Its support for DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory gives it modern platform flexibility.

The Intel Core i3-4340 wins in one specific but important scenario: sustained, heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its 15.2% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the longest and most demanding test in the dataset, indicates better sustained performance under prolonged load. This makes it the stronger choice for extended rendering sessions, video encoding, or other tasks that push a CPU to its limits for minutes at a time. The i3-4340 also benefits from dual-channel memory, which can improve bandwidth-sensitive applications. It is a desktop part, so it belongs in a traditional ATX or micro-ATX build with socket 1150 boards, whereas the N150’s BGA 1264 socket is soldered and typically found in compact or embedded systems.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear trade-off between efficiency and sustained throughput. The Intel Processor N150 is the better all-rounder for most users: it wins 2 of 3 head-to-head benchmarks, offers more than double the single-core performance, uses a fraction of the power, and supports modern memory standards. Its 4 physical cores and larger cache (6 MB L3 vs 4 MB) make it the more capable processor for general computing and bursty multi-threaded tasks. The near-identical average scores (1025 vs 1026) hide the fact that the N150 achieves parity with far less power and newer technology.

The Intel Core i3-4340 is the pick for one specific use case: sustained multi-threaded workloads where the R23 result matters more than anything else. Its 15.2% lead in that test shows it can maintain performance over time, likely due to its higher TDP and desktop-oriented design. If you are building a dedicated render box or a machine that will run CPU-intensive tasks for extended periods, the i3-4340’s R23 advantage is meaningful. However, for virtually everything else, mobile use, compact builds, daily driving, or any power-sensitive scenario, the N150 is the superior choice. The 48-watt TDP difference alone makes the N150 the more practical recommendation for modern builds, and its single-core dominance ensures snappier everyday performance. Users needing maximum sustained multi-core output should pick the i3-4340; everyone else should choose the N150.