CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-1220P vs Intel Core i5-1240P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-1220P is a 10-core, 12-thread thin-and-light mobile processor featuring an unusual 2P+8E hybrid configuration with Iris Xe 64EU integrated graphics, designed for mainstream laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 8 E-cores handle background multitasking exceptionally well, making the system feel responsive during heavy multi-tab browsing.
12 cores ensure snappy performance in heavy multitasking and office applications.
Gaming
The Iris Xe 64EU graphics can handle older or lightweight games at low settings, but this is not a gaming processor.
Iris Xe 80EU handles esports titles well but struggles with demanding AAA games.
Virtualization
The high E-core count provides decent throughput for containerized or VM workloads, though P-core limited tasks will be slower.
Easily handles local development virtual machines.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency for a 10-core chip. The 28 W base power and E-core dominance allow for long battery life in thin laptops.
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated NPU
- 10 cores provide some CPU inference capability but it is not optimized for AI
- Not recommended for AI development or training
- Adequate for background blur and basic audio noise cancellation.
- No dedicated AI silicon.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 64EU is vastly superior to UHD Graphics 730 but still not a gaming GPU
- Can play esports titles like League of Legends and CS2 at 1080p low
- Modern AAA games will require low settings and may still struggle
- Suitable for Minecraft, CS:GO, and League of Legends.
- Not designed for high-end gaming without a discrete GPU.
- Supports fast hardware video decoding.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent multi-tasking capability thanks to 8 E-cores
- Low 28 W power draw enables good battery life in thin laptops
- Iris Xe 64EU graphics are significantly better than desktop i3 iGPU
- 10 cores provide strong multi-threaded specs for the price tier
- Handles everyday web and office tasks with ease
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores severely limit single-threaded and active workload performance
- E-cores cannot match P-core performance in demanding applications
- 28 W base power limits sustained performance in thermally constrained chassis
- Not suitable for serious content creation or heavy productivity
- E-core heavy design can cause inconsistent performance in poorly threaded applications
Pros
- 12 cores and 16 threads in a 28W package
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Supports DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory
- Great for heavy multitasking
- Good value compared to i7 variants
Cons
- Not unlocked for overclocking
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- iGPU slightly slower than i5-1250P
- Can run warm under sustained load
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-1220P
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Zen 3+ Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700URival
High-Core Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
ARM Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1235URival
Mainstream U-Series
Adds 2 more P-cores (4P+8E) for dramatically better active workload performance at a slight price premium.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-1240P
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1260PRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1250PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1 ProRival
Mobile
Better battery life for standard office use.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Superior integrated graphics performance for light gaming.
Lower power variant for thinner designs and longer battery life.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Older but cost-effective alternative with solid performance.
Our Verdict on Each
The i3-1220P maximizes core count on a budget by using 8 E-cores, delivering excellent multitasking for thin-and-light laptops but falling short in single-threaded tasks compared to processors with more P-cores.
Best for: The i3-1220P is not a standalone purchase but a component integrated into laptops. When shopping for a thin-and-light laptop in 2022-2023, a machine with the 1220P offers a good balance of everyday performance and battery life for web browsing, office work, and media consumption. However, be aware that the 2 P-cores will limit performance in CPU-intensive applications like video editing or heavy compiling. If your laptop budget allows, stepping up to an i5-1240P or i5-12500P provides 4 P-cores and significantly better sustained performance for a modest price increase.
Read the full reviewA nearly identical alternative to the 1250P, offering exceptional 12-core performance in a 28W envelope with excellent value.
Best for: Purchasing a mid-range premium ultrabook for heavy productivity and light content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-1220P or Intel Core i5-1240P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1240P comes out ahead with a score of 8.7/10. 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 i3-1220P or Intel Core i5-1240P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1240P leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i3-1220P and Intel Core i5-1240P.
Do Intel Core i3-1220P and Intel Core i5-1240P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-1220P: BGA 1744, Intel Core i5-1240P: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1240P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i3-1220P (10 cores), Intel Core i5-1240P (12 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1220P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-1220P (11,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.