CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N100 and Intel Core i7-5600U represent two very different approaches to mobile computing, separated by nearly eight years of silicon evolution. The N100 is a modern, power-sipping Alder Lake-N part built for efficiency, while the i7-5600U is a legacy Broadwell chip that once defined the premium ultrabook segment. Benchmark data shows the N100 sweeping all head-to-head tests, but the story is more nuanced than a simple scoreboard. The i7-5600U retains advantages in platform features that the N100 lacks, making the choice heavily dependent on the specific workload and system requirements.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: the Intel Processor N100 wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all three contested tests. The biggest victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N100 scores 910.5 against the i7-5600U's 358, a massive delta of 154.3%. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap in raw per-thread performance. The N100's Gracemont architecture is delivering over 2.5 times the single-threaded throughput of the older Broadwell design, which matters immensely for everyday responsiveness, application launches, and lightly-threaded workloads like web browsing or office productivity.

In multi-threaded scenarios, the N100 also comes out ahead, though the margin varies significantly by test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N100 scores 401.5 versus the i7-5600U's 255, a 57.5% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the gap narrows dramatically to just 0.9%, with the N100 scoring 2559.5 and the i7-5600U at 2537. This suggests that under sustained, heavily-threaded loads, the i7-5600U's dual-core design with Hyper-Threading can hold its own much better, likely due to higher sustained clocks or more mature thermal management. The i7-5600U wins no benchmark categories outright, but its competitive R23 multi-core result shows it is not obsolete in every scenario.

Where the i7-5600U does hold a qualitative advantage is in its dual-channel memory support. The N100 is restricted to single-channel memory, which can bottleneck memory-intensive applications even if the raw compute scores are higher. The i7-5600U also supports dual-channel DDR3, offering 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth compared to the N100's 38.4 GB/s on paper, though the N100's higher peak bandwidth is offset by its single-channel limitation in practice. For users running memory-heavy tasks like integrated graphics gaming or virtual machines, the i7-5600U's dual-channel setup could provide a smoother experience despite lower CPU benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Processor N100 is built on a 10 nm process node and uses the Gracemont architecture, which is Intel's efficiency-focused core design. It features 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 100 MHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The N100's cache hierarchy is notable: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, though only in single-channel mode, and has a PCIe Gen 3 interface with 9 lanes. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730, and the entire package fits within a 6 W TDP, making it extremely power-efficient.

In contrast, the Intel Core i7-5600U is a Broadwell-U part built on a 14 nm process with 2 cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is 2.60 GHz with a boost of 3.20 GHz, and it carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The i7-5600U supports only DDR3 memory but does so in dual-channel configuration, and it has a PCIe Gen 2 interface with 12 lanes. Its integrated graphics are Intel HD 5500. The TDP is 15 W, which is 2.5 times higher than the N100, reflecting the older, less efficient process node. The i7-5600U also has a larger transistor count at 1,300 million and a die size of 82 mm², while the N100's transistor count and die size are not specified in the data.

The production statuses also diverge: the N100 is active and current, while the i7-5600U is end-of-life. The N100 was released in January 2023, whereas the i7-5600U launched in February 2015. This eight-year gap explains the architectural improvements. The N100's Gracemont cores are designed for high efficiency per watt, while the i7-5600U's Broadwell cores were designed for a different era of mobile computing. The N100 also supports newer memory types and has a more modern PCIe implementation, though the i7-5600U counters with dual-channel memory and more PCIe lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data provides a clear quantitative picture. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Processor N100 scores 401.5 against the i7-5600U's 255, winning by 57.5%. This is a substantial victory, indicating that even in multi-threaded scenarios, the N100's four Gracemont cores outpace the i7-5600U's two Broadwell cores with Hyper-Threading. The R15 test is older and less demanding, so the N100's architectural efficiency shines through.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the results are much closer. The N100 scores 2559.5, and the i7-5600U scores 2537, resulting in a narrow 0.9% win for the N100. This near-tie is significant because R23 is a more modern and demanding benchmark that stresses sustained multi-core performance. The i7-5600U's higher TDP of 15 W likely allows it to maintain boost clocks longer under load, while the N100's 6 W TDP may force it to throttle more aggressively. Despite this, the N100 still edges out the win, but the margin is negligible.

The single-core result is where the N100 utterly dominates. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N100 scores 910.5, while the i7-5600U scores just 358. This is a 154.3% delta, meaning the N100 is more than 2.5 times faster in single-threaded performance. This is a colossal generational improvement, driven by the Gracemont architecture's superior instruction-per-clock (IPC) and higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus the i7-5600U's 3.20 GHz. For any workload that is not fully multi-threaded, the N100 will feel dramatically faster. The i7-5600U also has a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 150 and a Geekbench single-core score of 917, but these are not directly compared in the head-to-head data. The N100's wins are clear and decisive in two of three tests, with a close call in the third.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N100 is overwhelmingly faster. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 910.5 versus the i7-5600U's 358, a 154.3% advantage.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-5600U competitive in any benchmark?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-5600U scores 2537, nearly matching the N100's 2559.5, a difference of only 0.9%. This shows it can still compete in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Processor N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in single-channel mode. The Intel Core i7-5600U supports only DDR3 memory but in dual-channel mode.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Intel Processor N100 has a TDP of 6 W, while the Intel Core i7-5600U has a TDP of 15 W. The N100 is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Processor N100 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-5600U's 3.20 GHz boost clock.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Processor N100 is active and current, while the Intel Core i7-5600U is end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the Intel Processor N100 as the better-performing CPU in raw computational terms. It wins all three head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with particularly crushing victories in single-core performance (154.3% ahead) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (57.5% ahead). Its modern 10 nm Gracemont architecture delivers superior performance per watt, evidenced by its 6 W TDP compared to the i7-5600U's 15 W. For anyone building or buying a new system, the N100 is the clear choice for CPU-bound tasks, offering nearly double the average benchmark score parity (the N100 averages 1007, the i7-5600U averages 1005, but the N100's wins are concentrated in critical areas).

However, the i7-5600U is not without merit in specific scenarios. Its dual-channel memory support provides a real advantage for memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications, even if its peak theoretical bandwidth (25.6 GB/s) is lower than the N100's (38.4 GB/s). The i7-5600U also has a higher PCIe lane count (12 Gen 2 lanes versus 9 Gen 3 lanes), which could be relevant for systems with multiple expansion devices. The i7-5600U's near-tie in Cinebench R23 multi-core (0.9% delta) suggests it can still handle sustained multi-threaded workloads competently, making it a viable option in legacy systems where the platform (socket BGA 1168) is already in place.

For a new purchase, the Intel Processor N100 is the only rational choice. It is faster, more efficient, and actively produced, with a launch MSRP of $128. The i7-5600U is end-of-life and was launched at $393, making it an obsolete investment. The verdict is straightforward: pick the N100 for any new build or upgrade where performance and efficiency matter, and only consider the i7-5600U if you are locked into an existing Broadwell platform and cannot upgrade the motherboard. The data does not support any other conclusion.