Intel Core i3-8145UE vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a split picture between the Intel Core i3-8145UE and the Intel Processor N97, with each part taking victories in different workloads. Across the three head-to-head comparisons, the Intel Processor N97 wins two tests, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE takes one, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 posts a score of 479 against the Intel Core i3-8145UE's 337. That represents a 29.6% advantage for the N97, a substantial lead in this legacy multi-threaded test. The N97's four physical cores, even without hyper-threading, appear to deliver a clear throughput advantage over the i3-8145UE's two cores with four threads in this particular workload.

However, the picture flips dramatically in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the Intel Core i3-8145UE scores 3354, while the Intel Processor N97 manages only 2913. The i3-8145UE leads by 15.1% in the newer, more demanding multi-core benchmark. This is a notable inversion: the older Whiskey Lake part outperforms the newer Gracemont-based processor in the more modern rendering workload, despite having half the physical core count.

The most striking result comes in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel Processor N97 scores 973, versus the Intel Core i3-8145UE's 473. The N97's advantage here is 51.4%, more than double the single-threaded performance of its rival. This is a decisive win for the Gracemont architecture in lightly threaded tasks, and it underscores how far Intel's efficiency cores have come in terms of per-thread throughput.

Interestingly, the average benchmark scores tell a different story. The Intel Core i3-8145UE has an average benchmark score of 1154, placing it at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Processor N97 averages 1132, sitting at the 32nd percentile. The two are nearly tied in overall standing, with the i3-8145UE holding a slim aggregate edge despite losing two of the three direct comparisons.

The nearest rivals for each part reinforce this closeness. The Intel Core i3-8145UE sits within 0.6% of the AMD Opteron 4334 (1155 average), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2312 (1156), the Intel Core i5-4430 (1149), and the Intel Core i7-3612QE (1147). The Intel Processor N97 is similarly clustered around the Intel Core i3-10110U (1131), Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (1130), Intel Core i3-4370 (1130), and Intel Core i5-4690T (1129), with deltas of 0.1% to 0.3%. Both processors occupy nearly identical performance tiers when looking at aggregate scores.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The Intel Core i3-8145UE is based on Whiskey Lake, specifically the Whiskey Lake-U codename, and belongs to the Core i3 generation. The Intel Processor N97 uses the Gracemont architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation. Both are built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, but the microarchitectural philosophies diverge sharply.

Core counts represent the most obvious difference. The i3-8145UE offers 2 cores and 4 threads, while the N97 provides 4 cores and 4 threads. The N97 has no hyper-threading, which matches its efficiency-focused Gracemont design. Clock speeds also differ: the i3-8145UE has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the N97 lists a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost of 3.60 GHz. The i3-8145UE can reach a higher boost frequency, which helps explain its strong Cinebench R23 multi-core showing despite fewer cores.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The i3-8145UE provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The N97 offers 96 KB of L1 per core, a shared 2 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The N97's larger L3 pool (6 MB versus 4 MB) and larger per-core L1 likely contribute to its single-threaded dominance, while the i3-8145UE's per-core L2 design may benefit certain multi-core workloads.

Memory support differs in both type and channel configuration. The i3-8145UE supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel memory bus. The N97 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but uses a single-channel memory bus. Interestingly, both parts are rated for the same 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, meaning the N97's single-channel implementation achieves the same theoretical throughput as the i3-8145UE's dual-channel setup.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i3-8145UE carries UHD Graphics 620, while the N97 features UHD Graphics 730. PCIe connectivity is another differentiator: the i3-8145UE provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the N97 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), a reduction that reflects its lower-power positioning.

Thermal design power is close but not identical: the i3-8145UE is rated at 15 W, while the N97 draws 12 W. The N97 is the more power-efficient part on paper. Socket compatibility also differs, with the i3-8145UE using Intel BGA 1528 and the N97 using Intel BGA 1264, meaning they are not drop-in interchangeable.

The Verdict

The data suggests two different usage profiles. The Intel Processor N97 is the clear choice for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-core rendering. Its 51.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is decisive, and its 29.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core shows strength in older workloads. For lightweight, everyday tasks where single-thread speed matters most, the N97 delivers more than double the performance of the i3-8145UE in the recorded single-core test.

The Intel Core i3-8145UE, meanwhile, wins the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 15.1%. This suggests that in current multi-threaded rendering workloads, the older dual-core part with hyper-threading outperforms the newer quad-core efficiency design. The i3-8145UE also holds a tiny edge in aggregate average score (1154 versus 1132) and percentile ranking (33rd versus 32nd), though these differences are marginal.

Users who prioritize modern multi-core rendering should look at the i3-8145UE based on these measurements. Those who need single-thread responsiveness or run software that scales with the older Cinebench R15 workload should favor the N97. The N97 also offers lower power consumption at 12 W versus 15 W, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives it more flexibility in system design.

Neither processor is a performance king. Both sit in the low 30th percentile among all CPUs, and both are surrounded by rivals from the mid-2010s in the database's nearest neighbor rankings. The choice between them should hinge on the specific workload mix rather than any overall superiority.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-8145UE | Intel Processor N97 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 12 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1528 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Whiskey Lake | Gracemont |

| Codename | Whiskey Lake-U | Gracemont |

| Generation | Core i3 (Whiskey Lake) | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) |

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

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

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

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 620 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Release date | 2018-09-30 | 2023-01-02 |

| Part number | SRFDT | SRMLM |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i3-8145UE has 2 cores. Both support 4 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Processor N97 scores 973 versus the Intel Core i3-8145UE's 473, giving the N97 a 51.4% lead.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the benchmark version. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N97 wins with 479 versus 337 (29.6% lead). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-8145UE wins with 3354 versus 2913 (15.1% lead).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i3-8145UE and the Intel Processor N97 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145UE supports DDR4 only. The Intel Processor N97 supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-8145UE has an average benchmark score of 1154, placing at the 33rd percentile. The Intel Processor N97 averages 1132, placing at the 32nd percentile. The i3-8145UE holds a very slim aggregate edge.