Intel Core i3-4130T socket: LGA 1150

What the Core i3-4130T is

Intel Core i3-4130T is a dual core Haswell desktop part that Intel released in September 2013 for office desktops and small systems. It uses the Haswell core design on a 22 nm process, running at 2.9 GHz with no turbo. The cache is 3 MB Smart Cache. Power is 35 W. Graphics come from Intel HD Graphics 4400 (200 MHz to 1150 MHz).

The cores carry Hyper-Threading for 4 threads from 2 cores. Each core keeps its own floating point unit, which keeps lightly threaded office apps responsive while background tasks use the extra threads. The chip integrates the dual channel memory controller with ECC support and 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes on die.

At 35 W the Core i3-4130T belongs to the low power T group for small cases. The fixed 2.9 GHz clock suits file, print, point of sale and classroom duty with stock cooling. Boards pair it with DDR3 DIMMs and SATA SSDs. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the socket before ordering parts.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i3-4130T fits LGA 1150 in LGA form with 1,150 lands. The chipsets built for the socket are the 8 and 9 series: H81, B85, Q85, Q87, H87, Z87, H97 and Z97. Any of them boots Haswell with a shipping BIOS. Server and workstation boards with C222 and C226 add ECC UDIMM validation where needed.

Power delivery at 35 W is modest for LGA 1150, so all desktop power designs cover it. Memory support decides more builds than power: the board manual lists qualified DIMM speeds. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide explains the 75 by 75 mm LGA 1150 pattern. Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works covers Intel pairing rules.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is ddr3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 gb, ecc. ECC UDIMMs are the server and embedded choice, since they catch single bit errors in long running tasks. Two matched modules give the rated bandwidth. There is no DDR4 option, so a move to DDR4 means leaving the socket.

PCI Express is PCIe 3.0 with 16 lanes from the CPU for graphics and fast storage, plus chipset lanes for the rest. Most builds in this class stay on integrated graphics, since Intel HD Graphics 4400 covers office work and video. A low profile card of the era pairs without waste where a slot is free.

Cooling follows the 35 W rating. A low profile cooler with a quiet fan suits the 35 W envelope in slim cases. The 75 by 75 mm mounting pattern is shared across LGA 1150, LGA 1155 and LGA 1156 coolers with the right brackets.

Upgrade paths

Within LGA 1150 the Core i3-4130T sits in the dual core i3 group with Hyper-Threading. A same socket move can add threads, cache or turbo, for example from a Pentium to an i3, or from a T part to a faster S part where cooling allows. The board stays, while memory and cooler often carry over.

A bigger move means a new socket with DDR4. Intel moved mainstream desktops through LGA 1200 with different pin layouts and cooler spacing. That move needs a new board, new memory and often a new cooler bracket. Keep the LGA 1150 board for secondary duty where it still runs well.