Core i3-4100M vs Pentium Silver N5030

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013

Pentium Silver N5030

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4100M

2 / 4

2,531

0.0%

2,543

+0.5%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4100M is positioned at rank 114 and the Pentium Silver N5030 is on rank 671, so the Core i3-4100M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100M

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

100%

#102

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

290%

#103

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

286%

#104

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

262%

#105

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

261%

#106

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

259%

#108

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

250%

#109

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

239%

#110

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

239%

#111

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

233%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

100%

#126

Celeron N4000

MSRP: $107|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium Silver N5030

#659

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

923%

#660

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

909%

#661

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

835%

#662

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

831%

#663

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

823%

#665

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

795%

#666

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

763%

#667

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

761%

#668

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

741%

#671

Pentium Silver N5030

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Silver N5030 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-4100M	Pentium Silver N5030
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-4100M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-4100M	Pentium Silver N5030
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-4100M Benchmark Check

Pentium Silver N5030 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4100M and Pentium Silver N5030

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.

⚡

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

🧠

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	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

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.