Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Core i5-4300M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear generational split between these two mobile processors. Across seven benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core i3-8130U takes six wins, while the Intel Core i5-4300M manages only one. The most decisive victories for the i3-8130U come in the Cinebench suite, where it leads by roughly 16% in every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-8130U scores 301 against 253 for the i5-4300M, a 15.9% margin. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1257 vs 1056, a 16% difference) and in Cinebench R20 single-core (177 vs 149, a 15.8% gap). Cinebench R23 repeats the story: the i3-8130U posts 2995 multi-core and 422 single-core, while the i5-4300M manages 2515 and 355 respectively, both close to 16% behind.

The i5-4300M does claim one win in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 1817 versus 1762 for the i3-8130U, a 3.1% advantage. That is the only test where the older Haswell chip outpaces the newer Kaby Lake part. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-8130U narrowly wins 898 to 882, a 1.8% margin. So while the i3-8130U dominates in Cinebench workloads, the i5-4300M shows surprising strength in Geekbench multi-threaded tasks, likely due to its higher sustained clock behavior under the benchmark's specific workload pattern.

Both processors land at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they sit in the same performance tier overall. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1004 for the i5-4300M and 994 for the i3-8130U. The nearest rivals for the i5-4300M include the Intel Core i5-2500S (matching its 1004 average score), the Core i7-5600U and i7-2630QM (both at 1005, just 0.1% higher), and the AMD FX-9830P (1006, 0.2% higher). For the i3-8130U, the closest competitors are the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and Intel Xeon W3565 (both at 993, 0.1% lower), the AMD Opteron 4226 (995, 0.1% higher), and the Intel Core i7-2635QM (995, 0.1% higher).

The delta percentages in the head-to-head table are consistent: every Cinebench test shows the i3-8130U ahead by 15.8% to 16%, while the Geekbench tests show much smaller margins. This consistency suggests the i3-8130U's architecture handles Cinebench's rendering workload significantly better, while the two chips are much closer in the mixed integer and floating-point workloads that Geekbench uses.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i3-8130U as the stronger performer in most scenarios. It wins six of seven head-to-head comparisons, with its largest advantages appearing in Cinebench R20 multi-core (16%), Cinebench R23 multi-core (16%), and Cinebench R15 multi-core (15.9%). For users running rendering, video encoding, or other multi-threaded productivity tasks that resemble Cinebench, the i3-8130U is the clear choice based on benchmark results.

The Intel Core i5-4300M is not without merit. Its single win in Geekbench multi-core (1817 vs 1762, a 3.1% lead) indicates that in some synthetic workloads, particularly those with a mix of integer operations and memory access patterns, it can outperform the newer chip. However, this is an isolated result against a suite of losses. The i3-8130U also wins in Geekbench single-core (898 vs 882), so the i5-4300M's advantage does not extend to single-threaded performance.

The near-identical average benchmark scores (1004 vs 994) and the matching 27th percentile ranking suggest that for general everyday use, the difference may not be dramatic. But for anyone choosing between these two for a specific workload, the i3-8130U offers a consistent, measurable advantage across the majority of tested scenarios. The i5-4300M's only compelling case is if Geekbench multi-core performance is the primary metric, where it holds a 3.1% edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i5-4300M uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Core i3-8130U uses the Kaby Lake architecture (specifically Kaby Lake-R) on a 14 nm node. The die sizes are close: 118 mm² for the i5-4300M versus 123 mm² for the i3-8130U. The i5-4300M has 1,400 million transistors, while the database does not list a transistor count for the i3-8130U.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is 3 MB on the i5-4300M and 4 MB on the i3-8130U. This 1 MB additional L3 cache on the i3-8130U likely contributes to its single-core performance advantage, as more cache can reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data.

Memory support also differs. The i5-4300M supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-8130U supports DDR4. This reflects the generational shift in memory standards. Both processors have integrated graphics, but they differ: the i5-4300M includes Intel HD 5000, while the i3-8130U includes UHD 620. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The socket and packaging are different as well. The i5-4300M uses Intel Socket G3, a socketed mobile design often found in larger laptops or mobile workstations. The i3-8130U uses Intel BGA 1356, a ball-grid array that is soldered directly to the motherboard, typical of ultraportable designs. This packaging difference has practical implications for upgradeability and system design, though the benchmark data does not capture those factors.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between these two processors are clear from the database records. Clock speeds show the i5-4300M with a 2.60 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock, while the i3-8130U has a 2.40 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost clock. The i5-4300M runs at higher frequencies in both states, yet it still loses most benchmark comparisons, highlighting the architectural efficiency of the newer i3-8130U.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the i5-4300M is rated at 37 W TDP, while the i3-8130U is rated at just 15 W. This makes the i3-8130U much more suitable for thin-and-light laptops with limited cooling, while the i5-4300M requires a beefier thermal solution. The socket types differ as noted (Socket G3 vs BGA 1356), and the release dates are about 4.5 years apart: the i5-4300M launched in August 2013, while the i3-8130U launched in February 2018.

Both processors have 2 cores and 4 threads, so the compute resources are identical in terms of core count. The process node is the major manufacturing difference: 22 nm for Haswell versus 14 nm for Kaby Lake. The i3-8130U is marked as "Active" in production status, while the i5-4300M has no production status listed, suggesting it may be discontinued. The market segment for both is Mobile, and neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4300M has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, compared to 3.40 GHz for the Intel Core i3-8130U. Despite this 0.20 GHz advantage, the i3-8130U wins six of seven benchmark comparisons.

Q: Why does the i3-8130U win most benchmarks despite lower clock speeds?

A: The i3-8130U uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4300M uses Haswell on 22 nm. The i3-8130U also has 4 MB of shared L3 cache versus 3 MB on the i5-4300M. These architectural improvements allow it to outperform the older chip despite running at lower clock speeds.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-4300M beat the i3-8130U?

A: The i5-4300M wins in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 1817 versus 1762 for the i3-8130U, a 3.1% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test where the i5-4300M comes out ahead.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-4300M has an average benchmark score of 1004, while the i3-8130U has an average score of 994. Both processors rank at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two mobile processors?

A: The i5-4300M has a TDP of 37 W, while the i3-8130U has a TDP of 15 W. This makes the i3-8130U more suitable for thinner laptops with less cooling capacity.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The i5-4300M supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-8130U supports DDR4. This reflects the generational shift in memory technology between their respective launch periods.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-8130U is the winner for rendering and heavily multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 301 beats the i5-4300M's 253 by 15.9%, and the margin is nearly identical in Cinebench R20 (16%) and R23 (16%). If the workload resembles Cinebench, which is a common proxy for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other content creation tasks, the i3-8130U is the better choice based on the data.

The i3-8130U also wins in single-core performance across both Cinebench and Geekbench. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 422 is 15.9% higher than the i5-4300M's 355, and its Geekbench single-core score of 898 beats the i5-4300M's 882 by 1.8%. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light productivity where single-core speed matters, the i3-8130U holds the advantage.

The Intel Core i5-4300M's only win comes in Geekbench multi-core, where its 1817 score edges out the i3-8130U's 1762 by 3.1%. This suggests that in certain mixed workloads that combine integer math, floating-point operations, and memory access patterns, the i5-4300M can leverage its higher clock speeds (2.60 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) to outperform the newer chip. However, this is a narrow victory in one test, and the i3-8130U wins the other six comparisons.

For users prioritizing low power consumption, the i3-8130U has a clear advantage with its 15 W TDP versus 37 W for the i5-4300M. This makes the i3-8130U the better option for long battery life in a portable laptop. The i5-4300M's higher TDP suggests it may be intended for larger machines with active cooling, where sustained performance matters more than power efficiency.

In terms of overall benchmark averages, the two are nearly tied: 1004 for the i5-4300M and 994 for the i3-8130U. The practical takeaway is that the i3-8130U offers a more consistent performance profile across the tested workloads, with a significant edge in Cinebench and a slight edge in single-core Geekbench. The i5-4300M's only notable strength is its Geekbench multi-core result, which may matter for specific applications but does not overcome the i3-8130U's broader performance superiority.