CPU Comparison
Apple M1 vs Intel Core i3-1125G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M1 is an 8-core ARM-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) that marked Apple’s transition from Intel to its own Apple Silicon for the Mac, combining four high‑performance and four efficiency cores, an 8‑core integrated GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine on a 5 nm process.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very responsive for everyday tasks, Xcode builds, and light creative work; benefits from fast single‑core and SSD, but heavy multi‑thread workloads are constrained by 8 threads.
Four cores handle office suites, video conferencing, and moderate multitasking with ease.
Gaming
Competent for 1080p gaming in macOS and via Rosetta 2 for many titles, but the 8‑core GPU and 8–16 GB memory limit modern AAA performance and resolution scaling.
The Iris Xe GPU can handle e-sports titles like League of Legends and CS:GO at 1080p low, but it is not meant for modern AAA gaming.
Virtualization
Capable for a couple of light VMs, but not ideal for large parallel VM farms due to core count and memory ceiling.
Can run a single lightweight virtual machine or Docker containers, but 8 threads limit heavy virtualization.
Efficiency
Outstanding performance per watt; MacBook Air and 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1 delivered dramatically better battery life and lower heat than comparable Intel Macs.
Excellent power efficiency when paired with LPDDR4X memory, allowing for long battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16‑core Neural Engine accelerates Core ML models
- CPU and GPU also provide ML accelerators for framework‑level ops
- Not designed for large‑scale training or server‑side inference
- No dedicated NPU
- DLBoost provides some AI inference acceleration but is largely superseded by modern standards
Content Creation
Gaming
- 8‑core GPU comparable to low‑end discrete GPUs of its era in some Metal titles
- Rosetta 2 adds overhead for x86 games; some titles have compatibility or performance quirks
- 16 GB memory limit and 8 GPU cores cap texture resolutions and frame rates in modern AAA games
- Playable frame rates in older e-sports titles at 1080p low settings
- Not suitable for modern AAA games
- Performance varies heavily based on laptop cooling and cTDP settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single‑thread performance and responsiveness
- Outstanding performance per watt and battery life
- Integrated GPU much faster than old Intel UHD/Iris in Macs
- Unified memory simplifies development and improves efficiency
- Silent, fanless operation in MacBook Air and Mac mini under light loads
- Strong on‑device ML inference via Neural Engine
Cons
- Only 8 CPU threads; heavy multi‑thread workloads can hit a ceiling
- Max 16 GB unified memory; not user‑upgradeable
- No eGPU support and limited PCIe expansion
- Rosetta 2 translation layer for some x86 apps; not all software is native
- Newer M2/M3 chips and modern x86 CPUs offer more cores, higher clocks, and better GPU performance
Pros
- 4 cores and 8 threads provide solid multitasking capability
- Iris Xe-LP graphics are highly capable for integrated silicon
- Configurable TDP allows balance between battery life and performance
- Supports both DDR4 and power-efficient LPDDR4X
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage
Cons
- Now end-of-life and superseded by 12th-gen parts
- Single-thread performance is lower than newer Alder Lake chips
- No hybrid core architecture like subsequent generations
- 28 W PL2 is relatively low for sustained performance bursts
- Only 8 threads limit heavy professional workloads
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Performance Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High‑Performance Laptop
- Alt
Same platform with ~18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and support for up to 24 GB unified memory.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
More CPU/GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth for heavier creative workloads.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Modern x86 laptop CPU with higher multi‑thread performance and DDR5 memory.
Higher core count and better sustained multi‑thread performance in thin laptops.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Newer architecture with better GPU and CPU performance per watt and improved media engines.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-1125G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5400URival
Mainstream Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Premium Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
ARM Premium Laptop
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2Rival
Always Connected PC
The direct 12th-gen successor featuring hybrid P-cores and E-cores for much better multi-threaded performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5700UAlt
An 8-core option for users needing maximum battery life and multi-core performance in a thin laptop.
Our Verdict on Each
A landmark chip that delivered class‑leading efficiency and single‑thread speed for thin laptops, still very capable for most users but increasingly outdated compared to M2/M3 and modern x86 rivals in multi‑thread and GPU workloads.
Best for: Used or refurbished M1 MacBook Air / Mac mini for general use, study, or light creative work at a low price
Read the full reviewThe i3-1125G4 was an excellent mainstream mobile processor in 2021, bringing 4 cores and 8 threads to the i3 laptop tier alongside a significant iGPU upgrade, though it has since been surpassed by 12th-gen parts.
Best for: You should only consider buying a laptop with the i3-1125G4 today if it is being offered at a significant, heavily discounted clearance price. At launch, it was a fantastic chip for students and office workers, offering enough power for daily tasks and capable integrated graphics. However, as an end-of-life product, paying standard retail pricing for it is unwise. The newer 12th-generation i3-1215U offers hybrid P-cores and E-cores for similar money, providing much better performance and longevity. If you find a used 1125G4 laptop incredibly cheap, it remains a perfectly viable machine for web browsing and document editing.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 or Intel Core i3-1125G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M1 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 or Intel Core i3-1125G4?
For gaming, the Apple M1 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 and Intel Core i3-1125G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-1125G4 (15 W).
Do Apple M1 and Intel Core i3-1125G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1: On-package (BGA-style, not user-replaceable), Intel Core i3-1125G4: BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 (8 cores), Intel Core i3-1125G4 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 (7,404), Intel Core i3-1125G4 (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.