Intel Pentium G4560 vs Intel Processor N150 Comparison

The Intel Pentium G4560 and Intel Processor N150 occupy the same performance percentile (28th) but arrive at that standing through entirely different design philosophies. The G4560 is a 2017 desktop chip built for traditional socketed builds, while the N150 is a 2024 mobile processor soldered to the motherboard. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1031 for the G4560 versus 1025 for the N150 — yet the underlying benchmark results tell a story of divergent strengths that matter more than the aggregate suggests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking single result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the N150 delivers a score of 935 against the G4560's 423. That is a 54.8% advantage for the newer chip, a massive gap that reflects how far single-threaded performance has come in seven years. The N150's boost clock of 3.60 GHz, combined with its newer 10 nm process, allows it to crush the older Kaby Lake design in lightly threaded workloads. The G4560, with its fixed 3.50 GHz clock and no boost capability, simply cannot compete in this arena.

Multi-core results, however, flip the script in a way that defies the core count difference. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the G4560 scores 2996 versus the N150's 2590.5, giving the Pentium a 15.7% victory. This is counterintuitive because the N150 has four physical cores while the G4560 has only two. Yet the G4560's 51 W TDP and dual-channel memory bus allow it to sustain higher throughput over time, while the N150's 6 W TDP and single-channel memory constrain its aggregate performance despite having twice the core count.

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells yet another story. Here the N150 wins with 422.5 against the G4560's 301, a 28.8% margin. This older benchmark seems to favor the N150's four-core design more than the R23 version does. The discrepancy between R15 and R23 results for these two chips is fascinating — it suggests that the N150's performance scales differently depending on the workload's memory access patterns or instruction mix. The G4560 wins the R23 multi-core test, the N150 wins the R15 multi-core test, and the N150 wins single-core decisively. Overall, the N150 takes two of the three head-to-head matchups.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap is generation and process node. The G4560 uses Kaby Lake on Intel's 14 nm process, while the N150 uses Twin Lake on 10 nm. That process difference explains much of the efficiency and clock behavior: the N150 boosts to 3.60 GHz despite a 6 W TDP, whereas the G4560 runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz with a 51 W TDP. The power envelope is staggering — 51 watts versus 6 watts — yet the average benchmark scores differ by less than 1%.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. The G4560 has 2 cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 3 MB shared L3. The N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads — no hyper-threading — with 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The N150's L3 cache is double the G4560's, and its L2 is shared rather than per-core, reflecting a different memory hierarchy design optimized for efficiency rather than raw desktop throughput.

Memory support separates them further. The G4560 supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel mode, yet still achieves the same 38.4 GB/s bandwidth figure. The single-channel limitation likely explains why the N150 loses the R23 multi-core test despite having more cores — memory bandwidth becomes a bottleneck under sustained multi-threaded load. PCIe lanes also differ: the G4560 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the N150 offers Gen 3 with only 9 lanes, further indicating the G4560's desktop expansion capability versus the N150's mobile integration focus.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The G4560 pairs with Intel HD 610, while the N150 features UHD Graphics 730. The N150's graphics solution is newer and likely more capable, though the benchmark data does not include graphics tests. The socket difference — Intel Socket 1151 for the G4560 versus Intel BGA 1264 for the N150 — is critical: the G4560 is replaceable and upgradeable, while the N150 is permanently soldered.

Where Each One Wins

The G4560 wins in scenarios where sustained multi-threaded performance and memory bandwidth matter. Its 15.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core indicates that workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation that run for extended periods will favor the desktop chip. The dual-channel memory bus and higher TDP allow the G4560 to maintain performance without throttling under load. It also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, making it suitable for a discrete GPU in a desktop build.

The N150 wins in single-threaded performance by a massive 54.8% margin in R23 single-core. This makes it superior for everyday responsiveness, web browsing, office applications, and any software that relies heavily on a single thread. Its 4 cores also give it an edge in the older R15 multi-core benchmark, suggesting it handles lighter parallel workloads well. The 6 W TDP makes it ideal for fanless or passively cooled devices, and its support for DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory allows for more modern system configurations.

The data implies that the N150 is the better choice for general-purpose mobile computing where burst performance and efficiency are key. The G4560 remains relevant for budget desktop systems where sustained multi-core work and expandability take priority. The 28th percentile ranking for both chips places them in the entry-level tier, but they achieve that tier through opposite means — one through raw single-core speed on a modern node, the other through a power-hungry but capable desktop design.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N150 scores 935 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 54.8% higher than the Intel Pentium G4560's 423.

Q: How do their multi-core scores compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the G4560 wins with 2996 against the N150's 2590.5, a 15.7% margin. However, in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the N150 wins with 422.5 versus the G4560's 301, a 28.8% difference.

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

A: No. The G4560 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the N150 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The N150 does not support hyper-threading.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The G4560 supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode. The N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in single-channel mode. Both achieve 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: Are these processors upgradeable?

A: The G4560 uses Intel Socket 1151, allowing it to be removed and replaced, while the N150 uses Intel BGA 1264, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.

Q: Which processor has a lower power draw?

A: The N150 has a 6 W TDP compared to the G4560's 51 W TDP, making the N150 dramatically more power-efficient despite similar average benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Pentium G4560 | Intel Processor N150 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 0.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 6 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Twin Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 610 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2024-11-19 |

| Part Number | SR32Y | SRPNR |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case rather than overall superiority. The Intel Processor N150 should be chosen for applications prioritizing single-threaded speed, power efficiency, and modern memory support. Its 54.8% single-core advantage in R23 makes it the obvious pick for general computing, web workloads, and any task where responsiveness matters more than sustained multi-core output. The 6 W TDP enables silent, low-power devices that the 51 W G4560 cannot match. The N150 also offers newer integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730 versus HD 610) and supports DDR5 and LPDDR5.

The Intel Pentium G4560 remains the better choice for desktop users who need sustained multi-threaded performance and expansion options. Its 15.7% win in R23 multi-core, dual-channel memory, and 16 PCIe lanes make it more suitable for a budget desktop with a discrete GPU and heavy parallel workloads. The socketed design allows for future upgrades, something the soldered N150 cannot offer.

The near-identical average benchmark scores (1031 versus 1025) and identical 28th percentile ranking obscure how differently these chips behave. The N150 is a burst performer that excels in short, single-threaded tasks but struggles under sustained multi-core load due to its single-channel memory and 6 W power limit. The G4560 is a steady, consistent performer that trades efficiency for capability. Buyers should match the chip to the workload: N150 for portable, efficient, single-thread-centric use; G4560 for desktop builds requiring multi-core endurance and upgradeability.