Intel Core i3-10110U vs Intel Core i3-1115GRE Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110U and the Intel Core i3-1115GRE are both dual-core mobile processors from Intel, but they represent two distinct generations and design philosophies. The 10110U is a 14 nm Comet Lake part from 2019, while the 1115GRE is a 10 nm Tiger Lake chip from late 2020. Despite the newer architecture and a lower TDP, the 1115GRE does not universally outperform its predecessor. Benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the 1115GRE dominates in multi-core and modern single-core tests, yet the older 10110U posts a staggering win in one specific legacy benchmark. This analysis dissects the architectural shifts, the benchmark deltas, and what the data implies for real-world usage.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1131, compared to the 1115GRE's score of 1127. The delta between the two is minimal, placing them in the same performance tier.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115GRE is the clear winner in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3899, which is 17% higher than the 10110U's 3236. Similar margins are seen in Cinebench R20 (1637 vs 1359) and Cinebench R15 (392 vs 326).

Q: Is the newer 1115GRE faster in every benchmark?

A: No. The 10110U wins decisively in one test: Cinebench R15 single-core. Here, the 10110U scores 162, while the 1115GRE scores only 55, representing a 194.5% difference in favor of the older chip. This is an outlier compared to all other results.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two chips?

A: The 10110U uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the 1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture (Willow Cove cores) on a 10 nm process. The 1115GRE also features a larger L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB) and a bigger die size.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, but only the Intel Core i3-1115GRE supports ECC memory. The 10110U does not have this feature, which is notable for specific embedded or reliability-focused applications.

Q: What is the difference in their power envelopes?

A: The 1115GRE has a significantly lower TDP of 15 watts, compared to the 25-watt TDP of the 10110U. This suggests the newer chip is designed for more power-efficient systems.

Architecture Differences

The shift from Comet Lake to Tiger Lake represents a major architectural leap for Intel. The i3-10110U is built on the 14 nm process node, while the i3-1115GRE utilizes the newer 10 nm node. This process shrink is fundamental to the performance and efficiency differences observed. The 1115GRE's die size is listed at 144 mm², while the 10110U's die size is not specified in the data, but the architectural overhaul is clear from the core design. The 10110U uses the older "Comet Lake-U" microarchitecture, whereas the 1115GRE uses the newer "Willow Cove-U" cores.

This architectural change brings significant cache upgrades to the newer chip. While both have 2 cores and 4 threads, the L1 cache per core increases from 64 KB on the 10110U to 80 KB on the 1115GRE. The L2 cache sees an even more substantial boost, jumping from 256 KB per core to 1.25 MB per core. The shared L3 cache also grows from 4 MB on the 10110U to 6 MB on the 1115GRE. These larger caches likely contribute to the 1115GRE's improved multi-core scores.

Other key differences include memory support. The 10110U supports older DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The 1115GRE also enables a dual-channel memory bus, a feature not listed for the 10110U. Connectivity and platform features also diverge. The 1115GRE is listed with PCIe Gen 4 support with 4 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 10110U has no PCIe data provided. The integrated graphics also differ, with the 10110U featuring standard UHD Graphics and the 1115GRE featuring UHD Graphics G4 with 48 execution units. The 10110U uses socket Intel BGA 1440, while the 1115GRE uses Intel BGA 1449.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data paints a complex picture of performance. The i3-1115GRE wins five out of six benchmark comparisons. In multi-threaded workloads, the newer chip shows a consistent advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 1115GRE scores 392 against the 10110U's 326, a delta of -16.8% (indicating the 10110U is behind). This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1637 vs 1359, a -17% delta) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3899 vs 3236, a -17% delta). This consistency suggests that the architectural improvements in Tiger Lake provide a solid multi-core performance uplift.

The single-core results are more nuanced. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the 1115GRE wins with a score of 231, which is 17.3% higher than the 10110U's 191. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the 1115GRE scores 550, beating the 10110U's 456 by 17.1%. These results align with expectations for a newer architecture with higher boost clocks. However, the Cinebench R15 single-core result is a stark contradiction. Here, the 10110U scores 162, while the 1115GRE scores a mere 55. This gives the 10110U a massive 194.5% advantage. This anomaly is difficult to explain from the provided data alone; it could indicate a driver issue, thermal throttling in the 1115GRE's test environment, or a scoring anomaly in the legacy benchmark. Regardless, it stands as the single biggest performance delta between the two chips.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data, the Intel Core i3-1115GRE is the superior processor for most modern tasks. Its wins in Cinebench R20 and R23, both single and multi-core, indicate a robust and efficient architecture that handles contemporary workloads better. The consistent 17% lead in these tests demonstrates that the 10 nm Tiger Lake design with its larger caches delivers tangible performance benefits over the 14 nm Comet Lake predecessor. The 1115GRE also achieves this with a lower 15-watt TDP, making it a more compelling choice for thin-and-light laptops or embedded systems where power efficiency is paramount.

The i3-10110U's only claim to fame is its bizarre Cinebench R15 single-core score. While this is a significant numerical victory, it appears to be an isolated incident rather than a trend. Relying on a single legacy benchmark to declare an overall winner would be misleading. The data suggests that the 10110U is the weaker chip for sustained and modern workloads. The 1115GRE's higher average benchmark score (1127 vs 1131) is nearly identical, but its wins in the more demanding Cinebench R20 and R23 suites hold more weight. Users seeking raw performance in current applications should choose the 1115GRE. The 10110U might be considered only if a specific software workload relies heavily on the legacy Cinebench R15 single-core metric, which is an improbable scenario.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields. The process node is a primary differentiator: the 10110U is built on 14 nm, while the 1115GRE uses 10 nm. The architecture and codename also differ, with the 10110U being Comet Lake-U and the 1115GRE being Tiger Lake-U (Willow Cove-U). The base clocks are similar, with the 10110U at 2.10 GHz and the 1115GRE at 2.20 GHz, but the boost clock favors the older chip, with the 10110U hitting 4.10 GHz versus the 1115GRE's 3.90 GHz.

The TDP is a significant point of divergence: the 10110U has a 25-watt TDP, while the 1115GRE uses only 15 watts. The socket types are different (BGA 1440 vs BGA 1449). Cache configurations vary, with the 1115GRE having larger L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB per core), L2 (1.25 MB vs 256 KB per core), and L3 (6 MB vs 4 MB) caches. Memory support differs, as the 10110U supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the 1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The 1115GRE also has a dual-channel memory bus, which is not listed for the 10110U. ECC memory support is exclusive to the 1115GRE. The integrated graphics are different, with the 1115GRE featuring UHD Graphics G4 with 48 execution units. The 1115GRE also has a larger die size of 144 mm² and supports PCIe Gen 4 (4 lanes), which is not specified for the 10110U. Finally, the release dates differ, with the 10110U launching in August 2019 and the 1115GRE in September 2020.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark results, the Intel Core i3-1115GRE is the winner in the vast majority of scenarios. It wins in all multi-core tests (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23) and in the R20 and R23 single-core tests. This makes it the clear choice for tasks that leverage modern instruction sets and multi-threaded performance, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. Its lower TDP also makes it more suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs, or for laptops that prioritize battery life. The inclusion of ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity further positions the 1115GRE for embedded and industrial applications that require reliability and modern I/O.

The Intel Core i3-10110U wins in exactly one benchmark: Cinebench R15 single-core. This does not translate to a practical use-case recommendation. It is not a win in multi-threading or modern single-core performance. The 10110U's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz might suggest a slight edge in single-threaded legacy applications, but the data does not support this outside of the anomalous R15 result. Therefore, the 1115GRE is the recommended processor for virtually all use cases, including general productivity, content creation, and embedded systems. The 10110U is the better choice only for that specific legacy benchmark, which is not a reasonable basis for a hardware selection.