Quick Verdict
A capable 4-core Tiger Lake chip distinguished by its IPU 6.0, making it an excellent choice for enterprise laptops focused on communication, though it is now outdated and out of production.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 (IPU) is a 4-core, 8-thread Tiger Lake mobile processor featuring an integrated Image Processing Unit (IPU) 6.0, designed specifically for OEMs building laptops with advanced AI-enhanced webcam and video conferencing capabilities.
The Core i3-1125G4 (IPU) doubles the core count of the standard 1115G4 to 4 cores and 8 threads, includes 8MB of L3 cache, and features 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes. Its defining feature is the IPU 6.
0, which handles background segmentation, noise reduction, and video encoding for webcams, freeing up the CPU cores for other work.
Specifications
Performance
The 4 cores provide a solid foundation for office multitasking, easily handling dozens of browser tabs alongside office applications.
8 threads allow for running a couple of standard VMs, but the 15W TDP limits heavy sustained virtualization workloads.
The Iris Xe G4 graphics are better suited for video output than gaming. Only the lightest e-sports titles are playable.
The IPU 6.0 actually improves overall system efficiency by offloading video processing tasks from the CPU and GPU.
- •G4 tier Iris Xe graphics limit graphical fidelity
- •CPU is adequate for low-end gaming if paired with an external GPU via PCIe
- •Not designed or marketed for gaming workloads
- •The IPU 6.0 provides dedicated AI acceleration specifically for image and video processing
- •Lacks a general-purpose NPU for broad AI workloads
- •AVX-512 supports CPU-based AI inference
Architecture
10nm (SuperFin)
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
This variant utilizes the full 4-core Tiger Lake-U die but operates at lower clock speeds than i5 equivalents, differentiated by the inclusion of Intel's IPU 6.0 on the package.
CPU Design
4 Willow Cove cores with Hyper-Threading. The base clock is set at 2.0 GHz with a 3.7 GHz single-core boost and a 3.3 GHz all-core boost, intentionally lower than the i5-1135G7 to maintain product segmentation.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-3200 or LPDDR4X-3733. The 16 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes suggest this die was harvested from higher-tier silicon, providing ample bandwidth for NVMe storage.
PCIe & I/O
16 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes, a significant increase over the 4 lanes found on 2-core Tiger Lake i3 models.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier, standard for mobile segments.
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- Addition of IPU 6.0 for video offload
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (up from 4 on 1115G4)
- 8MB L3 cache (up from 6MB)
- SuperFin process for better efficiency
Key Highlights
- IPU 6.0 provides excellent video conferencing enhancements
- 4 cores and 8 threads offer good multitasking
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for excellent I/O flexibility
- 8MB L3 cache improves multi-threaded responsiveness
- Efficient video processing offload saves battery life
- End-of-Life status means no new laptops carry it
- Lower clock speeds than non-IPU i5 equivalents
- G4 tier graphics are cut down compared to G7
- No DDR5 memory support
- Specialized IPU adds cost for users who don't video conference
History
The Core i3-1125G4 (IPU) emerged in early 2021 as a targeted solution for a rapidly changing enterprise laptop market. With the sudden shift to remote work, laptop vendors found themselves under pressure to deliver better video conferencing experiences. Standard CPUs struggled with the simultaneous demands of running Zoom/Teams, applying virtual backgrounds, and maintaining system responsiveness.
</br></br>Intel's solution was to take a 4-core Tiger Lake die, intentionally limit its clock speeds to fit within the i3 branding and 15W power envelope, and integrate the IPU 6.0. This dedicated image processor handled the heavy lifting of video encoding, background segmentation, and noise reduction.
By keeping the CPU focused on traditional compute tasks, the overall user experience during video calls became noticeably smoother.</br></br>This SKU was largely invisible to consumers, as it was sold directly to OEMs like HP, Dell, and Lenovo for their enterprise-tier laptops. Its End-of-Life status reflects the rapid pace of mobile silicon, where specialized parts are quickly replaced by more generalized NPUs in newer generations like Alder Lake and Meteor Lake.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Doubled core count from 2 to 4
- Addition of IPU 6.0 for video offload
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (up from 4 on 1115G4)
- 8MB L3 cache (up from 6MB)
- SuperFin process for better efficiency
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a used or refurbished enterprise laptop where AI-enhanced video conferencing is a daily requirement.
Avoid if…
- Buying a new laptop (it is End-of-Life)
- You need high single-core clock speeds
- Gaming or heavy creative work is the goal
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The IPU 6.0 was primarily designed to make Windows Hello and Zoom/Teams background blur seamless without dropping CPU frames.
Despite having 4 cores, its 3.7 GHz boost is actually lower than the 2-core 1115G4's 4.1 GHz boost.
The 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes suggest this chip uses the same physical die as higher-end i5 parts, just with different clock limits.
It launched in Q1 2021, six months after the standard Tiger Lake lineup, tailored specifically for enterprise laptop refresh cycles.
Intel's IPU 6.0 can process up to 4K resolution video streams natively.
The 'IPU' suffix in the name is a rare instance of Intel explicitly naming a coprocessor in the main CPU SKU.
This chip was heavily favored by Dell and HP for their enterprise Pro and EliteBook lines.
Its all-core turbo of 3.3 GHz is 400 MHz lower than its single-core turbo, indicating steep power scaling limits.
The part number SRK8R distinguishes it from the non-IPU SRK08.
It supports VMD (Volume Management Device) implicitly through its 16 lanes, useful for enterprise RAID setups.
People Also Ask
What does IPU mean on the Intel i3-1125G4?
IPU stands for Image Processing Unit. It is a dedicated coprocessor on the chip that handles AI and image processing tasks like video conferencing background blur and noise cancellation.
Is the i3-1125G4 a quad-core processor?
Yes, unlike the 2-core i3-1115G4, the 1125G4 (IPU) features 4 cores and 8 threads.
Why does the i3-1125G4 have a lower boost clock than the i3-1115G4?
To maintain the 15W power envelope and thermals across 4 cores, Intel had to set lower peak frequencies compared to the 2-core 1115G4.
Can the IPU 6.0 be used for gaming?
No, the IPU is specifically designed for image processing, video encoding, and AI enhancement for webcams. It does not accelerate game graphics.
Is the Intel Core i3-1125G4 still available?
It is listed as End-of-Life, meaning it is no longer being manufactured, though it may still be found in refurbished laptops.
How many PCIe lanes does the i3-1125G4 have?
It features 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
Does the i3-1125G4 support Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, with 16 PCIe lanes and the Tiger Lake platform, it fully supports Thunderbolt 4 when implemented by the OEM.
What is the difference between i3-1125G4 and i5-1135G7?
The i5-1135G7 has higher clock speeds and a more powerful 80EU Iris Xe G7 GPU, while the i3-1125G4 has lower clocks, a 48EU G4 GPU, and adds the IPU 6.0.
Does the IPU help with battery life?
Yes, by offloading video processing tasks from the main CPU and GPU, the IPU allows the system to enter lower power states more often.
What is the TDP of the i3-1125G4?
The base TDP is 15W, configurable between 12W and 28W, with a 52W PL2 turbo limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number for the i3-1125G4 (IPU)?
SRK8R.
Does it support AVX-512?
Yes.
What is the L3 cache size?
8 MB.
What is the all-core turbo frequency?
3.3 GHz.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the launch price?
$281.
What socket does it use?
BGA 1449.
Is the multiplier unlocked?
No.
What is the dynamic frequency of the graphics?
1250 MHz.
When was it released?
March 31, 2021.