Core i7-975
VS
Core i3-8130U

Core i7-975 vs Core i3-8130U

Intel

Core i7-975

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core i3-8130U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2018

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 i7-975 is positioned at rank 1084 and the Core i3-8130U is on rank 1024, so the Core i3-8130U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-975

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
88305%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
83439%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
60584%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
18251%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
14457%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
12647%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
7244%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
7149%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
6509%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
6509%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
6436%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
6262%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
6175%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
6150%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
6094%
#1084
Core i7-975
MSRP: $999|Avg: $50
100%
#1085
Athlon XP 2600+
MSRP: $98|Avg: $10
98%
#1086
Core i7-965
MSRP: $1000|Avg: $40
97%
#1087
Athlon 64 FX-74
MSRP: $499|Avg: $50
94%
#1088
Athlon 64 2000+
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
93%
#1089
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
MSRP: $505|Avg: $15
93%
#1090
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399
93%
#1091
Athlon 64 X2 5400+
MSRP: $485|Avg: $78
93%
#1092
Celeron 2.30
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
92%
#1093
Phenom X4 9450e
MSRP: $450|Avg: $430
92%
#1094
Athlon 64 X2 3800+
MSRP: $354|Avg: $20
88%
#1095
Athlon 64 3000+
MSRP: $149|Avg: $10
86%
#1096
Athlon XP 3100+
MSRP: $150|Avg: $20
80%
#1097
Athlon 64 3300+
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
74%
#1098
Athlon 64 2800+
MSRP: $178|Avg: $15
67%
#1099
Athlon 64 3700+
MSRP: $272|Avg: $20
65%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-8130U

#1012
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2342%
#1013
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2307%
#1014
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2118%
#1015
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2109%
#1016
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2089%
#1018
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2018%
#1019
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1935%
#1020
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1931%
#1021
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1879%
#1024
Core i3-8130U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1025
Core i5-4200M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#1026
Celeron 1000M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
99%
#1028
Celeron B840
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
99%
#1029
Celeron M 743
MSRP: $107|Avg: $15
99%
#1030
Core i7-3612QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
98%
#1031
Pentium 967
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
98%
#1032
Core i5-4400E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $50
98%
#1034
Pentium Dual Core T4400
MSRP: $107|Avg: $5
96%
#1037
Core i7-8665UE
MSRP: $409|Avg: $409
95%
#1038
Celeron T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
93%
#1039
Celeron Dual-Core T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $30
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-8130U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-975Core i3-8130U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-975 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i7-975Core i3-8130U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i7-975 and Core i3-8130U

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Core i7-975 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-8130U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-975 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-975 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-8130U — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-975 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-975 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-8130U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-975 scores 3,527 against the Core i3-8130U's 3,521 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-975. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-975 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8130U.

FeatureCore i7-975Core i3-8130U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz+6%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.33 GHz+51%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Bloomfield (2008−2010)
Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark
3,527
3,521
Geekbench 6 Single
1,050
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-975 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-8130U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-975Core i3-8130U
Socket
LGA1366
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-975) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8130U). 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.

FeatureCore i7-975Core i3-8130U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop