Intel Xeon D-1521 vs Intel Processor N100

The Intel Xeon D-1521, introduced in the first quarter of 2015, is designed for servers, embedded systems, and network infrastructures.

It is based on the Broadwell architecture, manufactured using a 14 nm process, and features 4 cores and 8 threads. It supports PCIe 3.0 and offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s with 6 MB of L2 cache. In single-core applications, it shows slightly higher performance in Cinebench R23, while multi-core performance in Geekbench 6 is comparable.

An integrated graphics unit for gaming is entirely absent. With a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 35 Watts, it requires active cooling. As an older specialized processor, its price-performance ratio is unfavorable for consumer applications. The Intel Processor N100, released in the first quarter of 2023, targets energy-efficient, cost-effective devices such as mini-PCs.

It utilizes the modern Alder Lake N architecture, manufactured using a 10 nm process, and is equipped with 4 cores and 4 threads. It supports PCIe 3.0, offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s, and features 4 MB of L2 and 6 MB of L3 cache. In single-core applications, especially in Geekbench 6, it shows noticeably higher performance, while multi-core performance in Geekbench 6 is comparable.

The Intel UHD Graphics 24 EUs (Alder Lake) provide basic graphics performance but are not suitable for modern games. Its extremely low Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 6 Watts enables fanless designs. It offers a good price-performance ratio and is widely available.