Intel Processor U301L vs NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

The Verdict

The database records two mobile processors with substantially different design goals. The Intel Processor U301L is an active, low-power, 5-core part built on Intel's 10 nm process for Socket 1700. The NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) is an unreleased 20-core part on TSMC's 3 nm node with a quad-channel LPDDR5X interface. The data shows no direct benchmark comparisons, as the head-to-head benchmark table is empty and neither part has recorded scores in the database. Both sit at the 50th percentile versus all CPUs in the database, and both have an average benchmark score of zero, meaning no performance measurements exist for either processor.

Given the absence of benchmark data, the verdict rests on architectural and specification differences. The Intel Processor U301L targets low-power mobile workloads with a 15 W TDP, six threads, and a boost clock of 2.20 GHz. The NVIDIA RTX Spark targets higher throughput with 20 cores, 20 threads, a 4.00 GHz boost clock, and a 38 W TDP. Users seeking a low-power, actively produced processor with an established socket should consider the Intel part. Users prioritizing core count, clock speed, and memory bandwidth should consider the NVIDIA part, provided they accept its unreleased status and lack of socket compatibility. The recorded data offers no measured performance to settle the comparison, so the decision rests entirely on the listed specifications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table contains no entries. The winsA and winsB fields are both zero, confirming that neither processor has a recorded victory in any benchmark category. The average benchmark score for both parts is zero, and the percentile versus all CPUs is identical at 50 for each. This means the database holds no measured performance data for either the Intel Processor U301L or the NVIDIA RTX Spark. The absence of scores prevents any quantitative comparison of compute performance, memory latency, or power efficiency. The only meaningful head-to-head analysis derives from the clock speed, core count, and memory interface differences recorded in the specification fields.

The NVIDIA RTX Spark shows a boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for the Intel Processor U301L. The base clock also differs: 1.70 GHz for the NVIDIA part versus 1.20 GHz for the Intel part. The core count difference is substantial: 20 cores for the NVIDIA part versus 5 cores for the Intel part. Thread counts follow suit at 20 versus 6. The memory bus width favors the NVIDIA part with a quad-channel interface and a recorded bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s, while the Intel part uses dual-channel memory with no recorded bandwidth figure. These are the largest wins in the data, though they are specification wins rather than measured benchmark wins.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Processor U301L uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-PS codename, belonging to the Intel Processor (Raptor Lake) generation. It is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The NVIDIA RTX Spark uses the N1X codename under the Spark (GB10) generation, fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process. The die size for the NVIDIA part is recorded as 208 mm², while the Intel part has no die size listed. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm, representing a generation gap in manufacturing technology.

Cache layouts differ between the two parts. The Intel Processor U301L has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The NVIDIA RTX Spark has 128 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and also 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache size is identical at 8 MB, but the per-core L1 and L2 allocations are larger on the NVIDIA part. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 64EU, while the NVIDIA part uses the GB20B "Blackwell" integrated graphics. Neither part supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The Intel Processor U301L has a TDP of 15 W, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark has a TDP of 38 W. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700, while the NVIDIA part has no socket listed, indicating a likely soldered or proprietary mounting. The Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The NVIDIA part supports LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration with a recorded bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The Intel part has PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the NVIDIA part has no PCIe support listed (N/A).

The release dates differ substantially: the Intel Processor U301L was released on 2024-04-07, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark is listed as unreleased with a release date of 2025-12-31. The production status reflects this: the Intel part is active, while the NVIDIA part is unreleased. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $107, while the NVIDIA part has no launch MSRP recorded. The part numbers also differ: SRPKFQ5CW for Intel and GSE1-675-A1 for NVIDIA. The manufacturer field for the NVIDIA part is listed as "Unknown," despite the product name referencing NVIDIA and MediaTek. The Intel part's manufacturer is Intel.

The process node, foundry, and die size all differ as noted in the architecture section. The market segment for both is mobile. The Intel part has 5 cores and 6 threads, while the NVIDIA part has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.20 GHz. The NVIDIA part has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The generation field differs: "Intel Processor (Raptor Lake)" for the Intel part and "Spark (GB10)" for the NVIDIA part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has 20 cores, while the Intel Processor U301L has 5 cores. The NVIDIA part also has 20 threads versus 6 threads for the Intel part.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two processors?

A: The NVIDIA RTX Spark has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Processor U301L has a boost clock of 2.20 GHz. The base clocks are 1.70 GHz and 1.20 GHz, respectively.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The Intel Processor U301L supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The NVIDIA RTX Spark supports LPDDR5X memory in a quad-channel configuration with a recorded bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP for each processor?

A: The Intel Processor U301L has a TDP of 15 W, while the NVIDIA RTX Spark has a TDP of 38 W.

Q: Which processor is currently available for purchase?

A: The Intel Processor U301L has an active production status and was released on 2024-04-07 with a launch MSRP of $107. The NVIDIA RTX Spark has an unreleased production status with a release date of 2025-12-31 and no launch MSRP recorded.

Q: What process nodes are used for each processor?

A: The Intel Processor U301L is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The NVIDIA RTX Spark is fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process, with a die size of 208 mm².