Intel Core i3-8130U vs Intel Processor N100 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record splits these two mobile processors along predictable lines, and the pattern is unusually clean. The Intel Processor N100 wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i3-8130U takes only one, but that single win is substantial. The N100 dominates single-threaded workloads and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, while the i3-8130U shows its strength in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core workload.

The N100's single-core advantage is stark. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 910.5 against the i3's 422, a 115.8% lead. That is not a marginal edge; it is nearly double the performance. The R15 single-core test tells a similar story, though less extreme: 147.9 versus 139, a 6.4% win for the N100. For everyday tasks that rely on a single thread, such as application launch latency or lightweight productivity work, the data points decisively toward the N100.

The multi-core picture is more complicated. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N100 scores 401.5 versus 301, a 33.4% advantage. That aligns with the N100's four physical cores, all of which are Gracemont efficiency cores. The i3-8130U has only two physical cores but four threads via Hyper-Threading, which helps in some workloads but not this one. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the situation flips: the i3 scores 2995 against the N100's 2559.5, a 14.5% margin. This suggests that the i3's older but larger cores sustain performance better under prolonged, heavily threaded rendering loads, while the N100's efficiency cores may hit thermal or power limits in that specific test.

The average benchmark scores in the database place both CPUs at the 27th percentile of all processors. The N100's average score is 1007, and the i3's is 994, a difference of roughly 1.3%. Their nearest rivals are also clustered: the N100 sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-10210Y, Intel Core i7-880, and AMD FX-9830P, while the i3-8130U trades places with the AMD Phenom II X6 1065T, Intel Xeon W3565, and AMD Opteron 4226. Neither chip is a performance leader in the broader database, but within this pairing, the N100 is the more consistent winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The N100 uses Intel's Gracemont architecture, built on a 10 nm process, and belongs to the Alder Lake-N generation. It is a four-core, four-thread design with no simultaneous multithreading. The i3-8130U is a Kaby Lake-R part, built on the older 14 nm process, with two cores and four threads. The process node difference matters: the N100's transistors are smaller, which contributes to its dramatically lower power envelope.

Power consumption is where these two diverge most sharply. The N100 has a TDP of 6 watts, while the i3-8130U is rated at 15 watts. That 9-watt gap is enormous in mobile terms. The N100 is designed for fanless or ultra-low-power systems, whereas the i3 targets more conventional ultrabooks with active cooling. The N100's socket is Intel BGA 1264, while the i3 uses Intel BGA 1356, so they are not interchangeable on any motherboard.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The N100 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The N100's larger L3 cache likely helps its single-threaded performance, while the i3's per-core L2 is more generous but its total cache is smaller.

Memory support splits as well. The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The i3 supports only DDR4, and the database does not record its memory bus width or bandwidth. The N100 also exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the i3's PCIe configuration is unlisted. Both have integrated graphics, but they differ: the N100 carries UHD Graphics 730, while the i3 has UHD 620. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The release dates are far apart. The i3-8130U launched in early 2018, while the N100 arrived in early 2023. That five-year gap explains the architectural generational shift. The N100's launch MSRP is $128, while the i3's launch price is not recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Processor N100 wins all recorded single-core comparisons. It scores 910.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 422 for the i3-8130U, a 115.8% lead, and 147.9 versus 139 in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 6.4% lead.

Q: Does the Core i3-8130U beat the N100 in any benchmark?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The i3 scores 2995 against the N100's 2559.5, a 14.5% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test the i3 wins.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The N100 has a TDP of 6 watts, while the i3-8130U is rated at 15 watts. The N100 consumes less than half the power of the i3 under load, which is significant for battery life and thermal design.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance class overall?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The N100's average benchmark score is 1007, and the i3's is 994, a difference of about 1.3%. Their nearest rivals are similarly matched within 0.2% margins.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a single-channel layout with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-8130U supports only DDR4, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The N100 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-8130U has 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to match thread count.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N100 | Intel Core i3-8130U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 100.00 | 2.40 |

| Boost clock | 3.40 | 3.40 |

| TDP | 6 | 15 |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Gracemont | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Gracemont | Kaby Lake-R |

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

| Process node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die size | Not recorded | 123 mm² |

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

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

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Single-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | UHD 620 |

| Release date | 2023-01-02 | 2018-02-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $128 | Not recorded |

The base clock entries require interpretation. The N100 lists 100.00, which is its reference clock, not a traditional base frequency. The i3 lists 2.40 GHz. Both boost to 3.40 GHz. The N100's TDP advantage is the most operationally significant difference, allowing it to fit into systems where the i3 would require more robust cooling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The four recorded head-to-head tests give a clear narrative. The N100 wins three, the i3 wins one, and the margins tell the real story.

Cinebench R23 single-core is the N100's most decisive victory. Its score of 910.5 is more than double the i3's 422, a 115.8% delta. This is not a subtle difference. It indicates that the N100's Gracemont cores, despite being efficiency-oriented, have substantially better single-thread execution than the i3's older Kaby Lake cores. For any workload that cannot use multiple threads effectively, the N100 is the clear choice.

Cinebench R15 multi-core gives the N100 a 33.4% win, scoring 401.5 versus 301. Here the N100's four physical cores outperform the i3's two cores with four threads. The extra physical cores matter in this test, which scales reasonably across threads. The N100's higher L3 cache may also contribute.

Cinebench R15 single-core is a closer contest. The N100 scores 147.9 against 139, a 6.4% margin. Both CPUs are running at a 3.40 GHz boost clock, so the difference comes down to architectural efficiency rather than frequency. The N100's newer design wins, but the gap is modest.

Cinebench R23 multi-core is where the i3-8130U strikes back. Its score of 2995 beats the N100's 2559.5 by 14.5%. This is the only test the i3 wins, and it is a meaningful one. The R23 multi-core workload is more demanding and longer-running than R15 multi-core. The i3's larger cores, despite being older, may sustain higher performance over the longer test duration, while the N100's efficiency cores might throttle or hit power limits. The i3's 15-watt TDP gives it more thermal headroom than the N100's 6-watt envelope.

The win count favors the N100 at 3 to 1, but the magnitude of the i3's single win complicates the verdict. The N100's average benchmark score is 1007, only 1.3% above the i3's 994, which suggests that in mixed workloads, the two are nearly equivalent. The N100 excels at bursty, single-threaded tasks and lighter multi-threaded loads, while the i3 handles sustained multi-threaded rendering better.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload and power constraints. The Intel Processor N100 is the better choice for systems where low power consumption is paramount. Its 6-watt TDP allows for fanless designs, longer battery life, and simpler thermal management. It also wins the majority of benchmark comparisons, particularly in single-threaded performance, where it leads by 115.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core. For general productivity, web browsing, office applications, and light multitasking, the N100 is the stronger performer.

The Intel Core i3-8130U is the better choice for workloads that require sustained multi-threaded performance. Its 14.5% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates that it can handle longer, more demanding rendering or compilation tasks without losing ground. Its 15-watt TDP means it needs active cooling, but that power budget buys more sustained throughput. The i3 also has a larger die size at 123 mm², which may indicate more robust internal resources, though the database does not record the N100's die size for comparison.

The average benchmark scores put both at the 27th percentile, meaning neither is a high-performance part. The N100's average of 1007 and the i3's 994 are statistically close, and both sit within 0.2% of their nearest rivals. Users should not expect either chip to excel in heavy, professional workloads. Instead, the choice comes down to power efficiency versus sustained multi-core capability. The N100 wins the efficiency crown and most benchmark tests; the i3 wins the one test that simulates prolonged heavy load. For a thin, quiet, battery-friendly laptop, the N100 is the data-backed pick. For a system that will run long rendering jobs on battery or in a tight chassis, the i3-8130U's extra power budget pays off.