Intel Core i3-4158U

The Intel Core i3-4158U is a mobile processor from the Haswell generation, built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 118 mm². It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and no boost clock, paired with a 3 MB shared L3 cache and 64 KB L1 plus 256 KB L2 per core. Its integrated graphics are the Intel HD 5100, and it targets the mobile segment with a 28 W TDP. Benchmark data places this chip at the 12th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 561, indicating a low-end positioning even for its era.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Core i3-4158U’s benchmark results reveal a significant gap between its single-thread and multi-thread capabilities, though both are modest in absolute terms. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 230, while the multi-core score reaches 1632, yielding a ratio of roughly 7.1x — this is far higher than the typical 3-4x scaling seen on desktop processors, which suggests the dual-core design with Hyper-Threading is heavily leveraged in multi-threaded workloads but the per-core performance is quite limited. The R20 results echo this pattern: single-core scores 96, while multi-core hits 685, a 7.1x multiplier again, confirming that the architecture scales efficiently across its four threads but each individual core is weak.

This behavior implies that for real workloads, the chip will struggle with single-threaded tasks that dominate everyday responsiveness — such as web browsing, office document editing, or older application logic — because the single-core score of 230 in R23 places it near the bottom of modern rankings. Conversely, multi-threaded tasks like video encoding or rendering may see better relative performance, as the 685 multi-core score in R20 is more than seven times the single-core figure, suggesting the scheduler and OS can keep all threads busy. However, the absolute scores remain low; the R15 multi-core score of 164 and R20 multi-core of 685 indicate that even with perfect scaling, the chip cannot compete with even entry-level desktop parts from the same era.

The lack of a boost clock is critical here — the base clock of 2000.00 MHz is fixed, so there is no transient single-thread speedup to improve latency-sensitive tasks. This means the single-thread deficit is persistent, not just a peak limitation. For mixed workloads, the data suggests the processor will feel sluggish in interactive scenarios but might surprise in batch processing where all four threads are saturated, though the low overall percentile (12th) tempers any enthusiasm.

How It Compares

Against the AMD Opteron 3320 EE, the Core i3-4158U is exactly matched — both have an average benchmark score of 561, with a deltaPct of 0. This is a rare parity situation, but the Opteron is a server-oriented part with different power characteristics, while the i3-4158U is a mobile chip, so the equal scores mask distinct design goals.

The AMD PRO A6-8570 is a near-twin in performance, trailing by just 0.2% with an average score of 560. This negligible difference means that in practical terms, the two processors are interchangeable in benchmark results, though the A6-8570 is a desktop APU with integrated graphics of its own, while the i3-4158U’s HD 5100 may differ in GPU capabilities — but the CPU scores alone show no clear winner.

The Intel Core i5-560M comes in 0.3% behind, with an average score of 559. This is striking because the i5-560M is an older Arrandale-era chip, yet it nearly matches the newer Haswell i3-4158U, highlighting that generational gains at this low end were minimal. The i5-560M also has a higher TDP class, but the benchmark data shows the i3-4158U barely edges it out.

The Intel Core i5-3439Y is the only rival that outperforms the i3-4158U, with an average score of 563 and a deltaPct of -0.4% (meaning the i3-4158U is 0.4% slower). The i5-3439Y is another mobile chip, and the small margin suggests that both are constrained by similar thermal and power envelopes, with the i5-3439Y having a slight edge in aggregate performance.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 561 places the Core i3-4158U in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals, all within a 0.4% band. The data shows the chip is essentially tied with the AMD Opteron 3320 EE (561 vs 561, 0% delta), a server part, and only 0.2% ahead of the AMD PRO A6-8570 (560). This parity is remarkable given the different market segments — the Opteron is designed for low-power servers, while the i3-4158U targets ultra-thin laptops — but the benchmark scores reflect similar computational throughput.

Looking at the Cinebench results in detail, the multi-core R23 score of 1632 is 7.1x the single-core score of 230, which is a strong scaling ratio. However, this ratio is a double-edged sword: it indicates the multi-threaded implementation is efficient, but the absolute single-core number is so low that even 7.1x scaling yields a modest 1632. In R20, the multi-core score of 685 is again 7.1x the single-core 96, confirming this pattern. The R15 multi-core score of 164 is the oldest test and shows the chip’s historical baseline, which aligns with its 2013 release period.

When comparing to rivals, the exact deltas are tiny: 0% vs the Opteron, 0.2% ahead of the A6-8570, 0.3% ahead of the i5-560M, and 0.4% behind the i5-3439Y. These differences are within noise margins, meaning that in any real workload, the user would not perceive a difference between these processors. The percentile ranking at 12th reinforces that this chip sits in the bottom tier of all CPUs ever benchmarked, which is consistent with its dual-core, low-clock design.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i3-4158U perform in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 230, and the R20 single-core score is 96, both of which are very low compared to modern processors. This indicates weak per-core performance, which will impact daily responsiveness.

Q: What is the multi-threaded performance like?

A: The R23 multi-core score is 1632, and the R20 multi-core is 685, showing a 7.1x scaling over single-core results. This means the chip uses its 4 threads efficiently, but the absolute scores are still modest.

Q: How does it compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Opteron 3320 EE?

A: The two processors have identical average benchmark scores of 561, with a deltaPct of 0, meaning they are performance equals in these tests.

Q: Is the Core i3-4158U faster than the Intel Core i5-560M?

A: Yes, but only slightly — the i3-4158U has an average score of 561 versus the i5-560M’s 559, a 0.3% advantage that is negligible in practice.

Q: What does the 12th percentile ranking indicate?

A: It means the Core i3-4158U performs better than only 12% of all CPUs in the benchmark database, confirming its low-end status.

Q: Does the chip support boost clocks?

A: No, the base clock is 2000.00 MHz with no boost clock listed, so the processor runs at a fixed frequency under all conditions.

Power and Thermals

The Core i3-4158U has a TDP of 28 W, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor designed for thin-and-light laptops. This TDP is higher than ultra-low-voltage parts (which often sit below 15 W) but lower than standard mobile quad-cores, suggesting a balance between performance and portability. The 28 W envelope implies that a capable air cooler with a small fan or even a passive heatpipe solution could manage thermals, as the 22 nm process and dual-core design generate limited heat under load.

Given the lack of a boost clock, the power draw is likely steady rather than spiky, which simplifies thermal design — there are no sudden frequency bursts that require thermal headroom. The integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics also share this thermal budget, meaning that gaming or GPU-intensive tasks will increase total system heat, but the CPU portion remains within the 28 W TDP. For a benchmark database perspective, this TDP class suggests the chip is suitable for entry-level ultrabooks or compact desktops, where sustained load performance is not a priority, but battery life and low fan noise are.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i3-4158U uses the Intel BGA 1168 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform — the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard. This means there is no upgrade path for the CPU itself, so users must replace the entire system to improve performance. The architecture is Haswell, and the memory support is limited to DDR3, with no ECC memory support, which aligns with its consumer mobile focus.

PCIe support is not specified in the data, so the number of lanes and version cannot be stated, but the Haswell generation typically integrated PCIe 3.0 for discrete GPUs; however, without data, this remains qualitative. The 3 MB shared L3 cache and 22 nm process are consistent with Haswell mobile designs, and the integrated graphics (Intel HD 5100) provide basic display output. The release date of 2013-06-03 places it in the early Haswell refresh, meaning it supports DDR3 memory modules commonly found in laptops of that era. For a user today, the platform is obsolete, with no modern connectivity features, but the data shows it was a mid-low tier option at launch, not a flagship.

Who Should Consider It

Based on the benchmark scores, the Core i3-4158U is only suitable for basic computing tasks where performance is not critical. For gaming, the single-core R23 score of 230 and multi-core of 1632 indicate that even light titles from a decade ago would struggle, and modern games would be unplayable — the integrated HD 5100 is not designed for 3D workloads, and the CPU’s low percentile (12th) confirms this. Users who play games should avoid this chip entirely.

For creation workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, the multi-core scaling is efficient, but the absolute R20 multi-core score of 685 is far below any usable threshold — a single render frame could take minutes. The R15 multi-core of 164 further illustrates the limitation. Office productivity, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and email, is the only realistic use case, as these tasks are lightly threaded and the fixed 2000.00 MHz clock may handle them with occasional lag, but the single-core score of 96 in R20 suggests even this could be sluggish with modern, feature-rich applications.

The data supports a narrow recommendation: this is a chip for legacy systems running lightweight operating systems or for basic web browsing on an old laptop, not for any demanding workload. Its parity with rivals like the Opteron 3320 EE (561 vs 561) shows that it is not uniquely bad, but it is firmly in the bottom tier, and any modern processor would be a significant upgrade.