Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i5-1130G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i5-1130G7 wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i3-10105T. The margin is narrow but uniform, hovering around 5 percent across all six Cinebench workloads. This consistency suggests a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-1130G7 scores 706 against the i3-10105T's 670, a delta of 5.1 percent. The single-core test tells the same story: 99 versus 94, again a 5.1 percent gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 2942 for the i5-1130G7 and 2795 for the i3-10105T, a 5 percent difference. Single-core R20 shows 415 against 394, another 5.1 percent edge. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multicore 7006 versus 6656 (5 percent delta), single-core 989 versus 939 (5.1 percent delta). The i5-1130G7 claims all six wins, with no countervailing victories for the i3-10105T.

What makes this interesting is the context. Both processors have identical core and thread counts: 4 cores and 8 threads. The i3-10105T operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz, while the i5-1130G7 lists a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (which appears to be a low-power base) and a boost of 4.00 GHz. Despite the i3's much higher sustained base frequency, the i5 still outperforms it in every test. The data implies that architectural efficiency, not raw clock speed, drives the result.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the i3-10105T has an average benchmark score of 2058 across all recorded tests, while the i5-1130G7 sits at 2026. This is a curious inversion: the i3 has a higher aggregate average, yet loses every head-to-head Cinebench test. The explanation lies in the test suite composition. The i3's average includes Geekbench scores (3649 multicore, 1265 single-core), which the i5 does not have in its recorded set. The i5's average is drawn only from Cinebench tests, where it consistently edges ahead. When comparing only the shared workloads, the i5 is the clear winner.

Percentile rankings reinforce the near-parity. The i3-10105T sits at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-1130G7 is at the 45th. These are effectively tied positions in the overall distribution, differing by just one percentile point. The nearest rivals for the i3 include the Intel Core i7-8705G at an identical 2058 average score, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G at 2059 (0.1 percent ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 3 3100 at 2055 (0.2 percent behind). For the i5, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-1145GRE at 2025 (0.1 percent ahead), the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 at 2029 (0.1 percent behind), and the Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 at 2029 (0.1 percent behind). Both chips occupy a crowded performance tier where 1 percent separates them from their nearest neighbors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-1130G7 wins with a score of 7006, beating the Intel Core i3-10105T's 6656 by 5 percent.

Q: Are the core and thread counts different between the two?

A: No. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, making the performance difference purely a matter of architecture and frequency behavior.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i3-10105T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-1130G7 has a TDP of 15 watts. The i5 achieves higher benchmark scores despite a much lower power envelope.

Q: How do their overall percentile rankings compare?

A: The i3-10105T is at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, and the i5-1130G7 is at the 45th percentile, a difference of one point.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth specification for each?

A: The i3-10105T supports 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-1130G7 supports 68.3 GB/s, a substantial difference favoring the i5.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i5-1130G7 boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the i3-10105T boosts to 3.90 GHz.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-1130G7 is the stronger performer in every shared benchmark. Its 5 percent lead across all Cinebench versions, combined with a 15 watt TDP versus the i3's 35 watts, makes it the more efficient choice. The i3-10105T does have a higher average benchmark score overall (2058 versus 2026), but that figure is inflated by Geekbench results that the i5 does not have recorded. In direct competition, the i5 wins outright with six victories and zero losses.

For a user prioritizing raw multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in Cinebench workloads, the i5-1130G7 is the correct pick. For a user who values the i3's desktop socket (Intel Socket 1200) and higher base clock, the i3 remains viable, but the benchmark record shows no scenario where it outperforms the i5. The percentile rankings are effectively tied, so the decision hinges on the specific advantages each platform offers: the i3's desktop form factor and the i5's mobile efficiency.

The i3-10105T's launch MSRP is $134, a figure that can be stated once for reference, but no further pricing analysis applies. The i5 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification except core count, thread count, manufacturer, and memory type. Both use 4 cores and 8 threads, both are made by Intel, and both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration. Beyond that, the differences are substantial.

The i3-10105T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz, while the i5-1130G7 has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost of 4.00 GHz. The TDP difference is stark: 35 watts for the i3, 15 watts for the i5. The socket types are incompatible: the i3 uses Intel Socket 1200 for desktop, the i5 uses Intel BGA 1598 for mobile. Memory bandwidth favors the i5 at 68.3 GB/s versus the i3's 42.7 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: the i3 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, the i5 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are different as well: the i3 has UHD Graphics 630, the i5 has Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The market segments diverge: the i3 is classified as Desktop, the i5 as Mobile. Release dates differ by roughly six months: the i3 launched on 2021-03-15, the i5 on 2020-09-01. The i3 has a recorded part number (SRH3R), while the i5 does not. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. ECC memory support is false for both.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is the core of this comparison. The i3-10105T uses the Comet Lake architecture with the codename Comet Lake-R, built on Intel's 14 nm process node. The i5-1130G7 uses Tiger Lake with the codename Tiger Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. This process shrink is a primary factor in the i5's efficiency advantage: it delivers higher performance at less than half the TDP.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The i3 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5's larger L2 cache is particularly notable, as it is nearly five times larger per core than the i3's. This expanded cache likely contributes to the i5's consistent 5 percent lead in single-threaded tests, where cache latency and capacity directly influence performance.

The generation labels reflect the architectural divide: the i3 is listed as Core i3 (Comet Lake), while the i5 is Core i5 (Willow Cove-U). The foundry is the same (Intel), and neither chip uses 3D V-Cache. The i5's integrated graphics are also more advanced (Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU versus UHD Graphics 630), which aligns with its newer architecture and smaller process node.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1130G7 wins in every benchmark category recorded: all six Cinebench tests, covering R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore variants. Its wins are consistent at 5 to 5.1 percent margins, indicating a broad performance advantage across both lightly threaded and fully threaded workloads. The i5 also wins on efficiency metrics: lower TDP (15 watts versus 35), higher memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s versus 42.7), and newer PCIe support (Gen 4 versus Gen 3). For users in mobile or compact systems, the i5's BGA socket and low power draw make it the natural fit.

The Intel Core i3-10105T does not win a single head-to-head benchmark. Its advantages are contextual rather than performance-based. It uses a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1200), which allows for standard desktop motherboards and potentially easier cooling solutions. Its higher base clock of 3.00 GHz suggests stronger sustained frequency behavior under load, though the benchmark data shows this does not translate into superior results. The i3 also has a higher average benchmark score overall (2058 versus 2026), but this is due to the inclusion of Geekbench scores in its average, not to any actual head-to-head victory. Its 14 nm process and older Comet Lake architecture place it behind the i5 in every measured workload.

For a desktop builder who requires a standard LGA 1200 motherboard, the i3-10105T is the only choice between these two. For anyone prioritizing benchmark performance, power efficiency, or memory throughput, the i5-1130G7 is the definitive winner according to the recorded data.