Intel Core i3-10305T vs Intel Core i5-1035G7 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark standing?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G7 holds a 44th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Intel Core i3-10305T sits at the 43rd percentile. The i5 also carries a higher average benchmark score of 1948 versus 1922 for the i3.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G7 wins all three multi-core tests, with margins of 1.3% in Cinebench R15 (678 vs 669), 1.4% in R20 (2829 vs 2791), and 1.3% in R23 (6736 vs 6647).

Q: Are the single-core results close between these two?

A: Yes, the i5-1035G7 leads by 1.1% in R15 (95 vs 94), 1.5% in R20 (399 vs 393), and 1.4% in R23 (951 vs 938). The largest single-core gap is just 6 points in R20.

Q: What are the architectural differences between them?

A: The i5-1035G7 uses Ice Lake-U (Sunny Cove-U) on a 10 nm process with a 123 mm² die, while the i3-10305T uses Comet Lake-R on a 14 nm process. L1 cache differs at 80 KB per core for the i5 versus 64 KB per core for the i3.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the i5-1035G7 has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s compared to 42.7 GB/s for the i3-10305T.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i3-10305T boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the i5-1035G7 reaches 3.70 GHz. The i3 also has a much higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 1.20 GHz for the i5.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from separate Intel design lineages. The i5-1035G7 is built on the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Sunny Cove-U core design, fabricated on a 10 nm process node. This is a mobile-oriented chip with a die size of 123 mm². In contrast, the i3-10305T belongs to the Comet Lake-R family, using the older Comet Lake core design on a 14 nm process. The process node difference is significant: the i5 uses a smaller manufacturing process, which typically yields better power efficiency, while the i3 uses a more mature but larger node.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L1 and L3 levels. The i5-1035G7 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, while the i3-10305T provides 64 KB per core. Both have 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache favors the i3 at 8 MB versus 6 MB on the i5. This means the i3 has a larger pool of shared cache for frequently accessed data, which can help in certain workloads despite its older core design.

Socket and market segment clearly separate these parts. The i5-1035G7 uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket, which is soldered onto motherboards for laptops and compact mobile systems. Its market segment is explicitly Mobile. The i3-10305T uses Intel Socket 1200 for desktop platforms, and its market segment is Desktop. The i3 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5 lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5 carries Iris Plus graphics, while the i3 has UHD Graphics 630.

Power characteristics also diverge. The i5-1035G7 has a TDP of 15 watts, typical for ultraportable mobile processors. The i3-10305T has a TDP of 35 watts, more in line with desktop chips that have greater thermal headroom. The i3 compensates with substantially higher clock speeds: a 3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, versus 1.20 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost on the i5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either.

Release timing separates them by roughly 20 months. The i5-1035G7 was released in July 2019, while the i3-10305T came in March 2021. Both remain in active production. The i3 carries a launch MSRP of $143; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i5. Part numbers are SRGKJ for the i5 and SRH3M for the i3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the i5-1035G7 across all six Cinebench tests, though the margins are consistently narrow. The largest multi-core advantage appears in Cinebench R20, where the i5 scores 2829 against 2791, a 1.4% lead. In R15 multi-core, the i5 posts 678 versus 669, a 1.3% edge. The R23 multi-core result is nearly identical in percentage: 6736 for the i5 against 6647 for the i3, again a 1.3% gap.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. The i5 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 95 points against 94, a 1.1% margin. In R20 single-core, the i5 reaches 399 versus 393, the largest single-core delta at 1.5%. R23 single-core shows 951 for the i5 and 938 for the i3, a 1.4% difference. Across all tests, the i5 wins 6 benchmarks and the i3 wins none.

These percentages tell a story of near parity. The i3 has a 300 MHz boost clock advantage and a much higher base clock, yet it still trails in every rendering workload measured. This suggests the i5's newer Sunny Cove core architecture and larger L1 cache offset the clock speed deficit. The i3's larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) does not appear to translate into a performance win in these particular Cinebench workloads.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head results. The i5 averages 1948 points, while the i3 averages 1922, a difference of 26 points. The i5's nearest rivals cluster tightly: the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 sits just 0.1% behind at 1947, and the Intel Core i7-8709G is 0.1% ahead at 1950. The i3's nearest rivals are similarly close, with the Intel Core i7-6700T at 1918 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i7-1180G7 at 1930 (0.4% ahead). Both processors sit in a dense performance band where small architectural changes can flip rankings.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ across several key specification fields. Core and thread counts are identical at 4 cores and 8 threads, so the comparison rests on other factors. Base clocks differ substantially: the i5 runs at 1.20 GHz, while the i3 runs at 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the i3 at 4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz for the i5. TDP is a major differentiator: 15 watts for the i5 versus 35 watts for the i3.

Process node and die size show the manufacturing gap. The i5 uses 10 nm with a 123 mm² die, while the i3 uses 14 nm with no die size recorded. Cache differs in L1 (80 KB vs 64 KB per core) and L3 (6 MB vs 8 MB shared), while L2 remains equal at 256 KB per core. Memory bandwidth favors the i5 at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the i3. Socket types are entirely different: BGA 1526 for the i5 and Socket 1200 for the i3.

Integrated graphics differ by name: Iris Plus on the i5 versus UHD Graphics 630 on the i3. PCIe support lists Gen 3 for both, but the i3 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i5 does not. Market segments are Mobile for the i5 and Desktop for the i3. Release dates are July 2019 for the i5 and March 2021 for the i3. The i3 has a recorded launch MSRP of $143, while the i5 has none. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the i5-1035G7 as the better performer in every measured Cinebench test, but the margins are slim enough that the choice depends heavily on the intended platform. The i5 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with deltas ranging from 1.1% to 1.5%. Its average benchmark score of 1948 also exceeds the i3's 1922. For pure rendering performance as measured by Cinebench, the i5 is the pick.

However, the i3-10305T offers a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz and a base clock of 3.00 GHz, which could translate to snappier responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that do not scale to all cores. Its larger 8 MB L3 cache may also benefit workloads with high cache reuse. The i3 targets desktop systems with a 35 watt TDP, while the i5 targets mobile platforms with a 15 watt TDP. Users building a desktop system would naturally choose the i3, while those seeking a laptop processor would select the i5.

The percentile rankings place the i5 at 44 and the i3 at 43, confirming that both sit in the same performance tier. Neither chip dominates the other by a wide margin. The i5's architectural advantages, namely the 10 nm process and larger L1 cache, appear to overcome the i3's clock speed and L3 cache advantages in these specific workloads. The verdict is straightforward: the i5-1035G7 is the faster chip in Cinebench rendering, but the i3-10305T is the appropriate desktop part with its own strengths.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1035G7 wins in all measured multi-core rendering workloads. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores all favor the i5, with margins between 1.3% and 1.4%. This makes it the better choice for applications that stress all available cores, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks. The i5 also leads in every single-core test, though the differences are small (1.1% to 1.5%). Its higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the i3 could benefit memory-intensive workloads beyond Cinebench.

The i3-10305T wins in no benchmark tests recorded in the head-to-head data. However, its specification sheet suggests advantages in certain scenarios. The 3.00 GHz base clock means it maintains high frequency even under sustained load, whereas the i5's 1.20 GHz base clock requires boost operation to reach competitive speeds. For desktop users who need consistent clock behavior without relying on boost algorithms, the i3 may feel more predictable. The larger 8 MB L3 cache could help in database workloads or scientific simulations that repeatedly access a working set larger than 6 MB.

The i3 also has the advantage of a desktop socket (Socket 1200), which allows for easier upgrades and cooling solutions compared to the mobile BGA 1526 socket of the i5. Its 35 watt TDP, while higher, is well within the capability of standard desktop coolers. The i5's 15 watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or ultra-thin designs, but limits sustained performance in thermally constrained environments. For users choosing between these two, the i5 wins on measured performance, while the i3 wins on platform flexibility and raw clock speed specifications.