Intel Core i3-4370T vs Intel Core i3-8130U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database pits the Intel Core i3-8130U against the Intel Core i3-4370T across five recorded Cinebench tests, and the results are remarkably consistent. The mobile i3-8130U wins every single head-to-head comparison, though the margins are tight rather than decisive. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 8130U scores 301 against the 4370T's 287, a 4.9% advantage. That same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where 1257 beats 1199, again a 4.8% gap. The single-core tests tell a similar story: the 8130U posts 177 in R20 single-core versus 169, a 4.7% edge, and 422 in R23 single-core versus 403, another 4.7% lead. The largest measured difference comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the 8130U reaches 2995 and the 4370T trails at 2856, a 4.9% margin.

What stands out from the data is the uniformity of the gap. Across every workload, the i3-8130U leads by roughly 4.7% to 4.9%, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific strength. The i3-4370T, despite its higher base clock, cannot overcome the newer process node and memory architecture of its rival. The recorded win count reflects this one-sided outcome: the 8130U claims 5 wins, the 4370T zero. Neither chip approaches the top of the database, with the 8130U sitting at the 27th percentile among all CPUs and the 4370T at the 26th, but within this pairing, the 8130U is clearly the faster part.

When placed against their nearest rivals in the database, both chips sit in a crowded mid-range field. The 8130U's average benchmark score of 994 puts it within 0.1% of the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and the Intel Xeon W3565, both at 993, while the AMD Opteron 4226 and Intel Core i7-2635QM edge ahead at 995, a 0.1% delta. The 4370T's average of 983 ties the Intel Xeon X3470 exactly, sits 0.1% behind the Intel Core i3-4130T at 984, and trails the Intel Xeon W5590 by 0.3%. These figures place both chips in the same performance tier, but the head-to-head results show that the 8130U has the edge when directly compared.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-8130U wins across every benchmark category in this comparison, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the superior processor for all tested workloads. The multi-core results show the 8130U leading by 4.9% in both Cinebench R15 and R23, while the R20 multi-core test shows a 4.8% gap. These consistent margins indicate that the 8130U handles threaded workloads, such as video encoding or 3D rendering in Cinebench, with a small but measurable advantage. For single-core tasks, the 8130U again leads, with 4.7% gaps in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. This covers responsiveness in everyday applications, lightly threaded software, and legacy workloads that rely on a single thread.

The i3-4370T does have one advantage in the data, though it is not a performance metric. It carries a launch MSRP of $138, which the database records as a one-time figure. The 8130U has no recorded launch MSRP. Beyond that, the 4370T's strengths lie in its platform characteristics rather than its benchmark results. It uses a desktop socket, Intel Socket 1150, and supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The 8130U, as a mobile part, uses Intel BGA 1356 and supports DDR4 memory, but the database does not record its memory bus or bandwidth. For users building a desktop system around an existing Socket 1150 motherboard, the 4370T offers an upgrade path, but the benchmark data shows it is slower in every measured test.

In terms of whose strengths matter for real workloads, the 8130U's wins in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests mean it should be preferred for rendering, encoding, and general productivity. The 4370T's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.40 GHz does not translate into superior results, likely because the 8130U's boost clock reaches 3.40 GHz and its newer architecture compensates for the lower base frequency. The data indicates that the 8130U is the better choice for anyone prioritizing raw performance in the tested applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments, which explains the performance gap. The i3-8130U is built on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, using a 14 nm process node. The i3-4370T uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. This process advantage is significant: the 14 nm node allows the 8130U to achieve higher efficiency and clock speeds despite its lower base clock. The 8130U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the 4370T runs at a fixed 3.30 GHz with no boost clock listed. The 8130U's ability to boost 1.0 GHz above its base clock gives it a peak frequency advantage of 0.10 GHz over the 4370T.

Both chips share the same core and thread configuration: 2 cores and 4 threads. Cache layouts are also identical, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The die sizes differ notably, with the 8130U at 123 mm² and the 4370T at 177 mm², reflecting the denser 14 nm process. The 4370T's transistor count is recorded at 1,400 million, while the 8130U's transistor count is not listed in the database. The 4370T supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the 8130U supports DDR4 memory, though its bus and bandwidth figures are not recorded. The 4370T also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 8130U has no PCIe data recorded.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 8130U pairs with UHD 620 graphics, while the 4370T uses Intel HD 4600. Neither is a gaming-focused GPU, but the newer UHD 620 benefits from the 14 nm process and architectural improvements. The market segments are polar opposites: the 8130U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, while the 4370T is a desktop processor with a 35 W TDP. Despite the 4370T drawing more than double the power, the 8130U delivers higher performance in every tested benchmark, evidence of the efficiency gains from the newer process node. The 8130U remains in active production, while the 4370T is marked as end-of-life. The 4370T's part number is SR1TB, and it was released in 2015, while the 8130U came later. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-8130U wins all multi-core tests. It scores 301 versus 287 in Cinebench R15 (4.9% higher), 1257 versus 1199 in R20 (4.8% higher), and 2995 versus 2856 in R23 (4.9% higher).

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-8130U also leads in single-core tests. It scores 177 versus 169 in Cinebench R20 (4.7% higher) and 422 versus 403 in Cinebench R23 (4.7% higher).

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The 8130U has an average benchmark score of 994, placing it within 0.1% of the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and Intel Xeon W3565, and 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 4226 and Intel Core i7-2635QM. The 4370T averages 983, tying the Intel Xeon X3470, sitting 0.1% behind the Intel Core i3-4130T, and 0.3% behind the Intel Xeon W5590.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two?

A: The 8130U uses Kaby Lake-R on a 14 nm process with a 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost clock, while the 4370T uses Haswell on a 22 nm process with a fixed 3.30 GHz clock. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, but the 8130U supports DDR4 memory, while the 4370T supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The 8130U has a TDP of 15 W, while the 4370T has a TDP of 35 W. Despite drawing less power, the 8130U wins every benchmark comparison.

Q: Which chip is still in production?

A: The 8130U is marked as active, while the 4370T is end-of-life. The 4370T has a recorded launch MSRP of $138, while the 8130U has no launch MSRP recorded.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core i3-8130U outperforms the Intel Core i3-4370T in every recorded test. The 8130U wins all five head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 4.7% to 4.9%. Whether the workload is multi-core rendering or single-core responsiveness, the 8130U comes out ahead. The 4370T's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz cannot compensate for the 8130U's boost clock of 3.40 GHz and its more efficient 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture versus the 22 nm Haswell design.

For users choosing between these two, the decision depends on platform needs. The 8130U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, suited for laptops and compact systems where power efficiency matters. The 4370T is a desktop processor with a 35 W TDP, fitting Socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory. The 4370T does have a recorded launch MSRP of $138, which may appeal to those seeking a low-cost desktop upgrade, but the database shows no price for the 8130U. The 8130U's active production status also gives it longevity over the end-of-life 4370T.

The performance gap, while consistent, is not transformative. A 4.9% lead in multi-core and a 4.7% lead in single-core means the 8130U is faster, but not dramatically so. In the broader context of the database, both chips sit in the mid-20s percentile range, with the 8130U at 27 and the 4370T at 26. They are comparable to older six-core and quad-core parts like the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and Intel Xeon X3470, respectively. For a user who needs the lower power draw and newer memory support, the 8130U is the obvious pick. For a desktop builder with an existing Socket 1150 platform, the 4370T remains a viable, if slower, option. The data, however, leaves no ambiguity: the i3-8130U is the better performer across every benchmark in this comparison.