Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Core i7-2920XM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2920XM and Intel Core i3-8130U represent two very different eras of mobile computing, separated by architecture, process technology, and design philosophy. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the older quad-core Extreme Edition part dominates multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, while the modern dual-core Kaby Lake chip wins decisively in single-core and Geekbench tests. The aggregate scores are nearly identical, with the i7-2920XM averaging 995 and the i3-8130U averaging 994, placing both at the 27th percentile among all CPUs. This near-parity in overall standing, however, masks starkly different performance profiles that dictate which processor suits specific tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most one-sided result in this comparison comes from Cinebench R15 single-core testing, where the i3-8130U delivers a score of 139 against the i7-2920XM's 52. That is a 62.6% advantage for the newer chip, a massive gap that reflects the enormous IPC improvements Intel achieved between Sandy Bridge and Kaby Lake. The i7-2920XM's single-core score of 52 is remarkably low, and this weakness propagates through every single-threaded workload in the test suite.

Geekbench tells a similar story, but with even larger absolute deltas. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-8130U scores 898 versus 430 for the i7-2920XM, a 52.1% difference. The multicore Geekbench result also favors the i3-8130U, with a score of 1762 versus 1452, representing a 17.6% lead. This is particularly interesting because the i7-2920XM has twice the cores and threads, yet still loses in Geekbench multicore. The architectural efficiency of Kaby Lake, combined with the i3-8130U's higher base and boost clocks relative to its core count, overcomes the raw core disadvantage.

The i7-2920XM fights back decisively in Cinebench multicore workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-2920XM scores 353 against 301 for the i3-8130U, a 17.3% win. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-2920XM posts 1471 versus 1257, a 17% advantage. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with a 3504 score for the i7-2920XM versus 2995, also a 17% lead. These consistent margins across all three Cinebench versions demonstrate that the older chip's four physical cores and eight threads provide a genuine multi-threaded advantage.

What is surprising is that the i7-2920XM also wins in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests, albeit by smaller margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2920XM scores 207 versus 177, a 16.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 494 versus 422, a 17.1% lead. This creates an odd situation where the i7-2920XM wins single-core in Cinebench R20 and R23, but loses catastrophically in Cinebench R15 single-core. The inconsistency suggests that the older architecture performs differently across Cinebench versions, while the i3-8130U's R15 score of 139 appears anomalously high relative to its other results.

Across the eight head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-2920XM wins five and the i3-8130U wins three. The i7-2920XM's wins include all three Cinebench multicore tests plus Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core. The i3-8130U's wins are Cinebench R15 single-core and both Geekbench tests. The magnitude of the i3-8130U's wins, however, is generally larger — the 62.6% and 52.1% single-core victories dwarf the i7-2920XM's consistent 17% margins.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. For users running heavily multi-threaded applications, the Intel Core i7-2920XM is the stronger performer. Its 17% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests is consistent and meaningful. The four cores and eight threads provide real parallel processing capability that the i3-8130U's two cores and four threads cannot match, despite the latter's architectural superiority.

For single-threaded workloads and general everyday usage, the Intel Core i3-8130U is the better pick. The Geekbench single-core score of 898 versus 430 is a 52.1% difference that will manifest in application launch times, web browsing, and other latency-sensitive tasks. The i3-8130U also wins Geekbench multicore by 17.6%, suggesting that even in lightly threaded scenarios, the newer architecture provides a more responsive experience.

The i7-2920XM's performance profile is also defined by its 55-watt TDP versus the i3-8130U's 15-watt TDP. This is a massive power consumption difference that affects thermal management and battery life in mobile devices. The i7-2920XM was designed for large, power-hungry laptops, while the i3-8130U is built for ultraportables. The i3-8130U also remains an active production part, while the i7-2920XM is end-of-life.

The aggregate scores tell the final story: both processors average roughly 995 and 994, placing them at the 27th percentile. They are functionally equivalent in overall performance, but they achieve that equivalence through completely different means. The i7-2920XM leverages core count and thread count, while the i3-8130U leverages IPC and clock efficiency. Users who need sustained multi-core performance should choose the i7-2920XM, while those prioritizing responsiveness and power efficiency should select the i3-8130U.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM has an average benchmark score of 995, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has an average benchmark score of 994. The difference is a mere 0.1%, and both processors sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How large is the i3-8130U's single-core advantage in Geekbench?

A: The i3-8130U scores 898 in Geekbench single-core, versus 430 for the i7-2920XM. This represents a 52.1% advantage for the i3-8130U, the second-largest margin in any head-to-head benchmark between these two chips.

Q: Does the i7-2920XM win any single-core benchmarks?

A: Yes, the i7-2920XM wins Cinebench R20 single-core with a score of 207 versus 177, a 16.9% advantage, and Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 494 versus 422, a 17.1% advantage. However, it loses Cinebench R15 single-core by 62.6%, scoring 52 against the i3-8130U's 139.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7-2920XM's core advantage directly contributes to its wins in Cinebench multicore tests.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i7-2920XM also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.40 GHz for the i3-8130U.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM features Intel HD 3000 graphics, while the Intel Core i3-8130U features Intel UHD 620 graphics. The i3-8130U's integrated graphics are from a much later generation and are part of the Kaby Lake architecture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-2920XM offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8130U offers 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close, with the i7-2920XM at 2.50 GHz and the i3-8130U at 2.40 GHz, and boost clocks are similarly close at 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: the i7-2920XM draws 55 watts, while the i3-8130U draws only 15 watts.

The memory support differs, with the i7-2920XM using DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-8130U uses DDR4 memory with no specific bandwidth figure provided. The i7-2920XM uses an Intel Socket G2 (988B) socket, while the i3-8130U uses an Intel BGA 1356 socket. PCIe support also differs, with the i7-2920XM providing Gen 2 with 16 CPU lanes, while no PCIe information is listed for the i3-8130U.

The i7-2920XM has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i3-8130U is locked. The i7-2920XM has a launch MSRP of $1096, while no MSRP is listed for the i3-8130U. The i7-2920XM is an end-of-life product released in January 2011, while the i3-8130U is an active product released in February 2018. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is vast. The Intel Core i7-2920XM is built on Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32nm process node, while the Intel Core i3-8130U uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14nm process node. The process shrink from 32nm to 14nm is a primary driver of the i3-8130U's efficiency and IPC gains.

The cache configurations differ significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is 8 MB on the i7-2920XM versus 4 MB on the i3-8130U. The i7-2920XM also has a larger die size at 216 mm², while the i3-8130U measures 123 mm². The i7-2920XM contains 1,160 million transistors, while no transistor count is listed for the i3-8130U.

The integrated graphics differ by generation: the i7-2920XM uses Intel HD 3000, while the i3-8130U uses UHD 620. The i7-2920XM is classified as a Core i7 Extreme part from the Sandy Bridge generation, while the i3-8130U is a Core i3 from the Kaby Lake-U Refresh generation. The i7-2920XM's codename is Sandy Bridge, and the i3-8130U's codename is Kaby Lake-R. These architectural differences explain why the newer i3-8130U can achieve comparable or better performance in many workloads despite having half the cores and threads, and why the older i7-2920XM retains its multi-core advantage.