CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N97 and Intel Core i3-4370 occupy nearly the same position in the aggregate performance hierarchy, yet their benchmark profiles could hardly be more different. Both processors land at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs tracked, with average benchmark scores of 1132 and 1130 respectively, a gap of just 0.2%. That statistical tie masks a dramatic split in workload behavior, with the N97 dominating single-threaded and older multi-core tests while the i3-4370 pulls ahead in the modern multi-core benchmark. The data suggests two very different design philosophies separated by nearly a decade of silicon evolution.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the single-core Cinebench R23 score, where the N97 posts 973 against the i3-4370's 463. That is a 110.2% advantage, more than double the older chip's score. This is not a marginal win; it is a generational stomping. The N97's Gracemont architecture, despite its low power envelope, delivers single-thread performance that the Haswell-based i3 simply cannot approach. For any workload that hinges on a single thread, legacy software, certain database queries, or lightly-threaded games, the N97 is the clear choice based on this metric alone.

The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells a similar story, though with a smaller margin. The N97 scores 479 versus the i3-4370's 330, a 45.2% win. This benchmark, which scales across all cores but is less demanding than R23, shows the N97's four Gracemont cores outperforming the i3's two Haswell cores with Hyper-Threading. The N97's 4-core/4-thread configuration outpaces the i3's 2-core/4-thread setup in this test, despite the i3's much higher 3.80 GHz base clock versus the N97's 2.00 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost.

Then comes the reversal. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-4370 wins with 3284 against the N97's 2913, an 11.3% margin. This is the most modern and demanding multi-threaded test in the comparison, and here the older chip's higher sustained clock speed and dual-channel memory interface apparently matter more than architectural efficiency. The i3-4370's 54-watt TDP versus the N97's 12-watt TDP suggests thermal headroom for sustained all-core operation, which likely explains this result. The N97 may win in bursty single-thread workloads, but the i3 holds its own when all cores are hammered for extended periods.

The aggregate picture is one of near-parity: the N97 wins two of three head-to-head tests, but the i3's R23 multi-core victory is substantial enough to keep the average scores virtually identical. The deltaPct values against common rivals hover near zero, the N97 is 0.1% ahead of the Core i3-10110U and 0.2% ahead of the Pentium Gold G5500, while the i3-4370 is exactly level with the G5500 and 0.1% behind the i5-4690T. These are rounding-error differences in overall standing, but the workload-specific deltas are anything but trivial.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is stark. The N97 uses Gracemont cores on a 10 nm process, part of the Alder Lake-N family, while the i3-4370 uses Haswell cores on a 22 nm process. That process node difference, 10 nm versus 22 nm, explains much of the efficiency gap: the N97 sips power at 12 watts TDP while the i3 consumes 54 watts. The N97 packs four cores and four threads, while the i3 offers two cores and four threads via Hyper-Threading. Both have four logical threads, but the N97 does it with physical cores rather than shared execution resources.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The N97 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i3-4370 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The N97's larger L3 and shared L2 design reflect a more modern memory hierarchy optimized for its efficiency-focused core layout. The i3's per-core L2 is larger on a per-core basis, but the total cache footprint favors the N97.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The i3-4370 runs at a fixed 3.80 GHz with no boost, it is always at maximum frequency. The N97 starts at 2.00 GHz and boosts to 3.60 GHz, meaning it relies on turbo behavior to reach competitive speeds. In sustained workloads, the i3's constant 3.80 GHz likely explains its R23 multi-core win, while the N97's boost behavior gives it the edge in shorter single-thread bursts.

Memory support is another clear generational divide. The N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-4370 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth figure. Dual-channel memory gives the i3 a theoretical advantage in memory-bound multi-core workloads, though the N97's newer memory types offer higher per-channel bandwidth. The i3's 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die versus the N97's unspecified transistor count and die size further underscores the process advantage of the newer part.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the N97 features UHD Graphics 730, while the i3-4370 has Intel HD 4600. The N97 is also a mobile-market segment part on Intel BGA 1264, whereas the i3 is a desktop part on Socket 1150. Production status is active for the N97, with no status listed for the i3.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type rather than overall capability. For single-threaded performance, the N97 is the definitive winner, its 110.2% lead in R23 single-core is the largest margin in any test. Anyone running legacy applications, spreadsheet-heavy workflows, or software that cannot utilize multiple cores should favor the N97 without hesitation. It also wins the older R15 multi-core test by 45.2%, suggesting it handles less demanding multi-threaded workloads with ease.

The i3-4370's only head-to-head victory is in R23 multi-core, but that win is meaningful for sustained, modern multi-threaded workloads. The 11.3% margin indicates that when all cores are fully loaded for an extended period, the i3's constant high clock speed and dual-channel memory make a real difference. However, the i3's 54-watt TDP versus the N97's 12-watt TDP means that performance comes at a significant power cost.

The aggregate scores, 1132 versus 1130, suggest that for most mixed-use scenarios, either processor will deliver similar overall performance. The percentile ranking is identical at 32, and the nearest-rival deltas are all within 0.3%. The choice hinges entirely on whether the workload is predominantly single-threaded (choose the N97) or heavily multi-threaded and sustained (choose the i3). The N97's active production status and modern platform support give it a longevity advantage, while the i3's desktop socket and dual-channel memory may appeal to systems with existing DDR3 infrastructure.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Processor N97 scores 973, which is 110.2% higher than the Intel Core i3-4370's 463.

Q: How much power does each processor consume?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a 12-watt TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4370 has a 54-watt TDP.

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

A: The Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370 wins with a score of 3284, beating the Intel Processor N97's 2913 by 11.3%.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Processor N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel bus. The Intel Core i3-4370 supports DDR3 with a dual-channel bus.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has an average score of 1132, and the Intel Core i3-4370 has an average score of 1130, a difference of 0.2%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N97 wins in any scenario where single-thread performance dominates. Its 110.2% lead in R23 single-core makes it the obvious pick for office productivity, web browsing, and any software that runs primarily on one core. Its 45.2% win in R15 multi-core also suggests it handles older or less demanding multi-threaded applications well, such as legacy video encoding tools or older productivity suites. The N97's 12-watt TDP and mobile socket also make it suitable for compact, low-power systems where thermal output and energy consumption are primary concerns.

The Intel Core i3-4370 wins in sustained multi-threaded workloads that stress all cores for extended periods. Its 11.3% margin in R23 multi-core indicates an advantage in modern rendering tasks, batch processing, or any computation that keeps all threads busy for minutes at a time. The i3's 3.80 GHz constant clock speed with no boost variability means predictable performance under sustained load, and its dual-channel DDR3 memory support may benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications. The desktop socket and 54-watt TDP suggest it belongs in a traditional tower system with adequate cooling rather than a slim or fanless chassis.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every architectural specification. The Intel Processor N97 uses a 10 nm process with Gracemont architecture, while the Intel Core i3-4370 uses a 22 nm process with Haswell architecture. Core counts differ: 4 cores for the N97 versus 2 for the i3, though both have 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the N97 and 3.80 GHz for the i3; the N97 adds a 3.60 GHz boost clock while the i3 has none. TDP is 12 watts for the N97 versus 54 watts for the i3. The N97 uses Intel BGA 1264 socket, the i3 uses Intel Socket 1150.

Cache configurations differ substantially: the N97 has 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3; the i3 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 single-channel for the N97 versus DDR3 dual-channel for the i3. The N97 lists 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i3 lists none. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the N97 versus Gen 3 with no lane count for the i3. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the N97 and Intel HD 4600 on the i3. The N97 is a mobile-market part released in January 2023, while the i3 is a desktop part released in July 2014. The i3 lists 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size; the N97 lists neither.