Quick Verdict
The i3-1110G4 brings modern Iris Xe graphics and a 10nm process to budget laptops, but its 2-core configuration severely limits multitasking and longevity compared to 4-core alternatives.
Overview
Launch
2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Gen (Tiger Lake)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i3-1110G4 is a 2-core, 4-thread mobile processor built on the 10nm process, featuring Willow Cove architecture and Iris Xe Graphics G4, designed for entry-level thin-and-light laptops.
The Core i3-1110G4 utilizes two Willow Cove cores clocked up to 3.9 GHz, paired with Iris Xe Graphics G4. While the integrated graphics are a significant step up from older UHD graphics, the lack of Hyper-Threading and only having two physical cores restrict its ability to handle modern multi-threaded workloads.
Specifications
Performance
Basic office tasks run fine, but having only two cores means heavy multitasking or complex spreadsheets will slow down.
Two cores and four threads are insufficient for any serious virtual machine hosting.
The Iris Xe GPU can handle very light older games at low resolutions, but it is not a gaming processor.
Excellent power efficiency characteristic of the 10nm Tiger Lake mobile design.
- •Iris Xe graphics are a big improvement over UHD but still inadequate for modern AAA gaming
- •Can manage simple 2D indie games or very old titles
- •CPU will bottleneck even light games that rely on more than two threads
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •AVX-512 provides some vector compute capability but is impractical for modern AI workloads
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-1110G4 is built on the Willow Cove core architecture, which represented a substantial refinement over Ice Lake's Sunny Cove. Willow Cove redesigned the L1 and L2 cache subsystems, significantly increasing L2 cache capacity to 1.25 MB per core, which helps reduce latency and keep the execution units fed with data.
CPU Design
This specific SKU is limited to just two physical cores, lacking the four-core configurations seen in slightly higher-tier Tiger Lake parts. It does, however, retain Hyper-Threading to provide four threads, helping to mask memory latency during basic multitasking.
Memory Subsystem
It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory at speeds up to 3733 MT/s, providing decent bandwidth for the integrated GPU to share with the CPU.
PCIe & I/O
It features 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0, allowing OEMs to pair the chip with modern high-speed NVMe solid-state drives.
Overclocking
As a mobile processor, the multiplier is completely locked, and power limits are controlled by the laptop manufacturer.
- Significant IPC uplift from Willow Cove architecture
- Major iGPU upgrade to Iris Xe Graphics G4
- Shift to 10nm process node
- Addition of PCIe 4.0 support
Key Highlights
- Modern 10nm manufacturing process
- Iris Xe graphics offer capable media acceleration
- Low 15 W power draw enables thin chassis designs
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage
- AVX-512 instruction support
- Only 2 physical cores severely limit multitasking
- Hyper-Threading cannot compensate for missing physical cores
- L3 cache is limited to 6 MB
- Only supports DDR4, missing out on LPDDR4X power benefits
- End of useful life for modern computing workloads
History
The Core i3-1110G4 arrived in late 2020 as a stripped-down entry point for Intel's 11th-generation Tiger Lake mobile lineup. Tiger Lake was a critical release for Intel, marking the debut of the Willow Cove core and the Xe-LP graphics architecture on the 10nm SuperFin process. However, the i3-1110G4 itself was a curious SKU.
While the architecture was cutting-edge, Intel chose to limit this specific chip to just two physical cores.<br><br>This decision made sense primarily for extreme cost-cutting in the education and budget laptop segments, where every dollar saved on silicon validation and binning mattered. By using the same die but disabling two cores and halving the L3 cache, Intel could offer the marketing shine of a modern 11th-gen chip with Iris Xe graphics at the lowest possible price.
In retrospect, the 1110G4 served as a transitional bridge between the truly outdated dual-core Pentiums and the far more capable quad-core i3-1125G4.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Significant IPC uplift from Willow Cove architecture
- Major iGPU upgrade to Iris Xe Graphics G4
- Shift to 10nm process node
- Addition of PCIe 4.0 support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
The i3-1110G4 should only be purchased if you are buying a highly discounted, entry-level laptop strictly for basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. Its Iris Xe graphics make it marginally better than older 2-core chips for media tasks. However, modern operating systems and web browsers are increasingly demanding, and a 2-core processor will struggle to maintain smooth performance over the laptop's lifespan. You should avoid it if you plan to keep the laptop for more than a couple of years or need to run multiple applications simultaneously.
Avoid if…
- You need to run modern productivity suites with multiple heavy applications
- You do any form of content creation
- You want a laptop that will remain responsive for 4+ years
- A 4-core alternative is available at a similar price point
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Despite being an 11th-generation chip, it uses the older BGA 1598 socket rather than the newer BGA 1449 used by most other Tiger Lake processors.
It retains AVX-512 support, a feature Intel later removed from its 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation desktop processors.
The 1.25 MB L2 cache per core was double the cache found on the previous Ice Lake generation.
Iris Xe Graphics G4 shares the same Xe-LP architecture as Intel's discrete Arc graphics cards.
It was one of the last Intel mobile processors to launch with only two cores.
The 15 W TDP can be configured down by OEMs to fit into fanless laptop designs.
Despite the low core count, its single-core performance actually surpassed many 7th-gen desktop i7 processors.
The G4 suffix in the graphics name indicates a specific configuration of 80 Execution Units.
It lacks the Deep Learning Boost (DLBoost) AI acceleration instructions found on higher-tier Tiger Lake chips.
This processor was primarily targeted at the education and enterprise thin-client markets.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core i3-1110G4 good for gaming?
No, its 2-core CPU and integrated Iris Xe graphics are only suitable for very light, older 2D games.
How many cores does the i3-1110G4 have?
It has 2 physical cores and 4 threads using Hyper-Threading.
What is the difference between i3-1110G4 and i3-1125G4?
The 1125G4 has 4 physical cores and 8 threads, along with 8 MB of L3 cache, making it significantly faster for multitasking.
Can the i3-1110G4 run Windows 11?
Yes, it meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
What generation is the i3-1110G4?
It is an 11th-generation Intel processor based on the Tiger Lake architecture.
Does the i3-1110G4 support DDR5?
No, it only supports DDR4 memory up to 3733 MT/s.
Is the i3-1110G4 better than an i5?
No, a modern i5 will typically have more cores and higher clock speeds, vastly outperforming the 1110G4.
What is the TDP of the i3-1110G4?
The base TDP is 15 Watts.
Does the i3-1110G4 have AVX-512?
Yes, it supports AVX-512 instruction sets.
Can I upgrade the processor in my i3-1110G4 laptop?
No, it is a BGA (Ball Grid Array) chip soldered directly to the motherboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does the i3-1110G4 use?
It uses the BGA 1598 socket.
What is the base clock speed?
1.8 GHz.
What is the maximum boost clock?
3.9 GHz.
How much L3 cache does it have?
6 MB of shared L3 cache.
What integrated graphics does it have?
Iris Xe Graphics G4.
Does it support PCIe 4.0?
Yes, it features 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0.
When was it released?
September 2nd, 2020.
Can it be overclocked?
No, mobile processors do not have unlocked multipliers.
What is the maximum temperature?
The TJ Max is 100°C.
Does it support ECC memory?
No, ECC memory is not supported.