Intel Celeron N4100 vs Intel Processor N250
Intel Celeron N4100
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The Intel Celeron N4100 is a quad-core SoC primarily for inexpensive notebooks and was announced late 2017. It runs at 1.1-2.4 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi Core Burst max 2.3 GHz) and is based on the Gemini Lake platform. Similar to the Apollo Lake predecessor, the chip is manufactured on a 14 nm process with FinFETs but offers slightly improved processor cores, double the amount of L2 cache, a smaller package, a new generation of monitor outputs (Gen 10) and a partly integrated WiFi chip. Besides four CPU cores, the chip also includes a DirectX 12 capable GPU as well as a DDR4/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual-channel, up to 2400 MHz). The SoC is not replaceable as it is permanently soldered to the mainboard.
Architecture
The processor architecture was slightly reworked and is now called Goldmont Plus. It features an increased Level 2 cache (to 4 MB). That means the per-clock-performance should be a bit better, but not near the Core CPUs like Kaby Lake Y.
Performance
The average N4100 in our database directly competes with AMD's 3020e and 3050e, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. The Intel Core m3-8100Y and the Celeron 6305 are close nearby as well. Routinely described as "entry-level" in 2019 and 2020, the Celeron N4100 is a slow processor that is good for the most basic tasks only such as Web browsing with no more than two or three tabs open at a time.
The LapBook Pro is among the fastest systems built around the N4100 that we know of. It can be around 50% faster in CPU-bound workloads than the slowest system featuring the same chip in our database, as of August 2023.
Graphics
The UHD Graphics 600 (Gemini Lake) is based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which supports DirectX 12 and is also used for the Kaby Lake / Skylake / Apollo Lake graphics adapters (like HD Graphics 520). Equipped with 12 EUs and a clock of up to 700 MHz, the performance should be roughly on par with the older HD Graphics 500 (Apollo Lake).
The chip also includes an advanced video engine with hardware support for the playback of VP9 and H.265 material (8-bit color-depth).
Power Consumption
Celeron N4100 has a default TDP of 6 W (also known as PL1), making it a great option for passively cooled setups.
The fairly old 14 nm process this Celeron is built with makes for so-so, as of mid-2022, energy efficiency.
Intel Processor N250
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The Intel Processor N250 is a mobile processor of the Twin Lake family which is mostly identical to Alder Lake-N, an architecture that will turn 4 in H2 2025. The chip is meant for entry-level laptops, tablets and mini PCs with no fans; it offers 4 Efficient (Gracemont) cores that run at up to 3.8 GHz, but no Performance cores. Compared to the N350, the N250 has a half as many CPU cores, resulting in a very significant (over 30%) performance loss. The iGPU is slightly slower here, too.
Gracemont E-cores do not support Hyper-Threading. No extra threads here.
Performance
Its multi-thread performance should be a few percentage points higher than older dual-core CPUs like the Core i3-10110U. Exact figures depend on the cooling solution and TDP settings of the system. Either way, this is a pretty slow chip that is only just fast enough for basic tasks.
Graphics
The SoC comes equipped with a Xe-architecture graphics unit with 32 EUs (Execution Units) running at up to 1.25 GHz. The iGPU can drive up to 3 UHD 2160p monitors and hardware-decodes AV1 among other popular video codecs. Due to the low number of Xe cores and the single-channel RAM restriction, gaming performance is only good enough for older games and fairly low resolutions. GTA V should be playable at 720p on Medium.
Architecture and Features
The integrated memory controller supports single-channel DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 and LPDDR5-4800 RAM. PCIe NVMe SSD speeds are capped at 3.9 GB/s, corresponding to the PCIe 3 spec. There is no Thunderbolt / USB 4 support here, however, the latest Intel CNVi Wi-Fi 7 wireless networking modules are supported.
Its L3 cache is relatively small at 6 MB, and it has no proper NPU (and thus no Copilot+ branding).
Power consumption
The N250 is supposed to consume 6 watts when under longer loads. This is the Intel-recommended PL1 for the chip. No data on PL2 has been provided but values higher than 15 W are unlikely.
The SoC is manufactured using the second-generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 meaning power efficiency isn't great here compared to the latest 3 nm silicon from the likes of Apple.
| Model | Intel Celeron N4100 | Intel Processor N250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Codename | Gemini Lake | Twin Lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series | Intel Gemini Lake | Intel Alder Lake-N | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series: Alder Lake-N Twin Lake |
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| Clock | 1100 - 2400 MHz | <=3800 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 2 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 4 x 3.8 GHz Intel Gracemont E-Core | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDP | 6 Watt | 6 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 14 nm | 10 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| max. Temp. | 105 °C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socket | BGA1090 | BGA1264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Features | DDR4-2400/LPDDR4-2400 RAM, PCIe 2, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, VMX, SMEP, SMAP, MPX, EIST, TM1, TM2, Turbo, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SGX | DDR4-3200/DDR5-4800/LPDDR5-4800 RAM (sin. chan.), PCIe 3, GNA, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, VMX, SMEP, SMAP, EIST, TM1, TM2, Turbo, SST, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 600 (200 - 700 MHz) | Intel UHD Graphics 32EUs (Alder Lake) (1250 MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Architecture | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $107 U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | www.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L1 Cache | 192 KB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| L3 Cache | 6 MB |
Benchmarks
Average Benchmarks Intel Celeron N4100 → 100% n=2
Average Benchmarks Intel Processor N250 → 222% n=2
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation
