Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711) vs Intel Processor N150

The Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711), introduced in 2019, is primarily designed for hobbyists, education, and embedded systems, where low power consumption and compactness are paramount.

It is manufactured by Broadcom using a 28 nm manufacturing process and features a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A72 architecture. This processor offers 1 MB Level 2 cache and utilizes the Broadcom VideoCore VI for graphics performance. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 13 GB/s. Power consumption is typically very low, making it ideal for continuous operation.

The Intel Processor N150, launched in early 2023, is aimed at entry-level desktops, mini-PCs, and industrial applications.

It is manufactured by Intel using a more advanced 7 nm process and is based on the Twin Lake architecture with 4 cores and 4 threads. This chip is equipped with 4 MB Level 2 cache and 6 MB Level 3 cache. The integrated graphics unit, Intel UHD Graphics with 24 EUs (Alder Lake), benefits from a maximum memory bandwidth of 38 GB/s and supports PCIe 3.0.

The typical thermal design power (TDP) is 6.5W. In terms of performance comparison, the Intel Processor N150 shows significantly higher single-core performance and also substantially higher multi-core performance, allowing it to better handle more demanding desktop applications. In gaming scenarios, the Intel Processor N150, with its Intel UHD Graphics 24 EUs (Alder Lake) and higher memory bandwidth, offers superior performance for older 3D games and casual gaming compared to the Broadcom VideoCore VI of the Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711), which is more suited for retro games and very light 2D titles.

Both processors are energy-efficient, with the Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711) often showing even lower power consumption during operation. Regarding price-performance ratio, the Raspberry Pi 4 B (Broadcom BCM2711) as a complete single-board computer offers a very cost-effective solution for specific projects, while the Intel Processor N150 is typically found in more expensive complete systems, but provides higher computing power for general PC tasks.