Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Core i7-880 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear and consistent picture: the Intel Core i3-8130U wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-880, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. The i3-8130U takes all five recorded head-to-head tests, with margins that are narrow but uniform across every Cinebench version. This is a significant result because the i7-880 is a quad-core, eight-thread desktop processor from an older generation, while the i3-8130U is a dual-core, four-thread mobile part. The newer architecture and manufacturing process of the i3-8130U more than compensate for its lower core and thread count.

In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i3-8130U scores 301 against the i7-880's 294, a delta of -2.3 percent from the perspective of the i7-880. That means the i3 is roughly 2.3 percent faster in this legacy benchmark. The R20 multicore test shows a similar outcome: the i3 scores 1257, the i7 scores 1227, with a -2.4 percent delta. The R23 multicore test repeats the pattern with scores of 2995 for the i3 and 2923 for the i7, again a -2.4 percent difference. Across all three multicore Cinebench runs, the i3-8130U maintains a lead that is small but absolutely consistent, never deviating beyond 2.4 percent.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-8130U posts 177 points versus the i7-880's 173, a -2.3 percent delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3 scores 422 against the i7's 412, a -2.4 percent delta. The data shows no scenario where the i7-880 pulls ahead. Even though the i7-880 has a higher base clock (3.07 GHz versus 2.40 GHz) and a higher boost clock (3.73 GHz versus 3.40 GHz), the i3-8130U's architectural efficiency delivers better raw performance in every recorded test. The win count stands at 5 for the i3-8130U and 0 for the i7-880.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this outcome. The i7-880 has an average benchmark score of 1006, while the i3-8130U sits at 994. That is a curious inversion: the i7-880 has a marginally higher average score across the full benchmark suite, yet loses all head-to-head Cinebench tests. This discrepancy arises because the i3-8130U has additional Geekbench results in its benchmark set, which may weight its average differently. The i7-880's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10210Y and AMD FX-9830P, both at an average score of 1006 with a 0 percent delta, and the Intel Core i7-2630QM at 1005 with a 0.1 percent delta. The i3-8130U's nearest rivals include the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T and Intel Xeon W3565 at 993 with a 0.1 percent delta. Both processors land in the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their different internal designs.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial and explains the benchmark results. The Intel Core i7-880 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node from Intel. It integrates 774 million transistors on a die size of 296 mm². The i7-880 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.07 GHz and a boost clock of 3.73 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support is DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, and the processor uses the Intel Socket 1156. It has no integrated graphics, a 95 watt TDP, and a PCIe implementation of Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. It is a desktop part, now end-of-life, released in 2010.

The Intel Core i3-8130U is a completely different animal. It uses the Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake-R codename, built on a 14 nm process node. The die size is much smaller at 123 mm², and the transistor count is not listed in the database. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache, half of the i7-880's L3. Memory support is DDR4, though the memory bus width is not recorded. The i3-8130U uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket, includes integrated UHD 620 graphics, and has a dramatically lower TDP of 15 watts. It is a mobile segment processor, still active in production, and was released in 2018.

The most striking difference is the process node and TDP. The i3-8130U uses a 14 nm process versus 45 nm, which allows it to deliver competitive or better performance at a fraction of the power draw. The i7-880's TDP is 95 watts, while the i3-8130U's is 15 watts, a factor of more than six. The i3-8130U achieves this with half the cores and half the threads, yet still wins every Cinebench test. The newer architecture brings higher instructions per clock, and the smaller process node reduces latency and power consumption. The i7-880 compensates with more cores, more L3 cache, and higher clock speeds, but the data shows that these advantages are not enough to overcome the i3's architectural efficiency.

Another key difference is the integrated graphics. The i7-880 has no iGPU, forcing a discrete graphics card for any display output. The i3-8130U includes Intel UHD 620, which enables basic display and video decode capabilities without a separate GPU. The i7-880 supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-8130U supports DDR4, a newer and higher-bandwidth standard. The sockets are incompatible: Socket 1156 for the i7-880 and BGA 1356 for the i3-8130U. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-880 has a part number of SLBPS, while the i3-8130U's part number is not listed.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i3-8130U is the faster processor in every recorded head-to-head test, despite having only half the cores and threads of the Intel Core i7-880. The i3 wins all five Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from -2.3 to -2.4 percent from the i7's perspective. The i3 also carries a massive efficiency advantage, with a 15 watt TDP versus the i7's 95 watts, and a smaller 14 nm process node versus 45 nm. For any workload that relies on the tested Cinebench scenarios, the i3-8130U is the better choice.

However, the verdict is not purely about raw speed. The i7-880 offers 4 cores and 8 threads versus the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads, which could matter in heavily threaded workloads that are not perfectly represented by the Cinebench multicore tests. The i7 also has 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 4 MB, and a higher boost clock of 3.73 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. The i7-880 uses DDR3 memory support, while the i3-8130U uses DDR4, and the i7 has a Gen 2 PCIe interface with 16 lanes, while the i3's PCIe details are not recorded. The i7 is a desktop part with no integrated graphics, meaning it requires a discrete GPU, while the i3 includes UHD 620 graphics for basic display needs.

The data suggests that users who value multi-threaded throughput in legacy desktop systems might still consider the i7-880, but the benchmark results show it loses to the i3 even in multicore Cinebench tests. The i3-8130U's performance is superior across the board in the recorded data. The i7-880 holds a 27th percentile position among all CPUs, matching the i3-8130U's percentile, which indicates they are in the same overall performance class. But within that class, the i3-8130U is consistently the winner. For a mobile or efficiency-focused system, the i3-8130U is the clear pick. For a desktop system where the i7-880's socket and DDR3 memory are already in place, the data shows it is a capable processor, but it is not faster than the i3 in any tested benchmark.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification. The i7-880 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7's base clock is 3.07 GHz, the i3's is 2.40 GHz. The i7's boost clock is 3.73 GHz, the i3's is 3.40 GHz. The i7 has a TDP of 95 watts, the i3 has a TDP of 15 watts. The i7 uses Intel Socket 1156, the i3 uses Intel BGA 1356. The i7's architecture is Nehalem with the Lynnfield codename, the i3's is Kaby Lake with the Kaby Lake-R codename. The i7 uses a 45 nm process node, the i3 uses 14 nm. The i7 has 774 million transistors and a die size of 296 mm², the i3's transistor count is not listed and its die size is 123 mm². The i7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, the i3 has 4 MB. The i7 supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus, the i3 supports DDR4 with the bus width not recorded. The i7 has no integrated graphics, the i3 has UHD 620. The i7's PCIe is Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, the i3's PCIe is not listed. The i7 is a desktop part, end-of-life, released in 2010, while the i3 is a mobile part, active, released in 2018. Both lack ECC support and both have locked multipliers. The i7 has a part number of SLBPS, the i3's is not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-880 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test?

A: The Intel Core i3-8130U wins with a score of 2995, compared to the Intel Core i7-880's 2923, a delta of -2.4 percent from the i7's perspective.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-880 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Does the i7-880 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-880 has no integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i3-8130U includes Intel UHD 620.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-880 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-8130U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the release dates of these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-880 was released in 2010, and the Intel Core i3-8130U was released in 2018.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-8130U wins in every recorded benchmark test. It takes the Cinebench R15 multicore with 301 versus 294, the R20 multicore with 1257 versus 1227, the R20 single-core with 177 versus 173, the R23 multicore with 2995 versus 2923, and the R23 single-core with 422 versus 412. The i3-8130U also wins on efficiency, with a 15 watt TDP versus 95 watts, making it the preferred choice for mobile or low-power systems. It includes integrated UHD 620 graphics, so it can drive a display without a discrete GPU, and it supports DDR4 memory.

The Intel Core i7-880 has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head data, but it holds advantages in specific specifications. It has double the core count (4 versus 2) and double the thread count (8 versus 4), which could benefit workloads that scale well with more parallel resources beyond what Cinebench multicore tests capture. It has double the L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB), which may help in cache-sensitive tasks. It has higher base and boost clocks (3.07 GHz and 3.73 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and 3.40 GHz), and it supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus. It also uses a desktop socket (Socket 1156) with a Gen 2 PCIe interface offering 16 lanes from the CPU, which could support discrete graphics and expansion cards. For a legacy desktop build where DDR3 and Socket 1156 are already available, the i7-880 remains a viable option, but the recorded data shows it loses to the i3-8130U in every tested benchmark scenario.