Intel Core i3-1115G4 vs Intel Core i9-9960X Comparison

This comparison pits two completely different Intel designs against each other: the Core i9-9960X, a 16-core desktop flagship from the Skylake-X era, and the Core i3-1115G4, a 2-core mobile part built on Tiger Lake. The data shows they occupy different corners of the market, with the i9 aimed at heavy desktop workloads and the i3 designed for thin-and-light laptops. While the benchmark results are lopsided, each chip has a clear purpose based on its specifications and performance profile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i9-9960X wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margin varies wildly depending on the test. In multi-core workloads, the i9’s advantage is overwhelming. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9 scores 25120 against the i3’s 4933, a delta of 409.2%. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i9’s 10550 dwarfs the i3’s 2071, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9 posts 2532 versus 497. These results translate to a 409.5% lead in R15 and a 409.4% lead in R20, showing that the i9’s 16 cores and 32 threads simply run away from the i3’s 2 cores and 4 threads in any parallel workload.

The single-core picture is more nuanced, though still favoring the i9. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9 scores 3546 against the i3’s 696, a 409.5% difference. That gap is surprisingly large for a single-threaded test, given that the i3 has a newer architecture and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The i9’s 4.50 GHz boost clock helps, but the i3’s Tiger Lake design should theoretically be more efficient per clock. The data, however, shows the i9 winning by a wide margin in every Cinebench single-core test, including a 410% lead in R15 single-core (357 vs 70) and a 409.9% lead in R20 single-core (1489 vs 292).

Geekbench tells a different story. In Geekbench multi-core, the i9 scores 10512 against the i3’s 2465, a 326.5% advantage. That is still a massive win, but smaller than the Cinebench margins, suggesting the i3’s newer architecture helps it close the gap slightly in certain multi-threaded scenarios. In Geekbench single-core, the difference collapses to just 5%. The i9 scores 1396 and the i3 scores 1330, making this the closest contest in the entire comparison. This result indicates that in light, single-threaded tasks, the i3 can nearly match the i9, despite having a much lower TDP and fewer cores.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i9-9960X wins decisively in every benchmark category that involves heavy processing. Its 16 cores and 32 threads make it the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25120 versus 4933 is a 409.2% lead, which means tasks that scale across cores will finish roughly five times faster on the i9. Similarly, Geekbench multi-core shows a 326.5% advantage, reinforcing that any parallel workload benefits massively from the i9’s core count.

The i9 also wins single-core tests, but the margin is test-dependent. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9 is 409.5% ahead, which is surprising given the i3’s newer architecture. However, in Geekbench single-core, the i9 only leads by 5%, suggesting that the i3’s Tiger Lake cores are competitive when the workload is light and doesn’t trigger the i9’s higher power draw. For everyday tasks like web browsing or office applications, the i3 can hold its own, but the i9 still takes the win.

The Core i3-1115G4 wins in the practical sense of power efficiency and portability. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the i9’s 165 W TDP, making it suitable for laptops where heat and battery life matter. The i3 also has integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i9 has none, so the i3 can handle basic graphics tasks without a discrete GPU. In PassMark tests, the i3 shows strength in data compression (62444) and integer math (17472), but those numbers have no direct comparison to the i9, as the i9 lacks PassMark results in the fact pack. The i3’s wins are not in raw performance, but in its ability to function in a mobile form factor with minimal power draw.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and target entirely different platforms. The Core i9-9960X uses the Skylake-X architecture, built on a 14 nm process with a die size of 484 mm². It has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 22 MB of shared L3. The i9 supports DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration, offering 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. It is designed for the Intel Socket 2066 platform and has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The i9 was released in October 2018 and is now end-of-life.

The Core i3-1115G4 is based on the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Tiger Lake-U variant, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm². It has only 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its cache configuration is smaller: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i3 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in a dual-channel configuration, with no memory bandwidth figure listed in the fact pack. It provides only 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, a significant reduction compared to the i9. The i3 is soldered to Intel BGA 1449, has a locked multiplier, and includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4. It was released in September 2020 and remains active in production.

The architectural difference explains the benchmark gaps. The i9’s Skylake-X design prioritizes raw core count and memory bandwidth for desktop workloads, while the i3’s Tiger Lake design focuses on power efficiency and integrated graphics for mobile use. The i9’s 22 MB of L3 cache is over three times the i3’s 6 MB, which helps in large datasets. The i3’s 10 nm process and newer core design allow it to nearly match the i9 in Geekbench single-core, but the i9’s higher boost clock and larger cache give it the edge in Cinebench single-core tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9960X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core performance?

A: The i9-9960X leads by 409.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (2532 vs 497), 409.4% in R20 multi-core (10550 vs 2071), and 409.2% in R23 multi-core (25120 vs 4933).

Q: Is the i3-1115G4 competitive in single-core tests?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the i3 scores 1330 versus the i9’s 1396, a margin of just 5%. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9 leads by 409.5% (3546 vs 696).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i9-9960X has a TDP of 165 W, while the i3-1115G4 has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the i9-9960X nor the i3-1115G4 supports ECC memory, according to the fact pack.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor have?

A: The i3-1115G4 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i9-9960X has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The Core i9-9960X is the clear performance winner, taking all eight head-to-head benchmarks. It dominates in multi-core tasks with leads of over 400% in Cinebench tests, making it the only choice for heavy rendering, video editing, or any workload that scales across cores. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 22 MB of L3 cache and quad-channel DDR4 memory, deliver 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, which is essential for data-intensive applications. The i9 also wins single-core tests, though the Geekbench single-core result shows a narrow 5% lead, indicating the i3 can compete in light tasks. The i9 is end-of-life and launched with a $1684 MSRP, positioning it as a high-end desktop part for professionals who need maximum throughput.

The Core i3-1115G4 is the sensible choice for mobile users. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops where battery life and heat dissipation are critical. The integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems, and its 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture provides modern efficiency. While it loses every benchmark comparison, the 5% gap in Geekbench single-core shows that for everyday tasks like browsing or document editing, the i3 can feel nearly as responsive as the i9. The i3 is active in production and had a launch MSRP of $281, making it a practical component for budget laptops, despite its low core count.

Choose the i9-9960X if your work demands maximum multi-core performance and you have a desktop platform with Socket 2066. Choose the i3-1115G4 if you need a low-power processor for a portable device and can sacrifice raw speed for efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The i9-9960X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i3-1115G4 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i9’s base clock is 3.10 GHz and boost clock is 4.50 GHz, compared to the i3’s 2.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i9 has a TDP of 165 W, while the i3 has a TDP of 15 W. The i9 uses Intel Socket 2066, whereas the i3 uses Intel BGA 1449. The i9 is built on Skylake (Skylake-X) at 14 nm with a 484 mm² die, while the i3 uses Tiger Lake (Tiger Lake-U) at 10 nm with a 144 mm² die. Cache sizes differ: the i9 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 22 MB shared L3; the i3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with the i9 using DDR4 quad-channel at 85.3 GB/s, and the i3 using DDR4 or LPDDR4X dual-channel with no bandwidth listed. PCIe lanes are 44 Gen 3 on the i9 versus 4 Gen 4 on the i3. The i3 has integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i9 has none. The i9 has an unlocked multiplier; the i3 is locked. The i9 is end-of-life and released in October 2018; the i3 is active and released in September 2020.