CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-1120G4 vs Core i5-11300H
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.
High clock speeds ensure smooth office and browsing performance.
Gaming
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
80EU graphics are good for light gaming, but fall short of the 11320H's 96EU.
Virtualization
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
4 cores can handle light VMs but will bottleneck quickly.
Efficiency
Extremely efficient at idle and low loads due to the 1.1 GHz base clock, perfect for always-connected devices.
28W TDP runs warmer than U-series but is manageable in thin chassis.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated IPU or NPU
- AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- Not suited for AI workloads
- Intel GNA 2.0 for AI-accelerated background tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Thermal constraints prevent sustained GPU performance
- G4 tier graphics are already limited
- Not designed or marketed for gaming
- 80EU Iris Xe is sufficient for Minecraft, Sims 4, and CS:GO
- Not recommended for modern AAA games
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
- Good single-core performance
- 28W TDP allows for sustained boosts
- 80EU Iris Xe graphics
- Supports PCIe 4.0
- Solid choice for everyday ultrabooks
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 8 threads
- No DDR5 support
- Slightly weaker graphics than the 11320H
- Locked multiplier
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.
Core i5-11300H
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11370HRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11320HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
A 15W alternative if you want better battery life.
Newer Alder Lake hybrid chip with 12 cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5625UAlt
More efficient with comparable multi-core performance.
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 4-core chip that brought H-series performance to thin-and-light laptops, though outclassed by newer generations.
Best for: Budget thin-and-light laptops
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-1120G4 or Core i5-11300H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-11300H comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 Core i5-11300H?
For gaming, the Core i5-11300H leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i3-1120G4 and Core i5-11300H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1120G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-1120G4 (15 W), Core i5-11300H (28 W).
Do Intel Core i3-1120G4 and Core i5-11300H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-1120G4: BGA 1598, Core i5-11300H: Intel BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i5-11300H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-11300H (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.