Core i3-4100M vs Pentium Silver N5030

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 i3-4100M vs Pentium Silver N5030 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 i3-4100M vs Pentium Silver N5030: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4100M

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Pentium Silver N5030 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,531 vs 2,543).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Pentium Silver N5030 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Pentium Silver N5030

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4100M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Silver N5030 better than Core i3-4100M?

Yes. Pentium Silver N5030 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium Silver N5030 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Silver N5030 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium Silver N5030 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Silver N5030 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4100M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Pentium Silver N5030 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i3-4100M vs Pentium Silver N5030 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

Pentium Silver N5030

The Pentium Silver N5030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,543 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4100M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver N5030 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5030 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5030 — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N5030 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i3-4100M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Silver N5030 uses Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Pentium Silver N5030's 2,543 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Silver N5030. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M vs 4 MB on the Pentium Silver N5030.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Pentium Silver N5030
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+127%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4 MB+700%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)
PassMark	2,531	2,543

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Silver N5030 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Pentium Silver N5030
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) / not specified (Pentium Silver N5030). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Pentium Silver N5030 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.