CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-10110Y vs Intel Core i3-1120G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-10110Y is an ultra-low-power dual-core mobile processor from the Comet Lake-Y family, introduced in August 2019. Designed explicitly for fanless tablets, detachable 2-in-1 devices, and ultra-thin clamshells, it operates at a remarkably low 9W TDP. To achieve this, Intel drastically reduced the base clock to just 1.0 GHz, though it can still boost up to 4.0 GHz for short bursts when thermal headroom is available. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, along with a 4MB L3 cache. A defining limitation of the i3-10110Y is its memory support: it only supports legacy DDR3L memory, entirely skipping the DDR4 standard. It utilizes the BGA 1440 socket and is paired with basic UHD integrated graphics. While it remains technically listed as "Active" in some databases, it is a niche, obsolete part that has been comprehensively replaced by much more efficient ARM-based SoCs and modern Intel Core Ultra low-power chips in the tablet and ultra-mobile computing segments.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Can handle basic embedded UI tasks, but modern Windows interfaces will feel sluggish due to the 1 GHz base clock.
Good for bursty office tasks due to 4 cores, but the 1.1 GHz base clock means it drops to very low performance during sustained workloads.
Gaming
Gaming is impossible. The combination of 2 cores, low power limits, and DDR3L memory bandwidth ensures zero playable frame rates.
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
Virtualization
Fundamentally incapable of running virtual machines.
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
Efficiency
While 9W is low, modern ARM chips like the Apple M1 deliver vastly more performance at similar or lower power draws.
Extremely efficient at idle and low loads due to the 1.1 GHz base clock, perfect for always-connected devices.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- No AVX-512
- Cannot perform AI tasks
- No dedicated IPU or NPU
- AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- Not suited for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- No gaming capability whatsoever
- DDR3L memory severely starves the integrated GPU
- Thermal throttling will occur almost instantly in 3D loads
- Thermal constraints prevent sustained GPU performance
- G4 tier graphics are already limited
- Not designed or marketed for gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- True 9W fanless operation
- Can boost to 4.0 GHz for brief moments
- Low cost for industrial repair parts
- Sufficient for static digital signage
- Low heat generation at idle
Cons
- DDR3L memory only, a massive bottleneck
- 1.0 GHz base clock is agonizingly slow
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- Completely obsolete for consumer use
- Outperformed by cheap ARM chips
Pros
- 4 cores provide good burst multi-threading
- 1.1 GHz base enables ultra-thin, fanless designs
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage
- Very high efficiency at low loads
- 8MB L3 cache is generous for the segment
Cons
- 1.1 GHz base clock causes severe performance drops under sustained load
- BGA 1598 socket limits motherboard and upgrade options
- No LPDDR4X support limits memory bandwidth
- 3.5 GHz boost is the lowest among 4-core Tiger Lake parts
- Lacks IPU 6.0 found on other similar-tier parts
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-1120G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Mobile
- Intel Pentium Silver N6005Rival
Mobile
Standard BGA 1449 socket with much higher clocks and IPU support for a similar core count.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
If you can accept a slightly thicker laptop, you get dramatically better sustained performance.
- Intel Core i5-1130G4Alt
Slightly higher clocks on the same BGA 1598 platform if available.
Our Verdict on Each
Completely obsolete for consumers. The reliance on DDR3L and a 2-core design makes it unable to handle modern computing tasks efficiently.
Best for: There is virtually no consumer scenario in 2026 where purchasing a device with the Intel Core i3-10110Y makes sense. If you are buying a new tablet or ultra-thin laptop, Apple's iPad, Microsoft's Surface Pro with a Snapdragon or Intel Core Ultra chip, or any modern AMD-powered alternative will offer exponentially better performance, battery life, and display quality. If you are looking at the used market, be extremely cautious: the reliance on DDR3L RAM means the entire platform is obsolete, and the 2-core/4-thread configuration will struggle to load modern websites efficiently. The only justifiable reason to acquire this chip today is for repairing a specific legacy industrial panel PC or a specialized kiosk that was originally designed around this exact motherboard and thermal profile. For general computing, it is effectively a paperweight.
Read the full reviewAn unusual 4-core Tiger Lake part severely limited by its 1.1 GHz base clock and BGA 1598 socket, making it a niche OEM component rather than a general-purpose mobile processor.
Best for: Purchasing a premium ultra-thin laptop or tablet where this chip is factory-installed and you value extreme portability over performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-10110Y or Intel Core i3-1120G4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-1120G4 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 i3-10110Y or Intel Core i3-1120G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1120G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i3-10110Y and Intel Core i3-1120G4.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-10110Y has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-10110Y (9 W), Intel Core i3-1120G4 (15 W).
Do Intel Core i3-10110Y and Intel Core i3-1120G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-10110Y: BGA 1440, Intel Core i3-1120G4: BGA 1598), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i3-1120G4 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i3-10110Y (2 cores), Intel Core i3-1120G4 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-10110Y posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-10110Y (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.