Quick Verdict
Obsolete for modern use. Its 2 cores struggle heavily with today's web applications, making it suitable only for the lightest, most basic computing tasks.
Overview
The Intel Core i3-10110U is a 10th-generation, dual-core mobile processor designed primarily for budget-friendly laptops and Chromebooks. Launched in August 2019, it was part of the Comet Lake-U family, though it heavily mirrored the previous generation's architecture. It features 2 physical cores coupled with Hyper-Threading for 4 total threads, running at a base clock of 2.1 GHz and boosting up to 4.1 GHz. With a 25W TDP and a 72°C Tcase max, it was intended for thin-and-light chassis designs that required active but minimal cooling. The chip included only 4MB of L3 cache and relied on basic UHD integrated graphics. Notably, it supported both legacy DDR3L and newer DDR4 memory types, giving OEMs flexibility in sourcing cheaper components for entry-level laptops. It is now officially listed as End-of-Life, having been replaced by newer 11th and 12th-generation U-series parts that offer dramatically more cores and significantly better power efficiency.
The i3-10110U offers 2 cores, 4 threads, and a 4.1 GHz boost inside a 25W power envelope. It supports DDR3L or DDR4, but its 4MB cache and lack of modern iGPU features make it outdated.
Specifications
Performance
Can handle a single Word document or spreadsheet, but opening multiple browser tabs alongside office apps will cause severe slowdowns.
2 cores and 4 threads are fundamentally inadequate for running virtual machines.
The basic UHD graphics cannot handle any modern games. Even older e-sports titles will struggle at low settings.
While 25W is low, modern ARM chips and newer Intel chips do far more work per watt.
- •No dedicated gaming capability
- •Integrated UHD graphics are severely limited
- •CPU bottlenecks even the lightest games
- •No AI hardware
- •No AVX-512
- •Cannot handle AI tasks
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
2C / 4T
Core Config
4 MB
L3 Cache
25 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-10110U is built on Intel's 14nm process technology and utilizes the Comet Lake-U microarchitecture, which itself was a minor refresh of the Whiskey Lake-U architecture from the 8th generation.
CPU Design
It contains just 2 physical cores, each with 64KB of L1 cache and 256KB of L2 cache, feeding into a small 4MB shared L3 cache. The inclusion of Hyper-Threading allows it to handle 4 threads simultaneously, which was the bare minimum for acceptable Windows 10 performance at the time of its release.
Memory Subsystem
Its memory controller is notably versatile for a mobile chip, supporting dual-channel DDR3L-2133 as well as DDR4-2400 or DDR4-2666, depending on the laptop motherboard. It lacks PCIe 4.0 support, offering only PCIe 3.0 lanes for NVMe storage.
PCIe & I/O
The integrated UHD Graphics shares the system memory and features a limited number of execution units, making it suitable only for basic display output, video decoding, and very light 2D gaming. Its 25W TDP can be configured down by OEMs to fit thinner designs, at the cost of sustained performance.
Overclocking
Completely locked, standard for mobile BGA processors.
- Slightly higher boost clock (4.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz)
- Rebadged as 10th Gen for marketing continuity
Key Highlights
- Very cheap on the used market
- Low 25W power draw
- Supports both DDR3L and DDR4
- 4.1 GHz boost provides okay single-task speed
- Sufficient for basic offline typing
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- 4MB L3 cache is very small
- End-of-Life and no longer manufactured
- UHD graphics are extremely weak
- Struggles with modern web applications
History
Released in late August 2019, the Core i3-10110U arrived during a transitional and somewhat chaotic period for Intel's mobile lineup. Intel was heavily marketing its 10th-generation "Ice Lake" processors built on a new 10nm process, but those parts were in low supply and reserved for higher-tier laptops. To fill the gap in the budget segment, Intel took its existing 14nm silicon, gave it a new "10th Gen Comet Lake" name badge, and shipped it to OEMs.
</br></br>This caused immense confusion in the market, as consumers buying a "10th Gen" laptop had no way of knowing if they were getting the revolutionary 10nm Ice Lake chip or the refreshed 14nm Comet Lake chip without checking the exact CPU model number. The i3-10110U was one of the most prominent victims of this naming scheme. It found its way into thousands of sub-$400 Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
While it provided adequate performance for basic school work and web browsing in 2019, the rapid advancement of web technologies and the shift to heavier web applications quickly rendered its 2 cores insufficient for smooth long-term usage.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Slightly higher boost clock (4.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz)
- Rebadged as 10th Gen for marketing continuity
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
You should avoid purchasing any new laptop containing the Intel Core i3-10110U in today's market. With only 2 cores and 4 threads, this processor struggles heavily with modern web browsing habits, where having dozens of tabs open alongside streaming video or communication apps will quickly saturate its processing capability. If you are looking at the used or refurbished market, laptops with this chip should only be considered if they are exceptionally cheap (under $150) and if your usage is strictly limited to lightweight tasks like writing documents, watching offline video, or basic web surfing. For a new budget laptop, even the most basic ARM-based Chromebook or an AMD Ryzen 3 powered Windows laptop will provide a vastly superior, longer-lasting experience due to having more CPU cores and significantly better integrated graphics. Do not buy this chip for any form of multitasking.
Avoid if…
- You need a laptop for modern web browsing
- You use Zoom or Teams regularly
- You plan to keep the laptop for more than 2 years
- You want to run multiple apps simultaneously
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was part of the confusing 10th-gen launch where 14nm and 10nm chips shared the same generation name.
Despite being '10th Gen', it was architecturally identical to 8th-gen Whiskey Lake chips.
It supported legacy DDR3L memory, a rarity for 2019-era mobile chips.
The 4MB L3 cache was half the size of what Intel put on their desktop i3 chips of the same generation.
It utilized the BGA 1440 socket, shared with many older 8th-generation mobile processors.
The 72°C Tcase max meant laptop fans had to spin up aggressively to maintain even its low 2.1 GHz base clock.
It lacked the modern Iris Xe graphics, relying on the aging UHD architecture.
OEMs frequently configured this chip down to 15W or even 10W to make fanless or near-fanless laptops.
It was one of the last Intel mobile processors to officially list DDR3L support.
Many consumers bought '10th Gen' laptops thinking they got the new 10nm Ice Lake chip, only to receive this 14nm part instead.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core i3-10110U good for gaming?
No, its 2 cores and basic UHD integrated graphics cannot handle modern games.
Is the i3-10110U a 10nm processor?
No, despite being branded as 10th Gen, it is built on the older 14nm process. The 10nm chips were the Ice Lake series.
Can the i3-10110U run Windows 11?
Yes, it meets the minimum CPU requirements, though performance will be sluggish with heavy tasks.
How many cores does the i3-10110U have?
It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads.
What is the TDP of the i3-10110U?
25W, though OEMs can configure it down to as low as 10W.
Does it support DDR4 RAM?
Yes, it supports both DDR3L and DDR4, depending on what the laptop manufacturer chose to use.
Is the i3-10110U still made?
No, it is officially End-of-Life.
Can I upgrade the CPU in my i3-10110U laptop?
No, it is soldered directly to the motherboard (BGA 1440).
Why was there confusion about 10th-gen Intel CPUs?
Intel sold both 14nm 'Comet Lake' and 10nm 'Ice Lake' chips under the same 10th Gen branding, making it hard for consumers to know which architecture they were getting.
Is it good for Zoom calls?
It can handle basic Zoom calls, but if you have many apps open in the background, the 2 cores will struggle to keep up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the boost clock?
4.1 GHz.
What is the base clock?
2.1 GHz.
What is the L3 cache size?
4 MB.
What socket does it use?
BGA 1440.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the Tcase max?
72°C.
When was it released?
August 21, 2019.
Does it support AVX-512?
No.
What generation is it?
10th Generation.
What are the integrated graphics?
Intel UHD Graphics (exact EU count varies by OEM bin).