CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1035G4 vs Intel Core i3-1000G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1035G4 is a mid-tier mobile processor launched in August 2019 as part of the 10th Gen Ice Lake-U family. Built on Intel's 10nm process, it utilizes the Sunny Cove microarchitecture and features four cores and eight threads, making it well-suited for multitasking and everyday productivity. With a base clock of 1.1 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 3.7 GHz, it offers responsive performance in thin-and-light laptops. The processor operates at a 15-watt TDP, balancing power consumption and thermal output. A defining characteristic of the G4 variant is its inclusion of Intel Iris Plus graphics with 48 execution units, sitting between the lower-end UHD graphics and the higher-end 64-EU Iris Plus. This makes it capable of smooth 4K media playback and casual gaming. With support for LPDDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, the i5-1035G4 provides a versatile foundation for portable computing devices requiring a step up in graphical performance.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Strong single and multi-core performance for daily office work and multitasking.
Basic office tasks run fine, but the 2-core CPU will choke on heavy Excel sheets or multiple browser tabs.
Gaming
The 48-EU graphics can handle older games and e-sports titles at lower settings.
The 48EU Iris Plus can actually run older e-sports titles like CS:GO or League of Legends at 720p/1080p low, a novelty for a 9W chip.
Virtualization
Adequate for light VMs, though limited by 4 cores.
Virtually impossible to run useful virtual machines on 2 cores and a 9W power limit.
Efficiency
10nm process ensures good battery life in standard 15W configurations.
Outstanding efficiency that allows for all-day battery life in premium ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks DL Boost found in higher-end models
- Capable of basic AI inference
- DLBoost provides basic AI acceleration, but the 2-core CPU limits practical applications
Content Creation
Gaming
- 48 Execution Units provide decent graphical headroom
- Can run CS:GO and Valorant smoothly
- Not suitable for modern AAA games at high settings
- Can handle older e-sports titles at low settings thanks to the 48EU GPU
- The 2-core CPU will bottleneck heavily in any CPU-intensive game scene
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Iris Plus graphics with 48 EUs
- Good single-thread performance
- 10nm power efficiency
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support
- Decent casual gaming capability
Cons
- Not as graphically powerful as the G7 variant
- Soldered to motherboard
- Outperformed by newer AMD and Intel chips
- Can thermal throttle under heavy load in thin laptops
Pros
- 48EU Iris Plus graphics are surprisingly capable for a 9W chip
- True fanless operation is possible, resulting in zero noise
- 10nm process provides excellent idle battery life
- Can drive multiple 4K external displays
- Supports hardware-accelerated video encoding
Cons
- Only 2 CPU cores make modern Windows 11 feel incredibly sluggish
- Base clock of 1.1 GHz is too low for snappy UI responsiveness
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Completely obsolete for any modern productivity workflow
- Soldered RAM and CPU mean no upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1035G4
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3750HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1035G1Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1065G7Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mobile
Tiger Lake successor with significantly better graphics and IPC.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Better efficiency and multi-core performance.
Modern alternative with vastly superior multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 4700UAlt
Stronger multi-core alternative in the same category.
Higher graphical performance alternative (64 EUs).
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-1000G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1000G1Rival
Lower-Tier Ice Lake-Y
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1035G4Rival
Higher-Tier Ice Lake-U
- Apple A12Z BionicRival
Tablet/ARM
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
A modern 6-core Windows laptop CPU that offers vastly superior multitasking.
- Intel N100Alt
For low-power tasks, this modern chip offers 4 efficiency cores and better performance.
A modern 10-core (2P+8E) Alder Lake chip that redefines low-power laptop performance.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
If open to macOS, the efficiency and performance gap is monumental.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A balanced mobile processor that combines Sunny Cove architecture with 48-EU Iris Plus graphics, offering a good middle ground for multimedia tasks.
Best for: Purchasing a mid-range used laptop for light creative work and media consumption.
Read the full reviewThe i3-1000G4 offered a compelling graphics upgrade over the G1 for ultra-thin Windows devices in 2019, but its 2-core CPU severely limits its usefulness today.
Best for: Consider a laptop with the i3-1000G4 only if it is being given away for free or costs under $50, and you need a disposable machine for basic word processing or playing old 2D games. The 48EU graphics are genuinely capable for legacy gaming, which might appeal to retro gamers looking for a silent, portable machine.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1035G4 or Intel Core i3-1000G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1035G4 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i5-1035G4 or Intel Core i3-1000G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1035G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-1035G4 and Intel Core i3-1000G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1000G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1035G4 (15 W), Intel Core i3-1000G4 (9 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1035G4 and Intel Core i3-1000G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1035G4: Intel BGA 1526, Intel Core i3-1000G4: BGA 1377), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1035G4 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1035G4 (4 cores), Intel Core i3-1000G4 (2 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1035G4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1035G4 (7,800), Intel Core i3-1000G4 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.