Intel Core i3-8145U vs Intel Core i5-4288U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a decisive result in this matchup: the Intel Core i3-8145U wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, with no victories for the Intel Core i5-4288U. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering just above 40 percent across every workload measured.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the i3-8145U scoring 322 against 225 for the i5-4288U, a delta of 43.1 percent. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-8145U posts 1342 while the i5-4288U manages 939, a 42.9 percent advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result continues the pattern: 3196 for the i3-8145U versus 2237 for the i5-4288U, again a 42.9 percent gap. These are substantial, consistent leads that indicate a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-8145U scores 189 against 132 for the i5-4288U, a 43.2 percent lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 451 versus 315, also a 43.2 percent difference. Interestingly, the single-core margins are nearly identical to the multi-core margins, which suggests the advantage comes from per-core efficiency rather than from any scaling behavior. Both chips have the same core and thread counts, so the gap is purely a matter of how much work each core can complete in a given time.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the i3-8145U has an average benchmark score of 941 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 25th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-4288U averages 927, also in the 25th percentile. The 14-point difference in average scores is modest compared to the head-to-head deltas, but that average includes tests where the two chips were not directly compared, so it should not be read as contradicting the head-to-head results.

The nearest rival data provides context for both processors. The i3-8145U sits within 0.4 percent of the AMD Athlon X4 860K (944 average score), within 0.3 percent of the Intel Core i5-4330M (938), and within 0.1 percent of the Intel Core i7-2715QE (942). The i5-4288U similarly sits within 0.5 percent of the Intel Core i7-4600U (931), within 0.1 percent of the Intel Core i3-4350T (926), and within 0.3 percent of the Intel Celeron G6900TE (925). Both processors occupy a narrow performance band relative to their peers, but the head-to-head data shows a clear and consistent winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and manufacturing processes. The i3-8145U uses Whiskey Lake architecture, specifically Whiskey Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The i5-4288U uses Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process node. This process difference is significant: the newer 10 nm node allows for higher clock speeds within a lower power envelope, which explains much of the performance gap.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The i3-8145U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The i5-4288U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. While the i5-4288U starts at a higher base frequency, the i3-8145U's boost clock is 0.80 GHz higher, and the newer architecture appears to sustain higher effective frequencies during benchmark runs.

Thermal design power also differs: the i3-8145U is rated at 15 W TDP, while the i5-4288U is rated at 28 W TDP. This is noteworthy because the i3-8145U delivers significantly higher benchmark scores while consuming less power on paper. The socket changes as well, with the i3-8145U using Intel BGA 1528 and the i5-4288U using Intel BGA 1168, meaning they are not interchangeable in any platform.

Cache configurations differ slightly. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the i3-8145U has 4 MB shared, while the i5-4288U has 3 MB shared. This 1 MB difference in L3 could contribute to the performance gap, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger shared cache.

Memory support also diverges. The i3-8145U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4288U supports DDR3 memory, with no memory bus or bandwidth figures recorded in the database. The newer DDR4 support and higher bandwidth likely contribute to the i3-8145U's advantage in memory-sensitive benchmarks.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-8145U includes UHD Graphics 620, while the i5-4288U includes Intel HD 5100. The i3-8145U also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe information is recorded for the i5-4288U. The i5-4288U has recorded transistor count of 1,400 million and die size of 118 mm², while neither is recorded for the i3-8145U. Both processors lack ECC memory support, both have locked multipliers, and both target the mobile market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clean sweep for the i3-8145U across all recorded benchmark categories, so the question becomes not which chip wins in which workload, but rather how the i3-8145U's advantage manifests across different usage patterns.

For multi-threaded productivity workloads, the i3-8145U is clearly superior. Its Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores lead by roughly 43 percent in every case. This translates to faster rendering, compilation, and other parallel tasks, even though both chips have the same 2-core, 4-thread configuration. The 43 percent margin in multi-core tests suggests the i3-8145U's cores are simply doing more work per clock, and the higher boost clock amplifies this advantage.

For single-threaded applications, the i3-8145U also wins by approximately 43 percent. This covers everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and light photo editing, where single-core performance often dominates. The consistent margin across single-core tests reinforces that the architectural efficiency gain applies broadly rather than to specific instruction types.

The i5-4288U does not show any recorded benchmark where it outperforms the i3-8145U. Its higher base clock of 2.60 GHz does not translate into a winning result in any test. Its 28 W TDP suggests it was designed for higher sustained loads, but the recorded benchmarks do not demonstrate any advantage from that higher power envelope.

The i3-8145U also benefits from newer memory support, with DDR4 and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth versus the i5-4288U's DDR3 support with no recorded bandwidth figure. For memory-heavy workloads, the i3-8145U likely has a further advantage, though the benchmark data does not isolate memory performance directly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145U has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4288U has a boost clock of 3.10 GHz.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each processor?

A: The i3-8145U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4288U has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The i3-8145U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-4288U supports DDR3 memory, with no memory bus or bandwidth data recorded.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite this, the i3-8145U leads by roughly 43 percent in all recorded multi-core benchmarks.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The i3-8145U is rated at 15 W TDP, while the i5-4288U is rated at 28 W TDP. The lower-TDP chip delivers higher benchmark scores.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i3-8145U averages 941 across recorded tests, while the i5-4288U averages 927. Both sit in the 25th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-8145U | Intel Core i5-4288U |

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

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1528 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Whiskey Lake | Haswell |

| Codename | Whiskey Lake-U | Haswell |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 118 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not recorded |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 620 | Intel HD 5100 |

| Release Date | 2018-09-30 | 2013-06-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRFFZSRD1WSRD1V | SR189 |

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i3-8145U outperforms the Intel Core i5-4288U in every measured benchmark category. The margins are consistent at roughly 43 percent across single-core and multi-core tests, which indicates a structural advantage from the newer Whiskey Lake architecture and 10 nm process node rather than a workload-specific edge.

Users seeking better raw performance from these two mobile processors should choose the i3-8145U. It delivers higher scores in all Cinebench tests, supports newer DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth, includes a larger L3 cache, and does so at a lower 15 W TDP compared to the i5-4288U's 28 W TDP. The i3-8145U's boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the i5-4288U is the most direct explanation for the benchmark gap.

The i5-4288U retains one advantage: its higher base clock of 2.60 GHz could theoretically provide more consistent performance in short, lightly-threaded bursts where boost clocks are not sustained. However, no recorded benchmark confirms this advantage, and the single-core test results show the i3-8145U leading by 43.2 percent in both R20 and R23. The i5-4288U also has a recorded transistor count and die size, which may be relevant for those interested in manufacturing details, but these do not translate into performance wins.

For anyone choosing between these two specific processors based on the database, the i3-8145U is the clear pick. Its release date of September 2018 versus June 2013 for the i5-4288U reflects five years of architectural progress, and the benchmark data shows that progress delivers substantial gains. The i5-4288U should only be considered if platform compatibility requires Intel BGA 1168, as the two chips use different sockets and are not interchangeable.