CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-1005G1 vs Intel Core i3-1115G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-1005G1 is a 15-watt Ice Lake-U mobile processor featuring two Sunny Cove cores and basic UHD graphics, launched at $281 to bring 10nm to budget-friendly ultrabooks.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Single-app use is fine, but opening multiple browser tabs alongside Office apps will cause noticeable slowdowns.
Handles word processing and spreadsheets effortlessly, but heavily multitasked office environments will expose the 2-core limitation.
Gaming
The basic UHD graphics are too weak for any meaningful gaming experience.
The Iris Xe iGPU can handle older or 2D indie games at low settings, but modern AAA titles are unplayable.
Virtualization
2 cores and 4 threads are barely enough for the host OS, let alone a virtual machine.
2 cores and 4 threads are insufficient for running anything beyond a single, very lightweight virtual machine.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for a 15W chip, allowing for 6-8 hours of real-world battery life in basic ultrabooks.
The configurable 12W-28W TDP range allows OEMs to tune it for excellent battery life in thin chassis designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost is supported but the 2-core CPU heavily limits AI workload processing
- No dedicated NPU
- AVX-512 provides some acceleration for specific vector math workloads
- Not intended for AI development or inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- The basic UHD graphics lack the power for even casual gaming
- CPU will bottleneck any game that relies on more than two threads
- Lacks the core count and GPU power for modern gaming
- Can manage basic e-sports titles like League of Legends at 720p/1080p low
- Memory bandwidth limitations heavily cap iGPU performance
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support is excellent for docking stations
- Sunny Cove architecture provides strong single-thread performance for basic tasks
- 15W TDP allows for slim, portable laptop designs
- DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory flexibility
- 10nm process was very efficient for its time
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads, which is inexcusable at its $281 MSRP
- Basic UHD graphics lack the power of the Iris Plus found on other Ice Lake chips
- No PCIe 4.0 support
- Cannot handle modern multi-tab browsing without stuttering
- L3 cache is limited to 4 MB
Pros
- High 4.1 GHz boost clock for snappy single-thread tasks
- Modern Iris Xe-LP integrated graphics
- Low 15W TDP enables thin, quiet laptops
- AVX-512 instruction set support
- Efficient 10nm SuperFin manufacturing process
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads severely limit multitasking
- 6MB L3 cache is small for modern workloads
- Only 4 direct CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes
- No DDR5 or LPDDR5 support
- BGA package prevents any upgrades
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-1005G1
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i3-1005G4Rival
Better Graphics Ice Lake-U
- Intel Pentium Gold 6405URival
Ultra-Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300URival
Next-Gen Budget Mobile
A 4-core Ice Lake alternative that solves the multitasking bottleneck.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-1115G1Alt
The 11th-gen successor with higher clocks and better integrated graphics.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
A modern 6-core laptop CPU that completely outclasses this 2-core chip.
A modern 10-core (hybrid) Intel chip that redefines budget laptop performance.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i3-1115G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2Rival
Mobile
- MediaTek Kompanio 500TRival
Mobile
Offers 4 cores and 8 threads, doubling the multitasking capability with only a small power increase.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Provides 6 Zen 2 cores and 12 threads, vastly superior multi-core performance.
12th-gen successor featuring 2 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores for much better background task handling.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M1 (base)Alt
Far superior performance per watt and unmatched battery life in a similar power class.
- AMD Ryzen 3 5400UAlt
6 cores at a competitive price point, offering much better long-term usability.
Our Verdict on Each
The i3-1005G1 successfully brought 10nm and Thunderbolt 3 to cheap laptops, but its 2-core CPU and stripped-back graphics make it a poor choice for anything beyond light tasks.
Best for: The only scenario where an i3-1005G1 laptop makes sense is if it is being sold at an extreme clearance price (under $100) and you need a disposable machine for a child's schoolwork or a dedicated document viewer. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 3 means it can connect to high-speed docks, which might be useful for legacy office setups.
Read the full reviewA capable entry-level mobile processor for basic tasks, hindered by its 2-core limit but benefiting from strong single-core speeds and a modern iGPU architecture.
Best for: Purchasing a highly discounted budget laptop for basic school or office work where no heavy multitasking is required.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-1005G1 or Intel Core i3-1115G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-1115G4 comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. 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 i3-1005G1 or Intel Core i3-1115G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1115G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 18/100 among Intel Core i3-1005G1 and Intel Core i3-1115G4.
Do Intel Core i3-1005G1 and Intel Core i3-1115G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-1005G1: BGA 1526, Intel Core i3-1115G4: BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1005G1 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-1005G1 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.