Core i3-7130U vs Core i3-8145UE

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 i3-7130U vs Core i3-8145UE 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 i3-7130U vs Core i3-8145UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7130U

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (900 vs 1,218).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core i3-8145UE

2018

Why buy it

✅+35.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,021 vs 4,055).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i3-7130U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8145UE better than Core i3-7130U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8145UE is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7130U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i3-8145UE 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 i3-7130U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8145UE is the better buy right now. Core i3-8145UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-7130U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8145UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7130U vs Core i3-8145UE Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7130U

The Core i3-7130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,055 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i3-8145UE

The Core i3-8145UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,021 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7130U and Core i3-8145UE share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-7130U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8145UE — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-8145UE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-7130U uses the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-8145UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7130U scores 4,055 against the Core i3-8145UE's 4,021 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-7130U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 900 vs 1,218, a 30% lead for the Core i3-8145UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7130U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8145UE.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	Core i3-8145UE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+44%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Kaby Lake-U (2017)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,055	4,021
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,356
Geekbench 6 Single	900	1,218+35%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,356

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7130U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8145UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7130U versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8145UE — the Core i3-8145UE supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-8145UE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-7130U) vs 16 (Core i3-8145UE) — the Core i3-8145UE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7130U	Core i3-8145UE
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7130U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8145UE). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7130U) and UHD 620 (Core i3-8145UE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7130U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i3-8145UE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-7130U rivals Ryzen 3 3250U; Core i3-8145UE rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.