CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two four-core processors along generational and architectural lines. The Intel Processor N95 wins two of the three head-to-head tests, including a decisive single-core victory, while the Intel Core i3-9100HL claims the multi-core Cinebench R23 crown. The N95 is the clear choice for single-threaded workloads and legacy multi-core tests, but the i3-9100HL demonstrates superior sustained multi-core performance in the modern Cinebench R23 metric. The N95’s 29th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the i3-9100HL’s identical 29th percentile, yet their average benchmark scores differ by only 5 points (1070 vs 1065). This near-tie in aggregate scoring masks stark per-test divergence. The N95 should be selected for single-core responsiveness and older software compatibility, while the i3-9100HL is preferable for modern multi-threaded rendering tasks. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a workload-dependent choice.

Architecture Differences

The N95 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process, while the i3-9100HL relies on the older Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, but the cache layouts differ significantly. The N95 features 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache, whereas the i3-9100HL has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache, though the N95’s L3 is labeled as shared while the i3-9100HL’s is also shared. The N95’s base clock is listed as 100.00 (likely a placeholder for a variable base), with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i3-9100HL has a base clock of 1.60 GHz and a boost of 2.90 GHz. The process node difference (10 nm vs 14 nm) explains the N95’s lower TDP of 15 watts compared to the i3-9100HL’s 25 watts. The N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in single-channel mode with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the i3-9100HL supports only DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i3-9100HL uniquely supports ECC memory and has double the PCIe lanes (16 vs 9) on Gen 3. The N95 is built on Intel BGA 1264 socket, while the i3-9100HL uses Intel BGA 1440. The N95 integrates UHD Graphics 710, while the i3-9100HL has UHD Graphics 630. The i3-9100HL’s die size is 126 mm², a figure not available for the N95. The N95 is an active mobile processor released in January 2023, while the i3-9100HL is an end-of-life desktop processor from March 2019.

Where Each One Wins

The N95 dominates in single-core performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 914 more than doubles the i3-9100HL’s 436, a 109.6% advantage. This suggests the N95 is better suited for lightly-threaded applications, interactive workloads, and tasks that rely on per-core responsiveness. The N95 also wins the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test with 445 versus 311, a 43.1% margin, indicating stronger performance in legacy multi-threaded benchmarks. The i3-9100HL wins the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 3094 versus 2769, a 10.5% advantage. This indicates the i3-9100HL is better for current multi-threaded rendering workloads that scale across cores. The i3-9100HL also has a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 1299 and single-core score of 183, though the N95 lacks R20 data for direct comparison. The N95’s higher boost clock (3.40 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) likely drives its single-core superiority, while the i3-9100HL’s dual-channel memory and higher TDP may support its multi-core endurance. The N95’s lower power draw (15W vs 25W) makes it the efficiency pick, while the i3-9100HL’s ECC support and wider PCIe connectivity favor embedded or reliability-focused deployments.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Processor N95 wins decisively with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 914 versus the i3-9100HL’s 436, representing a 109.6% advantage.

Q: Which processor performs better in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-9100HL wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 3094 points, beating the N95’s 2769 by 10.5%.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads, making them comparable in thread-count but distinct in architecture and clock speeds.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-9100HL supports ECC memory; the Intel Processor N95 does not list ECC as a feature.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The N95 has an average benchmark score of 1070, while the i3-9100HL scores 1065, a difference of only 5 points. Both rank at the 29th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has the lower power draw?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i3-9100HL has a TDP of 25 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win in either direction belongs to the N95 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The N95 scores 914 against the i3-9100HL’s 436, a 109.6% delta. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a doubling of performance. The N95’s Gracemont architecture and 3.40 GHz boost clock clearly deliver far superior per-thread throughput compared to the Coffee Lake chip’s 2.90 GHz boost. Short declarative: the N95 crushes the i3-9100HL in single-threaded work.

The second-largest win is the N95’s 43.1% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The N95 posts 445 against 311. This older benchmark still favors the N95 despite the i3-9100HL’s higher thermal envelope and dual-channel memory. The N95’s lower TDP (15W vs 25W) does not hinder its performance here, suggesting the Gracemont cores are more efficient per watt in this workload.

The i3-9100HL’s only win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3094 versus the N95’s 2769, a 10.5% margin. This is a significant reversal from the R15 multi-core result. The i3-9100HL’s dual-channel memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) and higher TDP likely enable better sustained multi-core performance under the newer R23 workload, which is more demanding and longer-running. The N95’s 10 nm process and Gracemont efficiency cannot overcome the memory bandwidth and power draw disadvantage in this test.

The N95 also holds a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 151, though the i3-9100HL lacks an R15 single-core score for comparison. The i3-9100HL has R20 scores (1299 multi-core, 183 single-core) that have no N95 counterpart. These missing data points limit direct comparison, but the available tests show a clear pattern: the N95 wins where single-core speed matters, while the i3-9100HL wins in modern multi-core rendering.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N95 | Intel Core i3-9100HL |

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

| Architecture | Gracemont | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Base Clock | 100.00 | 1600.00 |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel BGA 1440 |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 710 | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2019-03-31 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $225 |

| Die Size | Not listed | 126 mm² |

| Part Number | Not listed | SRFEK |

The N95’s 100.00 base clock is an outlier in the data, likely representing a low base frequency with a high turbo, given its 3.40 GHz boost. The i3-9100HL’s 1600.00 base clock is more conventional. The N95’s L2 cache is shared at 2 MB, while the i3-9100HL allocates 256 KB per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache equally. The N95’s support for DDR5 memory is a generational advantage, though its single-channel bus limits bandwidth versus the i3-9100HL’s dual-channel DDR4. The i3-9100HL’s 16 PCIe lanes double the N95’s 9, and only the i3-9100HL offers ECC memory. The N95 is a mobile part, while the i3-9100HL is a desktop part, despite both using BGA sockets. The i3-9100HL’s die size of 126 mm² is the only physical dimension disclosed. The N95 has no launch MSRP listed, while the i3-9100HL carries a $225 launch MSRP, stated here for reference only. The i3-9100HL’s end-of-life status contrasts with the N95’s active production, indicating the N95 is the forward-looking option despite its mixed benchmark results.