CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-N300 and Intel Core i3-4370 represent two very different eras of Intel design, and the benchmark data reflects a sharp split between multi-threaded workloads and sustained single-core rendering. The N300 wins four of the five head-to-head comparisons, but the 4370 delivers the single largest margin of victory in the most demanding Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1135 for the N300 versus 1130 for the 4370, and both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same overall performance tier despite their architectural differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic victory for the Intel Core i3-N300 comes in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it scores 2849 against the 4370’s 1379. That is a 106.6% advantage, more than doubling the older chip’s output. The single-core R20 result follows the same pattern: the N300 scores 401 versus 194, a 106.7% lead. These two tests alone demonstrate that the Gracemont-based N300 has a fundamental throughput advantage in short, heavily threaded bursts and in lightly threaded tasks that scale with clock speed and instruction efficiency.

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a smaller but still clear win for the N300, 416 to 330, a 26.1% margin. This older test is less sensitive to the N300’s strengths, but the result still favors the newer part. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N300 wins again with 513 versus 463, a 10.8% edge. That is a modest but consistent single-threaded advantage across all three Cinebench versions.

The Intel Core i3-4370’s only victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3284 against the N300’s 2546. That is a 22.5% swing in favor of the Haswell part. This is the most modern and most demanding multi-core test in the set, and it reverses the trend seen in R15 and R20. The 4370’s higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and its dual-core, four-thread configuration appear to sustain higher performance over the longer duration of the R23 workload, while the N300’s eight cores at a 100 MHz base clock struggle to maintain their lead when thermal and power constraints come into play.

The head-to-head record is 4 wins for the N300 and 1 for the 4370. However, the single loss for the N300 is in the test that matters most for modern multi-core rendering, and the 4370’s win there is substantial. The average benchmark scores tell a balanced story: the N300’s average is 1135, while the 4370’s is 1130, a difference of only 0.4%. The N300’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3570T and i5-2550K, both with average scores of 1136, placing the N300 within 0.1% of those parts. The 4370’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 at 1130, with the i5-4690T and i7-3612QM also within 0.1%.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R20?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 wins decisively, scoring 2849 compared to the Intel Core i3-4370’s 1379, a 106.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4370 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the 4370 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 3284 against the N300’s 2546, a 22.5% margin.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The N300 has an average benchmark score of 1135, while the 4370 scores 1130. The difference is approximately 0.4%, and both CPUs sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The N300 wins both Cinebench R20 single-core (401 vs 194, a 106.7% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (513 vs 463, a 10.8% lead).

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the 4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-N300 has a base clock of 100 MHz. The N300’s boost clock is 3.70 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i3-N300 uses the Gracemont architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N generation. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core i3-4370 uses the Haswell architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process node. This process difference directly contributes to the power and thermal characteristics of each chip.

The N300 features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a cache hierarchy consisting of 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The N300’s larger L3 cache and higher core count are offset by its lower base clock, while the 4370’s higher base clock compensates for fewer cores in single-threaded and short-burst workloads.

The N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel memory bus, while the 4370 supports DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus. The N300’s memory bandwidth is listed at 38.4 GB/s, while the 4370’s bandwidth is not specified. The N300 uses a Gen 3 PCIe interface with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the 4370 uses Gen 3 PCIe without a lane count specified.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the N300 includes UHD Graphics 770, while the 4370 includes Intel HD 4600. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and do not support ECC memory. The N300 is a mobile-market part with a TDP of 7 watts, while the 4370 is a desktop-market part with a TDP of 54 watts. The 4370’s transistor count is 1,400 million, and its die size is 177 mm²; neither figure is available for the N300.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i3-N300 and Intel Core i3-4370 differ across nearly every major specification field. The N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the 4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The N300’s base clock is 100 MHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the 4370 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and no boost clock listed. The N300’s TDP is 7 watts, versus the 4370’s 54 watts.

The sockets are incompatible: the N300 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the 4370 uses Intel Socket 1150. The N300 is built on a 10 nm process with Gracemont architecture, while the 4370 uses a 22 nm process with Haswell architecture. The N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the 4370 supports DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth.

Cache sizes differ in every level: the N300 has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per module, and 6 MB shared L3; the 4370 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 on the N300 versus Intel HD 4600 on the 4370. The N300 is a mobile part with an active production status and a launch MSRP of $309, while the 4370 is a desktop part with no production status or MSRP listed. The N300’s release date is in January 2023, while the 4370’s is in July 2014.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: the Intel Core i3-N300 is the better choice for users whose workloads resemble Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, or any lightly threaded task, where it wins by margins from 10.8% to 106.7%. Its 8-core configuration and higher L3 cache give it a decisive advantage in these scenarios, and its single-core scores are consistently higher across R20 and R23. The N300’s 7-watt TDP and mobile form factor also make it the only viable option for low-power or laptop implementations.

The Intel Core i3-4370 is the better choice for sustained, modern multi-core rendering as measured by Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it beats the N300 by 22.5%. Its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz appears to allow it to sustain performance over longer workloads, while the N300’s low base clock and higher core count do not translate into an R23 win. The 4370 also benefits from a dual-channel memory bus, which may contribute to its stronger showing in this test.

For general-purpose use, the near-identical average benchmark scores (1135 vs 1130) and matching 32nd percentile rankings indicate that neither chip has a dramatic overall advantage. The N300 wins more individual tests, but the 4370 wins the most demanding one. Users who prioritize short multi-threaded tasks or single-threaded responsiveness should choose the N300; users who prioritize sustained multi-core rendering in modern workloads should choose the 4370.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-N300 wins in four benchmark categories. Its largest victories are in Cinebench R20 multi-core (106.6% ahead) and Cinebench R20 single-core (106.7% ahead). It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 26.1% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 10.8%. These results point to strengths in bursty multi-threaded workloads, older rendering tests, and any task that benefits from higher single-threaded efficiency in the Cinebench suite. The N300’s 8 cores and 8 threads, combined with 6 MB of shared L3 cache, make it well-suited for parallel tasks that are not sustained long enough to expose its lower base clock.

The Intel Core i3-4370 wins in one benchmark category: Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3284 versus the N300’s 2546, a 22.5% margin. This is the most modern and demanding multi-core test in the dataset, and the 4370’s 3.80 GHz base clock appears to be the deciding factor. The 4370’s dual-channel memory bus and 4 MB of L3 cache also support its performance in this longer-running workload. For users running modern multi-core rendering tasks, the 4370 is the stronger performer, despite its older architecture and higher power draw.