Core i3-4130 vs Core i7-6498DU

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 i3-4130 vs Core i7-6498DU 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 i3-4130 vs Core i7-6498DU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Core i7-6498DU needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6498DU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,334 vs 3,372).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i7-6498DU mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌260% higher power demand at 54W vs 15W.

Core i7-6498DU

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 54W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4130 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4130 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6498DU better than Core i3-4130?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4130 is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6498DU pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-6498DU also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6498DU is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 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?

Core i7-6498DU is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-6498DU comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. Core i3-4130 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (28.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i7-6498DU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i3-4130 vs Core i7-6498DU Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130

The Core i3-4130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,334 points. Launch price was $120.

Core i7-6498DU

The Core i7-6498DU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133, LPDDR3-1866, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,372 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4130 and Core i7-6498DU share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-4130 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6498DU — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-4130 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4130 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6498DU uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130 scores 3,334 against the Core i7-6498DU's 3,372 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-6498DU. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4130 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6498DU.

Feature	Core i3-4130	Core i7-6498DU
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,334	3,372+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,036	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,046	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-4130) / not specified (Core i7-6498DU). The Core i3-4130 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-6498DU requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130 rivals FX-4130.