CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-1120G4 vs Intel Core i3-1315UE
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-1120G4 is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor utilizing the rare BGA 1598 socket, featuring a very low 1.1 GHz base clock designed for ultra-thin, thermally constrained form factors.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
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.
Handles office applications, web browsing, and light multitasking smoothly. Stumbles with heavy spreadsheet calculations or large document processing.
Gaming
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
Not designed for gaming. The UHD 64EU can handle very light e-sports titles at low settings but modern AAA games are unplayable.
Virtualization
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
Limited by 6 cores and 15W TDP. Can run a single lightweight VM but not suitable for serious virtualization work.
Efficiency
Extremely efficient at idle and low loads due to the 1.1 GHz base clock, perfect for always-connected devices.
Excellent power efficiency for its performance class. The hybrid design allows E-Cores to handle background tasks at minimal power draw.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated IPU or NPU
- AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- Not suited for AI workloads
- No dedicated NPU or AI acceleration hardware
- CPU-based inference is slow due to low power budget
- Not suitable for running local AI models
Content Creation
Gaming
- Thermal constraints prevent sustained GPU performance
- G4 tier graphics are already limited
- Not designed or marketed for gaming
- UHD Graphics 64EU is not a gaming GPU
- Can manage older 2D games and very light e-sports at 720p low
- No dedicated VRAM limits texture quality severely
- Modern games will experience severe bottlenecking
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Hybrid architecture brings better multi-threading to entry-level mobile
- Very low 15W base power for thin chassis designs
- Supports modern LPDDR5-6400 memory
- PCIe 4.0 support for faster NVMe storage
- Capable UHD Graphics 64EU for a 15W chip
Cons
- Very low 1.2 GHz base clock leads to sluggishness at sustained loads
- Only 8 PCIe lanes directly from the CPU
- No overclocking support
- Not suitable for gaming or content creation
- BGA package means no upgrade path
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.
Intel Core i3-1315UE
- AMD Ryzen 5 7530URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320URival
Mobile
- Apple M2 (base)Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-1335UAlt
Significantly more P-Cores (4 vs 2) for better sustained performance with similar power characteristics.
- Intel Core i3-1215UEAlt
Nearly identical performance at potentially lower cost if found in a discounted laptop.
- Alt
Dramatically better efficiency and GPU performance in a similar power class.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 3 7330UAlt
Competitive efficiency with RDNA 2 integrated graphics for light gaming.
Our Verdict on Each
An 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 reviewA capable low-power hybrid processor that brings Intel's P-Core and E-Core design to the entry-level mobile segment, though its 15W base power envelope limits sustained performance under heavy workloads.
Best for: Purchasing a pre-built thin-and-light laptop where this CPU is included by the OEM.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-1120G4 or Intel Core i3-1315UE?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-1315UE comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. 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 i3-1120G4 or Intel Core i3-1315UE?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-1315UE leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Intel Core i3-1120G4 and Intel Core i3-1315UE.
Do Intel Core i3-1120G4 and Intel Core i3-1315UE use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-1120G4: BGA 1598, Intel Core i3-1315UE: BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i3-1315UE has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i3-1120G4 (4 cores), Intel Core i3-1315UE (6 cores).