CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N100 and Intel Core i7-880 are separated by over a decade of silicon evolution, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The data shows the N100 edges out the i7-880 with an average score of 1007 versus 1006, a negligible 0.1% difference. This parity masks a dramatic divergence in workload behavior: the N100 dominates in single-threaded and older multi-threaded tests, while the i7-880 pulls ahead in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the head-to-head comparison is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Intel Processor N100 scores 910.5 against the i7-880’s 412. That is a 121% advantage for the N100, more than doubling the older chip’s output. This is the clearest signal in the dataset: for any workload that depends on a single thread’s responsiveness, the N100 is in a different class entirely.

The N100 also wins the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, posting 401.5 versus 294 for the i7-880. The 36.6% delta here is substantial, showing that in this older benchmark, the N100’s four Gracemont cores outperform the i7-880’s four Nehalem cores despite the i7-880 having twice the thread count. The R15 test appears to favor the newer architecture’s efficiency and per-core throughput.

However, the tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here the Intel Core i7-880 scores 2923, while the N100 manages 2559.5. The i7-880 leads by 12.4%, flipping the result from R15. This reversal suggests that the R23 workload scales better with the i7-880’s eight threads, allowing its hyper-threading to compensate for older, slower cores. The N100’s four threads hit a ceiling that the i7-880’s additional logical processors can push past.

Overall, the N100 claims 2 wins out of 3 head-to-head benchmarks. The i7-880’s single victory is narrow in percentage terms compared to the N100’s blowout in single-core, but it is a meaningful one for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from entirely different eras of Intel design. The Intel Processor N100 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-880 is built on Nehalem architecture using a 45 nm process. This process gap explains much of the efficiency and clock behavior difference. The i7-880 also carries a 774 million transistor count on a 296 mm² die, while the N100 has no listed transistor or die size data in the benchmark database.

Core counts are equal at four physical cores, but the i7-880 doubles the thread count to 8 via hyper-threading, whereas the N100 operates with 4 threads. Cache layouts differ significantly. The N100 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-880 counters with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i7-880’s larger per-core L2 and total L3 give it a cache capacity advantage, but the N100’s newer memory support and architecture compensate in most tests.

Memory support is a stark differentiator. The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-880 is limited to DDR3 but uses a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure listed. PCIe generations differ too: the N100 offers Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the i7-880 provides Gen 2 with 16 lanes. The N100 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730; the i7-880 has no integrated graphics at all.

The N100 is a mobile-market chip on Intel BGA 1264 socket with a 6 W TDP, released in January 2023. The i7-880 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1156 with a 95 W TDP, released in May 2010. The production status tells the story: the N100 is active, while the i7-880 is end-of-life. The N100’s boost clock reaches 3.40 GHz from a 100 MHz base, while the i7-880 boosts to 3.73 GHz from a 3.07 GHz base. Despite the i7-880’s higher peak clock, the N100’s newer architecture wins in single-thread performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N100 is the clear winner for single-threaded tasks. The 121% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core means application startup, UI responsiveness, and lightly threaded productivity software will all favor the N100. Its 910.5 score versus 412 is not a marginal edge; it is a generational leap. The N100 also wins the R15 multi-core test, indicating it handles older software workloads with greater efficiency than the i7-880.

The Intel Core i7-880 wins in the modern multi-threaded rendering scenario represented by Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 2923 score against 2559.5 shows that when a workload can use all eight threads, the older chip’s hyper-threading provides a real advantage. This makes the i7-880 the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, or any parallel compute task that is optimized for high thread counts.

The N100’s 6 W TDP versus the i7-880’s 95 W TDP is a decisive factor for any system where heat and power draw matter. The N100 can run fanless or with minimal cooling in compact devices, while the i7-880 requires a substantial cooling solution and a desktop power delivery system. The N100’s integrated graphics also give it an edge for basic display output without a discrete GPU, something the i7-880 cannot offer.

For legacy software, the N100’s R15 multi-core win suggests better compatibility with older APIs and instruction sets. The i7-880’s R23 multi-core win suggests it remains relevant for current rendering workloads that scale with thread count. The N100’s active production status means it is available for new designs, while the i7-880 is end-of-life and only available on the used market.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ according to the benchmark database.

| Specification | Intel Processor N100 | Intel Core i7-880 |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 100 MHz | 3.07 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.73 GHz |

| TDP | 6 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Gracemont | Nehalem |

| Codename | Gracemont | Lynnfield |

| Generation | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) | Core i7 (Lynnfield) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 774 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 296 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| 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 2, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2010-05-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $128 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRMDM | SLBPS |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Processor N100 has an average benchmark score of 1007, while the Intel Core i7-880 scores 1006. The N100 leads by 0.1%, a statistically insignificant margin.

Q: How does single-core performance compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N100 scores 910.5 versus the i7-880’s 412. The N100 leads by 121%, making it more than twice as fast in single-threaded workloads.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-threaded rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-880 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 2923, compared to the N100’s 2559.5. The i7-880 leads by 12.4% in this test.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. However, the i7-880 supports 8 threads via hyper-threading, while the N100 has only 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The N100 has a TDP of 6 W, whereas the i7-880 has a TDP of 95 W. This makes the N100 dramatically more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor supports more modern memory types?

A: The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the i7-880 supports only DDR3. The N100 also uses a single-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-880 uses dual-channel with no listed bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split: the Intel Processor N100 is the superior choice for single-threaded performance, power efficiency, and modern platform features. Its 121% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 36.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core make it the better pick for everyday computing, office work, and any software that is not perfectly parallelized. The 6 W TDP versus 95 W means the N100 can operate in systems where the i7-880 would be physically impractical.

The Intel Core i7-880 retains one advantage: multi-threaded rendering in modern benchmarks. Its 12.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows that the eight threads still matter for heavily parallel workloads. Anyone running continuous multi-threaded render jobs on a desktop with abundant power and cooling might prefer the i7-880 for that specific task.

However, the i7-880 is end-of-life, uses a dead socket, lacks integrated graphics, and requires DDR3 memory. The N100 is active, supports DDR4/DDR5, includes UHD Graphics 730, and fits in mobile form factors. The N100 also matches the i7-880’s 27th percentile ranking among all CPUs, confirming that despite its low power draw, it delivers comparable overall performance.

For new system builds, the N100 is the data-driven choice. Its single-core dominance and architectural modernity outweigh the i7-880’s narrow multi-thread win. For legacy desktop upgrades where the i7-880 is already installed and multi-threaded rendering is the primary workload, the i7-880 still has a measurable edge. The verdict from the benchmark data is that the N100 wins the overall comparison, with the i7-880 holding a single, specialized niche.