CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N95 and Intel Core i5-2380P are both 4-core, 4-thread processors that land in the same performance percentile, yet they achieve that status through completely different means. The benchmark data shows a generational clash: the N95 delivers modern single-thread efficiency and wins two of three head-to-head tests, while the i5-2380P leverages its older, higher-power design to win the multi-core workload that matters most in contemporary rendering. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1070 for the N95 versus 1063 for the i5-2380P, but the distribution of those scores tells a far more interesting story.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N95 is the clear winner in single-threaded performance, which is the dominant factor in everyday responsiveness, light productivity, and legacy application compatibility. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, the N95 scores 914 against the i5-2380P's 436, a staggering 109.6% advantage. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a complete generational leap. The N95 also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test with a score of 445 versus 311, a 43.1% difference. This suggests that in older multi-threaded workloads, particularly those that rely on lower thread counts or less scalable code, the N95's architectural efficiency carries the day.

The Intel Core i5-2380P wins exactly one test, but it is the most important one for modern content creation: Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here, the i5-2380P scores 3090 against the N95's 2769, a 10.4% advantage. This result indicates that in heavily threaded, sustained workloads, the i5-2380P's higher thermal headroom and dual-channel memory configuration allow it to pull ahead. The i5-2380P also benefits from having a dedicated desktop platform with 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, whereas the N95 is a mobile part with only 9 lanes. For users running long renders or batch processing, the i5-2380P is the more consistent performer.

The split is clean: the N95 wins where latency and single-thread speed matter, while the i5-2380P wins where raw sustained multi-core throughput is required.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent opposite ends of Intel's design philosophy. The Intel Processor N95 is built on the Gracemont architecture, which is Intel's efficiency-focused core design, manufactured on a 10 nm process. It is part of the Alder Lake-N generation, released in January 2023. The N95 uses a single Gracemont core cluster with 4 cores and 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading, and operates with a base clock of 100 MHz and a boost clock of 3.4 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is modern: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The TDP is just 15 watts, making it a low-power mobile part on the Intel BGA 1264 socket.

The Intel Core i5-2380P is a desktop processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, released in January 2012. It uses the older 32 nm process and the larger Sandy Bridge core design. It has 4 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 3.1 GHz and a boost clock of 3.4 GHz. Its cache layout is different: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB L3 shared. The i5-2380P has a TDP of 95 watts, over six times that of the N95, and uses the Intel Socket 1155 platform. It also has a much larger physical footprint with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors, whereas the N95's die size and transistor count are not listed in the available data.

Memory support is another key divider. The N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The i5-2380P supports only DDR3 but uses a dual-channel memory bus, which historically provides higher effective bandwidth for multi-core workloads. The i5-2380P also lacks integrated graphics, while the N95 includes UHD Graphics 710, making the N95 a more complete system-on-chip solution.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N95's score of 914 more than doubles the i5-2380P's 436. The 109.6% delta is the largest margin in any test and highlights the architectural efficiency of Gracemont versus the aging Sandy Bridge cores. This result explains why the N95 feels faster in daily tasks despite its lower power envelope.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N95 wins again with 445 versus 311, a 43.1% advantage. This older benchmark is less sensitive to memory bandwidth and more reliant on clock speed and IPC, both of which favor the N95's modern design. The N95's ability to outperform in this test suggests that legacy software libraries, which are still common in industrial and scientific applications, will run better on the newer part.

The i5-2380P's sole victory comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3090 against the N95's 2769, a 10.4% margin. This test is heavily multi-threaded and scales with sustained power delivery and memory bandwidth. The i5-2380P's 95-watt TDP and dual-channel DDR3 configuration provide the necessary resources to sustain higher throughput over longer durations. The N95, constrained by its 15-watt TDP and single-channel memory, falls behind despite its architectural advantages.

The overall win count is 2-1 in favor of the N95, but the average benchmark scores are nearly tied at 1070 versus 1063. This indicates that the i5-2380P's single win is substantial enough to nearly offset the N95's two victories.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N95 is decisively better. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 914 versus the i5-2380P's 436, a 109.6% improvement.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-2380P faster in any workload?

A: Yes. The i5-2380P wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 3090, which is 10.4% higher than the N95's 2769.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. However, the N95 uses Gracemont efficiency cores, while the i5-2380P uses Sandy Bridge performance cores.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The N95 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i5-2380P has a TDP of 95 watts. This is a significant difference that affects cooling requirements and energy efficiency.

Q: Which processor supports more modern memory?

A: The N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i5-2380P supports only DDR3. However, the i5-2380P uses a dual-channel memory bus, whereas the N95 is single-channel.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Only the N95 includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 710. The i5-2380P has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N95 | Intel Core i5-2380P |

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

| Architecture | Gracemont | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 32 nm |

| Base Clock | 100.00 MHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 216 mm² |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR3 |

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

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 710 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2012-01-29 |

| Part Number | Not listed | SR0G2 |

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. The Intel Processor N95 is the superior processor for general-purpose computing, legacy software, and any task that benefits from high single-thread speed. Its 109.6% lead in single-core performance is transformative for user experience, and its 43.1% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core confirms that older applications run significantly better on the newer architecture. The N95 also offers integrated graphics, modern DDR4/DDR5 memory support, and a 15-watt TDP, making it the logical choice for compact, low-power systems where efficiency matters.

The Intel Core i5-2380P is the better choice only for sustained, modern multi-threaded workloads. Its 10.4% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, combined with 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and dual-channel memory, makes it a viable option for a desktop workstation that runs long rendering jobs. However, this comes at the cost of a 95-watt TDP, no integrated graphics, and severely outdated single-core performance that is less than half of the N95's score. The i5-2380P's platform is also a decade older, which limits upgrade paths and modern connectivity.

For most users, the N95's combination of modern features, efficiency, and dominant single-thread performance makes it the recommended processor. The i5-2380P's single multi-core victory cannot compensate for its deficiencies elsewhere, and the near-identical average benchmark scores (1070 versus 1063) belie the fact that the N95 achieves parity while consuming one-sixth the power. The verdict is data-driven: choose the N95 for a balanced, future-ready system; choose the i5-2380P only if your specific workload is exclusively sustained multi-threaded rendering and you have no need for integrated graphics.