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 i3-4160 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 i3-4160 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 i3-4160

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8130U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,506 vs 3,521).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i3-8130U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌260% higher power demand at 54W vs 15W.

Core i3-8130U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.4% 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 i3-4160 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4160.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8130U better than Core i3-4160?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4160 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8130U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i3-8130U 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 i3-8130U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 i3-8130U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8130U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i3-4160 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (30.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8130U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014), 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 i3-4160 vs Core i3-8130U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4160

The Core i3-4160 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,506 points. Launch price was $133.

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 i3-4160 and Core i3-8130U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-4160 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-8130U — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-4160 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-4160 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-8130U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4160 scores 3,506 against the Core i3-8130U's 3,521 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-8130U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 1,050, a 4.7% lead for the Core i3-4160 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4160 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8130U.

Feature	Core i3-4160	Core i3-8130U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+64%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,506	3,521
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+5%	1,050

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4160 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8130U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4160 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8130U — the Core i3-8130U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4160) vs 12 (Core i3-8130U) — the Core i3-4160 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-4160	Core i3-8130U
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2400+50%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4160) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8130U). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4160) and UHD Graphics 620 (Core i3-8130U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4160 targets Budget Desktop, Core i3-8130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4160 rivals FX-6300; Core i3-8130U rivals Ryzen 3 2200U.

Feature	Core i3-4160	Core i3-8130U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Mainstream Laptop