Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i7-1185G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10105 and Intel Core i7-1185G7 are both quad-core, eight-thread processors from Intel, but they serve different segments: the i3-10105 is a desktop part built on the Comet Lake architecture, while the i7-1185G7 is a mobile processor using Tiger Lake. Despite the i3 being a generation older in naming, the benchmark data reveals a complex relationship where the mobile i7 wins the majority of tests, but the desktop i3 counters decisively in a few specific workloads. This analysis walks through the head-to-head results, identifies where each chip excels, and provides guidance based solely on recorded measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 848 against the i3’s 708, a difference of 16.5%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 119 for the i7 versus 99 for the i3, a 16.8% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 again leads by 16.5% in both multi-core (3534 vs 2952) and single-core (498 vs 416). The R23 results continue the pattern: multi-core 8416 vs 7029, and single-core 1188 vs 992, each a 16.5% margin. These consistent deltas suggest the i7’s architectural efficiency in rendering workloads is substantial, not a single-test anomaly.

Geekbench results reinforce the i7’s lead. In multi-core, the i7 scores 4816 against the i3’s 4325, a 10.2% advantage. The single-core gap is larger: 1591 vs 1319, a 17.1% difference. This pattern of the single-core advantage being more pronounced than multi-core appears across several tests, pointing to the i7’s higher boost clock and newer core design.

PassMark tests show a more varied picture. The i7 wins integer math (34211 vs 28577, a 16.5% lead), floating point math (20126 vs 17949, a 10.8% lead), and multithread (10115 vs 8241, an 18.5% lead). The i7 also excels in find prime numbers, scoring 47 versus 20, a massive 57.4% advantage. Data encryption favors the i7 heavily: 5598 vs 2723, a 51.4% gap. Physics tests show the i7 at 763 versus the i3’s 467, a 38.8% difference. Single-thread PassMark has the i7 ahead at 2778 vs 2589, a more modest 6.8% lead.

The Intel Core i3-10105 wins three tests, and they are noteworthy. In data compression, the i3 scores 128464 versus the i7’s 104630, a 22.8% advantage. Random string sorting goes to the i3 at 15899 vs 12792, a 24.3% lead. Extended instructions also favor the i3: 8648 vs 7396, a 16.9% margin. These wins are not marginal; they represent substantial leads in specific computational tasks.

The overall win count is 16 for the i7 and 3 for the i3. However, the average benchmark scores tell a different story: the i3 has an average of 12316, slightly higher than the i7’s 11697. This discrepancy occurs because the i3’s wins include a very large score in data compression, which pulls its average up, while the i7’s many wins are often by smaller percentages. Both processors sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs, indicating similar overall standing despite the test-by-test differences.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 is the clear winner for general-purpose performance. It leads in 16 of 19 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, both Geekbench tests, and most PassMark workloads. The i7’s single-core advantage of 17.1% in Geekbench and 16.8% in Cinebench R15 means faster responsiveness in everyday applications, while its multi-core leads of 10.2% to 18.5% across various tests show better throughput in threaded workloads. For users running rendering, encryption, physics simulation, or integer-heavy tasks, the data strongly favors the i7.

The Intel Core i3-10105, however, is not without a case. Its wins in data compression, random string sorting, and extended instructions are significant, with margins between 16.9% and 24.3%. These are not niche tasks; compression and sorting appear in file archiving, database operations, and data processing. The i3’s average benchmark score is higher, at 12316 versus 11697, which suggests that for a balanced mix of workloads, the i3 may hold its own. The i3 also carries a larger L3 cache in practical terms when normalized per core: 6 MB shared across 4 cores versus 12 MB shared across 4 cores, though the i7’s per-core L2 is much larger at 1.25 MB versus 256 KB.

Who should pick which? The data indicates that users prioritizing raw compute in rendering, encryption, physics, and math should choose the i7-1185G7. Users whose primary workloads involve data compression, string sorting, or extended instruction sets, where the i3 leads by 16.9% to 24.3%, may find the i3-10105 better suited. The i3’s higher average score also suggests it is the safer all-around pick for mixed usage, despite losing most individual tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i3-10105 uses Comet Lake, built on a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i7-1185G7 uses Tiger Lake, built on a 10 nm process. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, but the cache hierarchy differs markedly. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The i7’s larger L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its single-core performance advantage, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

Clock speeds also differ. The i3 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7 has a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i7’s higher boost clock explains part of its single-core lead, while its lower base clock is offset by architectural efficiency. Thermal design power differs substantially: the i3 is rated at 65 W, while the i7 is rated at 28 W. This reflects the i7’s mobile orientation, where lower power consumption is critical. The die size for the i7 is listed at 144 mm², while the i3’s die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory support differs as well. The i3 supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X with dual-channel memory, though its bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe capabilities vary: the i3 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 has Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The i7’s PCIe Gen 4 support is newer and faster per lane, but the i3 offers more lanes.

Integrated graphics also distinguish the two. The i3 includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i7 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU. The i7’s graphics solution is significantly more capable, which is expected given its mobile segment, but the database does not include graphics benchmark scores for either. The i3 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1200, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1449, meaning the i7 is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable. The i3 was released on 2021-03-15, while the i7 was released earlier on 2020-09-01. The i3’s production status is Active, while the i7 is End-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185G7 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-10105 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7’s higher boost contributes to its single-core benchmark wins.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this, the i7 wins 16 of 19 benchmarks, indicating that core count alone does not determine performance.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185G7 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-10105 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7 also has larger L1 and L2 caches per core.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105 has an average benchmark score of 12316, while the Intel Core i7-1185G7 has an average of 11697. The i3’s higher average is driven by its large win in data compression.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 4?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185G7 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i3-10105 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both are locked parts according to the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 wins in rendering workloads across all Cinebench versions, with consistent 16.5% leads in both multi-core and single-core tests. It also wins in Geekbench multi-core by 10.2% and single-core by 17.1%, making it the better choice for general productivity, web browsing, and office applications. For encryption tasks, the i7’s 51.4% lead in data encryption is substantial, suggesting it is far better suited for secure communications, VPNs, or encrypted storage. Physics simulations favor the i7 by 38.8%, and integer math by 16.5%, indicating strength in scientific computing and number crunching. The i7 also wins floating point math by 10.8%, multithread workloads by 18.5%, and prime number finding by 57.4%. Its single-thread score is 6.8% higher, so even light-threaded tasks like browser rendering or spreadsheet updates will be faster on the i7.

The Intel Core i3-10105 wins in data compression by 22.8%, which covers file archiving, backup software, and database compression routines. It also wins random string sorting by 24.3%, a task relevant to sorting algorithms, log processing, and data wrangling. Extended instructions give the i3 a 16.9% lead, which may indicate better performance in workloads that leverage specific CPU instruction set extensions. The i3’s higher average benchmark score (12316 vs 11697) also suggests that in a mixed workload environment, the i3 may deliver better overall throughput despite losing the majority of individual tests. Its 65 W TDP versus the i7’s 28 W indicates the i3 is designed for sustained desktop operation, while the i7 is optimized for mobile efficiency, though the database does not record thermal performance under sustained load.

For desktop users building a system with a discrete GPU, the i3’s 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion bandwidth than the i7’s 4 Gen 4 lanes. The i3’s DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth is also a solid match for typical desktop configurations. The i7’s LPDDR4X support gives it an edge in low-power mobile designs, but the database does not provide bandwidth figures for that configuration. The i7’s larger die size of 144 mm² versus the unrecorded i3 die size suggests a more complex integrated circuit, likely housing the more capable Iris Xe graphics and larger caches.

In summary, the i7-1185G7 is the performance leader in most measurable categories, particularly single-thread and rendering tasks. The i3-10105 counters in specific data-heavy workloads and offers a higher average score. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes the i7’s broad wins or the i3’s targeted advantages in compression and sorting. Both CPUs sit at the 67th percentile, meaning they are comparable in overall standing within the broader CPU landscape.