Core i3-4130T vs Core i5-4278U

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 i3-4130T vs Core i5-4278U 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 i3-4130T vs Core i5-4278U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130T

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-4278U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $124 MSRP, while Core i5-4278U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4130T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,826 vs 2,876).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4130T better than Core i5-4278U?

Yes. Core i3-4130T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4130T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% 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, Core i3-4130T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4130T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4130T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $124 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4278U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4130T vs Core i5-4278U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130T

The Core i3-4130T 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,876 points. Launch price was $270.

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4130T and Core i5-4278U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-4130T versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4278U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-4130T scores 2,876 against the Core i5-4278U's 2,826 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i3-4130T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 890 vs 889, a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-4130T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4130T vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4278U.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-4278U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,876+2%	2,826
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,688
Geekbench 6 Single	890	889
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,860

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4278U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-4130T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4130T) vs 12 (Core i5-4278U) — the Core i3-4130T offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4130T) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4278U).

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-4278U
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4130T) vs true (Core i5-4278U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4130T) and Intel Iris Graphics 5100 (Core i5-4278U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130T rivals A8-7600.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core i5-4278U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	Intel Iris Graphics 5100
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	true
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—