Intel Pentium G4600 vs Intel Processor N95 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison between the Intel Pentium G4600 and the Intel Processor N95 reveals a split decision across the recorded Cinebench tests, with each processor taking wins in different workload categories. The Intel Processor N95 emerges victorious in two of the three head-to-head tests, while the Intel Pentium G4600 claims a single, decisive win.

Starting with the multi-core performance in Cinebench R15, the Intel Processor N95 posts a score of 445 against the Pentium G4600's 309. This represents a 30.6% lead for the N95, a substantial margin in a rendering workload that scales with thread count and core efficiency. The N95's four physical cores, running at its base clock of 100.00 MHz (a notable figure that appears to be a placeholder for a lower idle frequency) and boost clock of 3.40 GHz, clearly outpace the older Pentium's dual-core design with Hyper-Threading in this specific test. The data shows this is the N95's largest win in the head-to-head, and it is a decisive one for multi-threaded rendering in that benchmark generation.

However, the Pentium G4600 flips the script in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Here, the Pentium G4600 scores 3070, while the Intel Processor N95 scores 2769. The G4600 wins by a 10.9% margin. This is a particularly interesting result because the N95 has a higher core count (4 vs 2) and a newer architecture. The data suggests that the G4600's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz, combined with its 51 W TDP, allows for sustained performance in the longer R23 workload, whereas the N95's 15 W TDP might be a limiting factor in this extended test. This is the G4600's only head-to-head victory, but it is a meaningful one, as Cinebench R23 is a more modern and demanding standard for multi-core rendering.

The most decisive difference comes in the single-core Cinebench R23 test. The Intel Processor N95 delivers a score of 914, which is more than double the Pentium G4600's 433. The delta is 52.6% in favor of the N95. This is a massive gap and highlights the sheer efficiency of the Gracemont architecture's single-thread performance. The N95's boost clock of 3.40 GHz, despite its low base clock, allows it to burst to a high frequency for lightly threaded tasks, completely overwhelming the Kaby Lake-based G4600 which has no boost clock. This single-core result is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison.

The average benchmark score from the database further contextualizes these results. The Intel Pentium G4600 has an average benchmark score of 1056, placing it in the 29th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2760QM with an average score of 1057 (a 0.1% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U with a score of 1058 (a 0.2% difference). The Intel Processor N95 has a slightly higher average score of 1070, also in the 29th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-2820QM with 1069 (0.1% leader) and the AMD Opteron 3380 with 1071 (-0.1%). In terms of the overall average score, the N95 is a marginal 1.3% ahead, but the individual test data shows a far more nuanced performance picture.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark, reflecting a six-year gap in development and different design goals. The Intel Pentium G4600 is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to handle 4 concurrent tasks. The N95, in contrast, uses the newer Gracemont architecture, which is the efficiency core design used in Alder Lake-N processors. It is fabricated on a 10nm process node and is a mobile segment design. The N95 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, using a pure efficiency-core design without Hyper-Threading.

The cache structures differ significantly. The Pentium G4600 has a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 256 KB, with a shared 3 MB L3 cache. The N95 has a larger per-core L1 cache of 96 KB, but its L2 cache is shared at 2 MB, and its L3 cache is also shared at 6 MB. This larger shared L3 cache on the N95 is a major advantage for workloads that share data between cores, such as gaming or multitasking, as it reduces latency for frequently accessed data.

The memory support also diverges. The Pentium G4600 supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but it operates on a single-channel bus. Despite the newer memory type support, the single-channel bus gives the N95 a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, the same as the G4600's dual-channel DDR4 configuration. This is a key point, as the N95's single-channel memory can be a bottleneck in certain memory-intensive applications, even though it supports faster DDR5 modules.

The power envelope and platform differ entirely. The G4600 is a desktop processor with a 51 W TDP, socketed in Intel Socket 1151, and features a Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes. The N95 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, soldered to Intel BGA 1264, and has only 9 Gen 3 PCIe lanes. The G4600's reeleased in early 2017, while the N95 was released in early 2023. The integrated graphics are also different generations: the G4600 features Intel HD 630, while the N95 has UHD Graphics 710. Both lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N95 is a clear winner in single-threaded tasks and in certain multi-threaded rendering workloads. The 52.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it the superior choice for everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and applications that rely on a single primary thread. Its performance in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it beats the G4600 by 30.6%, also shows that for older multi-threaded applications, the N95's 4 cores are more effective than the G4600's 2 cores with Hyper-Threading. With a 15 W TDP, it is also significantly more power-efficient, making it suited for compact, passively cooled systems or laptops where thermal headroom is limited. Its 6 MB L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory are additional advantages for a system builder looking for a modern feature set.

The Intel Pentium G4600 wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, outsing the N95 by 10.9%. This indicates that for sustained multi-core rendering workloads in modern benchmarks, the G4600's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and its dual-channel memory bus can provide more consistent performance than the N95's lower base clock and single-channel memory. The G4600's 51 W TDP allows for a more aggressive power delivery, which can prevent thermal throttling in a desktop chassis with a capable air cooler. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also offer more expansion options for desktop users who need multiple add-in cards. For desktop builds where a high base clock is preferred for snappier response, the G4600 remains a solid choice.

The average benchmark scores show that neither processor is a performance king, as both sit in the 29th percentile of all CPUs. The N95 edges out a slightly higher average score (1070 vs 1056), but the G4600's win in the more recent Cinebench R23 multi-core test suggests that its performance is more competitive in modern, long-duration workloads than its lower single-core score might imply.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N95 is significantly faster in single-core tasks. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, it scores 914, which is 52.6% higher than the Intel Pentium G4600's score of 433.

Q: Does the Intel Pentium G4600 have any wins against the N95?

A: Yes, the Intel Pentium G4600 wins in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. It scores 3070, while the Intel Processor N95 scores 2769, giving the G4600 a 10.9% lead.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Processor N95 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1070, compared to the Intel Pentium G4600's average score of 1056. Both are in the 29th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the main architectural difference in memory support?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600 supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, while the Intel Processor N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory but over a single-channel bus. Both offer the same peak memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has a larger L3 cache, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Pentium G4600 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data in this comparison points to two distinct use cases. For the Intel Pentium G4600, its win in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test signals that it remains a competent choice for desktop users who run sustained, multi-threaded workloads. Its dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also provide a more flexible platform for a traditional desktop. It is the processor to pick if the workload is primarily about long rendering sessions on a desktop.

The Intel Processor N95 is the superior choice for single-threaded performance and for older multi-threaded benchmarks. Its massive 52.6% lead in single-core Cinebench R23 makes it the better chip for daily computing, where applications often rely on one or two threads. Its 30.6% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core shows it also has more raw core throughput in less demanding multi-threaded tests. With a 15 W TDP, it is the clear winner for a highly efficient, mobile system. If the choice is between these two, the N95 is a better all-around option for general use, while the G4600 is a targeted pick for specific long-duration multi-core desktop tasks.