CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1035G1 vs Intel Core i5-8350U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1035G1 is a mainstream mobile processor introduced in August 2019 as part of the 10th Generation Ice Lake-U lineup. Fabricated on Intel's 10nm process, it features four cores and eight threads, utilizing the Sunny Cove microarchitecture to deliver substantial instruction-per-clock improvements over older generations. Operating at a 15-watt TDP, it is designed for thin-and-light laptops where balancing performance and battery life is crucial. Unlike its G4 and G7 siblings, the G1 variant integrates Intel UHD Graphics, offering solid multimedia capabilities but lacking the enhanced graphical horsepower of the Iris Plus series. It supports LPDDR4 memory up to 3733 MT/s and features PCIe Gen 3 connectivity. With a base clock of 1.0 GHz and boosting up to 3.6 GHz, this chip serves as a reliable workhorse for everyday productivity, web browsing, and media consumption in budget-friendly to mid-range portable computing devices.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks, browsing, and light coding efficiently.
Highly capable for office suites, heavy browsing, and daily multitasking.
Gaming
The UHD graphics with only 32 EUs are not suitable for modern gaming.
Limited to very light or older games due to basic UHD 620 graphics.
Virtualization
Can run light virtual machines but limited by core count.
Can handle light VMs for development, but limited by thermal constraints.
Efficiency
10nm process ensures good battery life in 15W configurations.
Mature 14nm process offers excellent battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks DL Boost instructions found in higher-end models
- Limited to basic CPU-based AI tasks
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Relies on CPU AVX2 instructions
Content Creation
Gaming
- Only 32 Execution Units (UHD Graphics)
- Struggles with modern 3D games
- Suitable only for 2D or very old games
- Relies on Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Only suitable for 2D or highly optimized older games
- Lacks hardware support for modern DirectX 12 Ultimate features
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good everyday CPU performance
- 10nm process for good efficiency
- Supports fast LPDDR4X memory
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support
- Cost-effective solution for OEMs
Cons
- Only 32 EUs (UHD Graphics)
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to the motherboard
- Outclassed by newer 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen 5000 chips
Pros
- Reliable quad-core performance for everyday tasks
- High boost clock of 3.6 GHz
- Good multitasking with 8 threads
- Wide compatibility with DDR4 and LPDDR3
Cons
- Built on aging 14nm process
- Weak integrated graphics
- No support for PCIe 4.0
- Quickly overshadowed by Whiskey Lake
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1035G1
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10210URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1065G7Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550HRival
Mobile
Tiger Lake successor with much better graphics and IPC.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Offers significantly better multi-core and graphics performance.
Modern Alder Lake alternative with vastly superior performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Budget alternative with competitive graphics.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Higher tier alternative if sticking to Intel 11th Gen.
Intel Core i5-8350U
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8550URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8250URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-7200URival
Mobile
Better turbo frequencies on Whiskey Lake.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
More cores and better Vega graphics.
- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Cheaper alternative for basic tasks.
- Alt
Vastly superior battery life and performance.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Budget-friendly with modern Vega graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid 10nm processor that brings Sunny Cove architecture to the mainstream, though the lack of Iris Plus graphics limits its creative potential.
Best for: Buying a discounted used laptop for basic productivity and student work.
Read the full reviewA solid quad-core low-power processor that brought significant multi-threaded gains to ultrabooks, though its integrated graphics remain a limiting factor.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used business laptop for basic office work.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1035G1 or Intel Core i5-8350U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1035G1 comes out ahead with a score of 7.8/10. 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, Intel Core i5-1035G1 or Intel Core i5-8350U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1035G1 leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i5-1035G1 and Intel Core i5-8350U.
Do Intel Core i5-1035G1 and Intel Core i5-8350U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1035G1: Intel BGA 1526, Intel Core i5-8350U: Intel BGA 1356), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1035G1 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1035G1 (7,500), Intel Core i5-8350U (6,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.