Intel Core i3-7100H vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a complex picture for these two mobile processors. Across the three shared benchmark tests, the Intel Processor N150 claims victory in two, while the Intel Core i3-7100H takes the third. The most decisive result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N150 scores 935 against the i3-7100H’s 414, a staggering 125.8% advantage. This is not a marginal lead; it suggests a fundamentally different approach to single-threaded performance, likely stemming from the newer architecture and significantly higher boost clock.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N150 also comes out ahead, posting 422.5 versus the i3-7100H’s 295, a 43.2% difference. This is a substantial win for a processor with fewer threads, indicating that the N150’s efficiency-oriented cores are highly effective in this older benchmark. However, the tables turn dramatically in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the i3-7100H pulls ahead with a score of 2932, outpacing the N150’s 2590.5 by 11.6%. This reversal is telling; the newer, more demanding multi-core workload appears to favor the i3-7100H’s higher sustained power envelope and dual-channel memory configuration.

The average benchmark scores are surprisingly close, with the N150 at 1025 and the i3-7100H at 1009. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall aggregate performance. The N150’s nearest rival, the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T, scores 1024 (a 0.1% delta), while the i3-7100H’s closest competitor is the Intel Processor N100 at 1007 (a 0.2% delta). This tight clustering suggests that while the individual benchmark wins are stark, the overall performance envelope of these two chips is more similar than the headline numbers imply.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear division of labor. The Intel Processor N150 is the clear winner in single-threaded workloads and older multi-threaded applications. Its 125.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it the superior choice for lightly-threaded tasks like basic productivity, web browsing, and legacy software that relies on fast single-core execution. The 43.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core further reinforces this, suggesting that the N150 handles older, less parallelized workloads with ease.

The Intel Core i3-7100H, despite losing two of three tests, secures its only win in the most modern and demanding benchmark: Cinebench R23 multi-core. This 11.6% advantage indicates that for heavily-threaded, contemporary applications such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or complex simulations, the i3-7100H is the more capable processor. The i3-7100H’s dual-channel memory bus and higher TDP likely contribute to this sustained performance under load, allowing it to maintain throughput where the N150’s single-channel configuration and 6-watt envelope may become a bottleneck. Users prioritizing modern multi-core performance should look to the i3-7100H, while those focused on snappy single-core response and legacy application performance should favor the N150.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent opposing design philosophies from Intel. The Intel Processor N150 is built on the Twin Lake architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, and fabricated on a 10 nm process node. It features four cores and four threads, with a base clock of just 0.10 GHz but a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. This is an efficiency-first design, with a TDP of only 6 watts. Its cache hierarchy is notable: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 memory, but only via a single-channel memory bus, which caps memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics are the UHD Graphics 730, and it is fitted to the Intel BGA 1264 socket.

The Intel Core i3-7100H is a Kaby Lake-H architecture part, built on the older 14 nm process. It has only two cores but four threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading to reach parity with the N150 in thread count. Its base clock is much higher at 2.80 GHz, with no boost clock listed in the data. The TDP is significantly higher at 35 watts, reflecting a performance-oriented design. The cache is smaller overall: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and only 3 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus, which offers greater bandwidth, though the exact figure is not recorded. The integrated graphics are the Intel HD Graphics 630, and it uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The die size is listed at 126 mm² for the i3-7100H, while no die size is recorded for the N150. The N150 is marked as active in production, while the i3-7100H is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in the latest Cinebench test?

A: The Intel Processor N150 wins decisively in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 935, compared to the Intel Core i3-7100H’s 414, a 125.8% advantage.

Q: Does the older Core i3-7100H win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i3-7100H wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 2932 against the N150’s 2590.5, an 11.6% lead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: They are very close. The Intel Processor N150 has an average benchmark score of 1025, while the Intel Core i3-7100H scores 1009. Both sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

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

A: The Intel Processor N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-7100H has 2 cores and 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to match the thread count.

Q: Which processor supports a wider array of memory types?

A: The Intel Processor N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, whereas the Intel Core i3-7100H supports DDR3 and DDR4. The N150 uses a single-channel memory bus, while the i3-7100H uses a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Intel Processor N150 is listed as active in production, while the Intel Core i3-7100H is marked as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data suggests that the choice between these two processors depends entirely on the workload. For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, the Intel Processor N150 is the clear winner. The 125.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it the obvious pick for everyday tasks, legacy applications, and any workload that does not scale well across multiple cores. Its substantial 43.2% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core further solidifies its position for older software environments. The N150’s modern architecture, 10 nm process, and efficient 6-watt TDP make it a forward-looking choice for basic mobile computing.

However, for users who run modern, heavily-threaded applications, the Intel Core i3-7100H is the better option. Its 11.6% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the most demanding test in the comparison, indicates superior sustained performance under multi-threaded load. The i3-7100H’s dual-channel memory and higher 35-watt TDP are likely the keys to this advantage. Despite being based on older 14 nm technology and being end-of-life, it holds a performance edge where it matters most for contemporary content creation and computational tasks. The near-identical average benchmark scores (1025 vs 1009) and matching 28th percentile ranking are misleading; the individual results show that these are specialized tools, not general-purpose equivalents.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N150 | Intel Core i3-7100H |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Twin Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Twin Lake | Kaby Lake-H |

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

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 0.10 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | Not listed |

| TDP | 6 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1440 |

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

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

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

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

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

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel HD Graphics 630 |

| Die Size | Not listed | 126 mm² |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2024-11-19 | 2017-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $225 |

| Part Number | SRPNR | SR32T |