CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-1115G4 vs Intel Core i3-1120G4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-1115G4 is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor from the Tiger Lake generation, featuring high clock speeds and Iris Xe-LP integrated graphics tailored for thin-and-light laptops and everyday computing.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles word processing and spreadsheets effortlessly, but heavily multitasked office environments will expose the 2-core limitation.
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
The Iris Xe iGPU can handle older or 2D indie games at low settings, but modern AAA titles are unplayable.
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
Virtualization
2 cores and 4 threads are insufficient for running anything beyond a single, very lightweight virtual machine.
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
Efficiency
The configurable 12W-28W TDP range allows OEMs to tune it for excellent battery life in thin chassis designs.
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 dedicated NPU
- AVX-512 provides some acceleration for specific vector math workloads
- Not intended for AI development or inference
- No dedicated IPU or NPU
- AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- Not suited for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 i3-1115G4
- 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.
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
A 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 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 faster for gaming, Intel Core i3-1115G4 or Intel Core i3-1120G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1120G4 leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i3-1115G4 and Intel Core i3-1120G4.
Do Intel Core i3-1115G4 and Intel Core i3-1120G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-1115G4: BGA 1449, 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 i3-1115G4 (2 cores), Intel Core i3-1120G4 (4 cores).