Intel Core i3-1115GRE vs Intel Core i3-N300 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1115GRE has 2 cores and 4 threads. The N300 offers four times the core count and double the thread count.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The results are split. In Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests, the N300 leads by 54.5% and 73.6% respectively. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the 1115GRE wins by 6.7%, scoring 550 versus 513.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115GRE has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-N300 boosts to 3.70 GHz. The 1115GRE holds a 0.20 GHz advantage in maximum frequency.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The 1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X with a dual-channel memory bus, though its bandwidth is not recorded.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-1115GRE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-N300 does not. This is a significant differentiator for reliability-focused workloads.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each chip?

A: The N300 has an average benchmark score of 1135, and the 1115GRE has an average score of 1127. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, making them statistically equivalent overall.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-N300 establishes dominance in legacy multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench loads. It wins 4 of the 6 head-to-head benchmarks, with its largest margins in Cinebench R20 multi-core (74% ahead) and single-core (73.6% ahead). The N300 also leads in R15 multi-core by 6.1% and R15 single-core by 54.5%. This pattern suggests the N300 excels in older rendering workloads and tasks that scale well across its 8 physical cores.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE takes the newer Cinebench R23 tests. It wins multi-core by 34.7% (3899 versus 2546) and single-core by 6.7% (550 versus 513). This indicates the 1115GRE benefits from architectural improvements in the latest benchmark iteration, likely leveraging its higher boost clock and Tiger Lake microarchitecture. For users running current-generation rendering software, the 1115GRE is the stronger choice.

Use-case split: the N300 suits workloads relying on older Cinebench versions or heavily threaded legacy applications, while the 1115GRE is preferable for modern Cinebench R23 tasks. The data shows no scenario where both chips win the same test, so the choice depends entirely on which benchmark generation matters more.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-N300 is built on the Gracemont architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, using a 10 nm process. It features 8 cores with 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per module, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The N300 has a 7 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket. Its integrated graphics is the UHD Graphics 770.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE is based on the Tiger Lake-U architecture with Willow Cove cores, also on a 10 nm process. It has 2 cores with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 144 mm², and the TDP is 15 W. It uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket and integrates the UHD Graphics G4 48EU.

The N300's Gracemont cores are efficiency-oriented, designed for low power consumption. The 1115GRE's Willow Cove cores target higher per-core performance with a higher TDP. The N300 packs more cores and more total cache, while the 1115GRE relies on fewer, faster cores. The 1115GRE supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the N300. PCIe support also differs: the N300 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes, whereas the 1115GRE provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on core and thread counts: 8 cores and 8 threads for the N300 versus 2 cores and 4 threads for the 1115GRE. Base clocks differ significantly, with the N300 at 100.00 MHz (effectively a placeholder) versus the 1115GRE at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the 1115GRE at 3.90 GHz versus the N300 at 3.70 GHz.

TDP is a major split: the N300 draws 7 W, while the 1115GRE draws 15 W. Sockets differ (BGA 1264 versus BGA 1449). Memory support varies: the N300 uses DDR4/DDR5 with single-channel 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the 1115GRE uses DDR4/LPDDR4X with dual-channel and no recorded bandwidth. ECC support is exclusive to the 1115GRE. PCIe lanes differ: 9 lanes of Gen 3 for the N300 versus 4 lanes of Gen 4 for the 1115GRE. Integrated graphics differ, with the N300 featuring UHD Graphics 770 and the 1115GRE featuring UHD Graphics G4 48EU. Release dates are over two years apart: the N300 launched on 2023-01-02, and the 1115GRE on 2020-09-01.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core i3-N300 comes in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it scores 2849 against the 1115GRE's 1637, a 74% advantage. This result reflects the N300's 8-core design, which scales well in heavily threaded workloads. The single-core R20 test shows a similar trend, with the N300 at 401 versus 231, a 73.6% lead. These are the two most decisive victories in the comparison.

In Cinebench R15, the N300 wins multi-core by 6.1% (416 versus 392) and single-core by 54.5% (85 versus 55). The single-core margin is substantial, though the absolute scores are low for both chips, indicating modest performance in this older test.

The Intel Core i3-1115GRE claims its biggest win in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 3899 versus the N300's 2546, a 34.7% lead. This is a remarkable reversal, given the N300's dominance in R20 multi-core. The 1115GRE also wins R23 single-core by 6.7% (550 versus 513). The R23 results suggest the 1115GRE's Willow Cove architecture and higher boost clock provide a tangible benefit in the newest benchmark iteration, even with fewer cores.

Overall, the N300 wins 4 benchmarks with an average delta of 38.4% across those wins. The 1115GRE wins 2 benchmarks with an average delta of 20.7%. The N300's wins are more numerous and larger, but the 1115GRE's R23 multi-core victory is the single most impactful result due to the benchmark's modern relevance.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split verdict. For users running Cinebench R15 or R20 workloads, the Intel Core i3-N300 is the definitive choice. It leads by 6.1% to 74% across those four tests, and its 8-core configuration provides a substantial advantage in multi-threaded rendering. The N300 also delivers these results at a 7 W TDP, less than half the 1115GRE's 15 W TDP, making it the efficiency leader.

For users working with Cinebench R23, the Intel Core i3-1115GRE is the better option. Its 34.7% multi-core win and 6.7% single-core win indicate that modern benchmark iterations favor its architecture. The 1115GRE also offers ECC memory support and a dual-channel memory bus, which the N300 lacks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1135 versus 1127), and both chips sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. This parity in overall performance means the decision should rest on specific workload requirements. If legacy Cinebench versions or low power consumption matter, choose the N300. If current-generation Cinebench R23 performance or ECC support is critical, choose the 1115GRE. The N300's launch MSRP is $309, while the 1115GRE's launch MSRP is $338, but the recorded data shows no clear overall winner, only different strengths per benchmark generation.