Pentium Silver N5030 vs Core i3-4100M

Pentium Silver N5030

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2019

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium Silver N5030

4 / 4

2,543

+0.5%

2,531

0.0%

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 Pentium Silver N5030 is positioned at rank 671 and the Core i3-4100M is on rank 114, so the Core i3-4100M 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 Pentium Silver N5030

#659

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

923%

#660

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

909%

#661

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

835%

#662

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

831%

#663

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

823%

#665

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

795%

#666

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

763%

#667

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

761%

#668

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

741%

#671

Pentium Silver N5030

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100M

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

100%

#102

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

290%

#103

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

286%

#104

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

262%

#105

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

261%

#106

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

259%

#108

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

250%

#109

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

239%

#110

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

239%

#111

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

233%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

100%

#126

Celeron N4000

MSRP: $107|Avg: $30

97%

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 Pentium Silver N5030 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Silver N5030	Core i3-4100M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-4100M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Silver N5030	Core i3-4100M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)

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.

Pentium Silver N5030 Benchmark Check

Core i3-4100M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Silver N5030 and Core i3-4100M

Pentium Silver N5030

The Pentium Silver N5030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,543 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Silver N5030 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4100M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5030 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5030 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N5030 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pentium Silver N5030 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-4100M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Silver N5030 scores 2,543 against the Core i3-4100M's 2,531 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Silver N5030. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Silver N5030 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M.

Feature	Pentium Silver N5030	Core i3-4100M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+127%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,543	2,531

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Silver N5030 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4100M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Silver N5030	Core i3-4100M
Socket	FCBGA1090	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Silver N5030) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Pentium Silver N5030 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.