Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Mobile
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 Core i3-1120G4 stands out due to its BGA 1598 socket and 1.1 GHz base frequency, contrasting sharply with other Tiger Lake U-series chips. While it features 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8MB of L3 cache, its thermal design is tailored for devices that cannot dissipate more than 15W, relying on a 3.
5 GHz boost for short bursts of performance.
Specifications
Performance
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.
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
Extremely efficient at idle and low loads due to the 1.1 GHz base clock, perfect for always-connected devices.
- •Thermal constraints prevent sustained GPU performance
- •G4 tier graphics are already limited
- •Not designed or marketed for gaming
- •No dedicated IPU or NPU
- •AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- •Not suited for AI workloads
Architecture
10nm (SuperFin)
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
This is a full 4-core Tiger Lake-U die placed on the smaller BGA 1598 package, with aggressive clock limits applied to meet the thermal requirements of ultra-thin devices.
CPU Design
4 Willow Cove cores with Hyper-Threading. The 1.1 GHz base clock is roughly half that of the standard 1125G4, indicating this chip is intended to spend most of its time at low frequencies, boosting to 3.5 GHz only briefly.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4 support rated for 3733 MT/s. Notably, LPDDR4X support is absent from this specific SKU's specifications.
PCIe & I/O
16 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes, confirming it uses the full 4-core die rather than a harvested 2-core variant.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- Massive jump to 4 cores and 8 threads
- Willow Cove architecture
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Xe-LP integrated graphics
- AVX-512 support
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core i3-1120G4 is one of the most enigmatic processors in Intel's Tiger Lake lineup. Built on the unique BGA 1598 socket, it was designed for a very specific class of devices: ultra-thin tablets, 2-in-1 convertibles, and fanless always-connected PCs that demanded the feature set of a full 4-core Tiger Lake chip but could not physically accommodate the thermal output of standard U-series processors.</br></br>The BGA 1598 package was Intel's answer to the increasingly thin designs being pursued by OEMs.
By changing the physical pin layout and package dimensions, Intel allowed motherboard designers to reduce the Z-height of the board. However, this physical optimization came with severe electrical and thermal compromises, reflected in the drastically reduced 1.1 GHz base clock and the 72°C Tcase max limit.
</br></br>Interestingly, Intel omitted LPDDR4X support from this specific SKU, a baffling decision for a chip destined for tablets where space and power are at a premium. This suggests the 1120G4 may have been a last-minute silicon configuration or a bespoke order for a specific OEM that had DDR4 supply chain advantages. It remains a rare sight in the wild, overshadowed by the more common BGA 1449 variants.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Massive jump to 4 cores and 8 threads
- Willow Cove architecture
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Xe-LP integrated graphics
- AVX-512 support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a premium ultra-thin laptop or tablet where this chip is factory-installed and you value extreme portability over performance.
Avoid if…
- You do any sustained heavy lifting on your laptop
- You want the ability to upgrade or repair
- You are comparing raw performance against standard U-series laptops
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The BGA 1598 socket is significantly different from BGA 1449, featuring a different pin layout and physical dimensions optimized for thinner PCBs.
Its 1.1 GHz base clock is lower than many modern smartphone peak frequencies.
Despite having 4 cores, its 3.5 GHz boost is 200 MHz lower than the 2-core 1115G4.
The absence of LPDDR4X support is unusual for an ultra-thin chip, as LPDDR4X is physically smaller and more power-efficient than DDR4.
It includes TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions), a feature often omitted on consumer chips, suggesting possible enterprise or specialized usage.
Intel does not publicly list a die size for the BGA 1598 package, though the silicon inside is the same 144mm² Tiger Lake die.
The Tcase max is listed at 72°C, which is relatively low and explains the aggressive clock throttling.
This chip was rarely seen in consumer laptops, primarily appearing in specific OEM tablet or 2-in-1 designs.
Its 16 PCIe lanes confirm it is a full 4-core die, not a 2-core die with features unlocked.
The memory bandwidth is explicitly listed as 59.7 GB/s in source data, matching dual-channel DDR4-3733.
People Also Ask
What is the BGA 1598 socket?
It is a specific Intel socket package designed for ultra-thin and tablet form factors, distinct from the standard BGA 1449 used in most Tiger Lake laptops.
Why is the base clock only 1.1 GHz?
The low base clock ensures the processor can run within strict thermal limits of ultra-thin, often fanless, devices. It relies on short boosts to 3.5 GHz for performance.
Is the i3-1120G4 a quad-core?
Yes, it features 4 Willow Cove cores and 8 threads.
Does the i3-1120G4 support LPDDR4X?
According to specifications, it only lists DDR4 support, unlike other Tiger Lake U-series chips that support LPDDR4X.
Can the i3-1120G4 game?
No, the combination of a low base clock, thermal constraints, and G4 tier graphics makes it unsuitable for gaming.
What is the Tcase max for the i3-1120G4?
72°C, which is lower than the 100°C TJ Max of other Tiger Lake chips, reflecting its specialized thermal design.
How many PCIe lanes does it have?
16 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
Does it have an IPU?
No, the IPU 6.0 is not listed in its feature set.
What is the L3 cache size?
8 MB.
Is the i3-1120G4 good for students?
It can handle basic schoolwork, but the low base clock may cause lag if many browser tabs or applications are open simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number?
Unknown/Not listed in standard databases.
What is the boost clock?
3.5 GHz.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the max turbo power (PL2)?
Not officially listed in the provided data; set to null.
Does it support AVX-512?
Yes.
What is the TDP?
15W.
What is the manufacturing process?
10nm (SuperFin).
When was it released?
September 2, 2020.
Is the multiplier unlocked?
No.
Does it support TSX?
Yes, TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions) is listed in its features.