Core i3-1000NG4 vs Core i3-8130U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1000NG4 vs Core i3-8130U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1000NG4 vs Core i3-8130U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1000NG4

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 9W instead of 15W, a 6W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-8130U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8130U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-8130U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Core i3-1000NG4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,521 vs 3,530).
❌66.7% higher power demand at 15W vs 9W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1000NG4 better than Core i3-8130U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8130U is ahead with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1000NG4 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1000NG4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1000NG4 still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-1000NG4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1000NG4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1000NG4 vs Core i3-8130U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1000NG4

The Core i3-1000NG4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 March 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1044. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 3,530 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-8130U

The Core i3-8130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,521 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-1000NG4 and Core i3-8130U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-1000NG4 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-8130U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-8130U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-1000NG4 uses the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-8130U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1000NG4 scores 3,530 against the Core i3-8130U's 3,521 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-1000NG4. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-1000NG4	Core i3-8130U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.2 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-Y (2020)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,530	3,521
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,050

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1000NG4 uses the BGA1044 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8130U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1000NG4	Core i3-8130U
Socket	BGA1044	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-1000NG4) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8130U). The Core i3-8130U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i3-1000NG4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8130U rivals Ryzen 3 2200U.