Core i3-8130U vs Core i7-975
Core i3-8130U
Core i7-975
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i3-8130U is positioned at rank 1024 and the Core i7-975 is on rank 1084, so the Core i3-8130U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8130U
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-975
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-8130U | Core i7-975 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-8130U | Core i7-975 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-8130U and Core i7-975
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.
Core i7-975
The Core i7-975 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,527 points. Launch price was $476.
Processing Power
The Core i3-8130U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-975 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-975 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-8130U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-975 — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-975 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i3-8130U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-975 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8130U scores 3,521 against the Core i7-975's 3,527 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-975. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8130U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-975.
| Feature | Core i3-8130U | Core i7-975 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.33 GHz+51% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,521 | 3,527 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,050 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-8130U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-975 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-8130U | Core i7-975 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8130U) / not specified (Core i7-975). The Core i3-8130U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-975 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8130U rivals Ryzen 3 2200U.
| Feature | Core i3-8130U | Core i7-975 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 620 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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