Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Core i7-875K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of direct benchmark comparisons in this data set?

A: The Intel Core i3-8130U wins all seven head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i7-875K, with winsA recorded as 7 and winsB as 0.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors in a single benchmark?

A: The largest gap appears in Geekbench single-core, where the Core i3-8130U scores 898 versus the Core i7-875K’s 499, a delta of 80%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in overall average benchmark score and percentile ranking?

A: The Core i3-8130U has an average benchmark score of 994 and a percentile of 27, while the Core i7-875K has an average score of 984 and also sits at the 27th percentile.

Q: What are the nearest rivals to each processor according to the data?

A: The Core i3-8130U’s nearest rivals include the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T (993, +0.1%) and the Intel Xeon W3565 (993, +0.1%). The Core i7-875K’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4130T (984, 0%) and the Intel Xeon X3470 (983, +0.1%).

Q: Does the Core i7-875K have any benchmark where it comes close to the Core i3-8130U?

A: The closest result is Geekbench multi-core, where the Core i7-875K scores 1696 against the Core i3-8130U’s 1762, a delta of only 3.9%.

Q: Is there any difference in production status and launch pricing between the two?

A: The Core i3-8130U is listed as Active with no launch MSRP, while the Core i7-875K is End-of-life with a launch MSRP of $353.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the Intel Core i3-8130U in nearly every measurable comparison. It wins all seven head-to-head tests, including multi-threaded workloads where the Core i7-875K’s four cores and eight threads might be expected to dominate. The Core i3-8130U’s 9.5% to 9.9% advantages across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests show a consistent edge that is not marginal noise. In single-core performance, the gap becomes massive, with the Core i3-8130U leading by 80% in Geekbench single-core.

For users choosing between these two, the Core i3-8130U is the clear pick for anyone prioritizing performance per benchmark score, efficiency (15 W TDP versus 95 W), and modern platform features. The Core i7-875K’s only redeeming qualities are its higher base clock (2.93 GHz versus 2.40 GHz), unlocked multiplier, and larger L3 cache, but these do not translate into any benchmark win. The Core i7-875K’s 27th percentile ranking matches the Core i3-8130U, but its average score is lower, and it trails in every single test. The Core i7-875K might appeal to a user specifically needing a desktop Socket 1156 part with overclocking headroom, but the data shows no performance scenario where that choice is justified by results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is Geekbench single-core. The Core i3-8130U scores 898, while the Core i7-875K manages only 499. That 80% delta is the largest of any comparison and highlights the generational leap in single-thread performance. Even in Geekbench multi-core, where the Core i7-875K’s extra cores and threads should help, the Core i3-8130U still wins with 1762 versus 1696, a 3.9% margin. This suggests that the Core i3-8130U’s architecture efficiency outweighs the Core i7-875K’s core-count advantage.

Cinebench results follow a similar but tighter pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i3-8130U scores 301 against 275, a 9.5% win. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1257 versus 1146, a 9.7% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats this at 2995 versus 2729, a 9.7% delta. Single-core Cinebench tests also favor the Core i3-8130U: R20 single-core is 177 versus 161 (9.9%), and R23 single-core is 422 versus 385 (9.6%). The consistency of these deltas—all hovering near 9.5-9.9%—suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific fluke.

The Core i7-875K never comes within a single-digit percentage in any Cinebench test. Its best showing is Geekbench multi-core, where the 3.9% gap is still a loss. The data shows zero wins for the Core i7-875K across all seven benchmarks, making the head-to-head outcome unambiguous.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental spec. The Core i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i7-875K has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz versus 2.93 GHz, favoring the older chip, but boost clocks are 3.40 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, again favoring the Core i7-875K. Thermal design power is a stark contrast: the Core i3-8130U is rated at 15 W, while the Core i7-875K consumes 95 W.

Sockets are incompatible: the Core i3-8130U uses Intel BGA 1356, and the Core i7-875K uses Intel Socket 1156. Process nodes differ significantly, with the Core i3-8130U built on 14 nm versus the Core i7-875K’s 45 nm. Die size is 123 mm² for the Core i3-8130U and 296 mm² for the Core i7-875K, while transistor count is listed only for the Core i7-875K at 774 million.

Memory support differs: the Core i3-8130U supports DDR4, while the Core i7-875K supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a listed bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The Core i3-8130U has no memory bandwidth figure, but its DDR4 support indicates a newer memory standard. The Core i7-875K also lists PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i3-8130U has no PCIe data. Integrated graphics are present only on the Core i3-8130U (UHD 620), whereas the Core i7-875K has none. The Core i7-875K has an unlocked multiplier, and the Core i3-8130U does not. Production statuses are Active versus End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these are two very different designs. The Core i3-8130U belongs to the Kaby Lake generation, specifically Kaby Lake-R, built on a 14 nm process. The Core i7-875K is from the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Lynnfield, on a 45 nm process. The Core i3-8130U’s cache layout is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Core i7-875K has the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 is 8 MB shared—double the Core i3-8130U’s L3.

The Core i3-8130U is a mobile part with integrated UHD 620 graphics, while the Core i7-875K is a desktop chip with no integrated GPU. The Core i7-875K’s 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die reflect its older, larger process. The Core i3-8130U’s smaller 123 mm² die and 14 nm process imply a more modern and denser design. The memory controller differs as well: DDR4 on the Core i3-8130U versus DDR3 on the Core i7-875K, with the latter’s dual-channel bandwidth capped at 21.3 GB/s. The Core i7-875K’s PCIe Gen 2 implementation with 16 CPU lanes is a legacy feature, while the Core i3-8130U’s PCIe capabilities are not specified in the data.

The Core i7-875K’s unlocked multiplier is a notable architectural feature for overclocking, but the data does not include any overclocked benchmark results. The Core i3-8130U’s 15 W TDP suggests a design focused on power efficiency, likely enabling sustained performance in thin-and-light mobile systems.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-8130U wins in every benchmark category recorded. In multi-core workloads, it consistently beats the Core i7-875K by roughly 9.5% to 9.7% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The 3.9% Geekbench multi-core win is narrower but still decisive. For single-core tasks, the Core i3-8130U’s advantage ranges from 9.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core to a staggering 80% in Geekbench single-core. This makes the Core i3-8130U the clear choice for applications that are lightly threaded or depend heavily on per-core performance, such as everyday productivity, web browsing, and legacy software.

The Core i7-875K wins no benchmark, so its strengths are limited to theoretical specifications. It offers more cores (4 versus 2), more threads (8 versus 4), a higher base clock (2.93 GHz), a higher boost clock (3.60 GHz), double the L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. A user with a Socket 1156 motherboard and DDR3 memory might prefer the Core i7-875K for platform continuity, but the benchmark data shows it loses every test. The Core i7-875K’s 95 W TDP and lack of integrated graphics also make it less flexible for compact or power-conscious builds.

For the Core i3-8130U, the wins span both multi-threaded and single-threaded tests, with the largest margin in single-core Geekbench. Even in the closest contest—Geekbench multi-core—the Core i3-8130U still prevails. The data implies that for any user comparing these two processors purely on performance, the Core i3-8130U is superior in all measured scenarios. The Core i7-875K’s only appeal would be to a niche user with legacy hardware requirements or a specific need for an unlocked multiplier, but those factors do not appear in any benchmark result.