Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct comparison between the Intel Core i3-1125G4 and the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 shows a decisive but not absolute advantage for the i3-1125G4. Out of eight recorded benchmark tests, the i3-1125G4 takes seven wins, while the i5-1038NG7 secures a single, notable victory. The margins are consistent across most Cinebench tests, but the Geekbench multicore result flips the expected narrative.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-1125G4 scores 792 against 750 for the i5-1038NG7, a 5.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 111 versus 105, a 5.7% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i3-1125G4 posts 3301 in multicore compared to 3125, again a 5.6% delta. Its single-core R20 result of 465 versus 441 represents a 5.4% edge. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the i3-1125G4 records 7860 multicore and 1109 single-core, against 7441 and 1050 for the i5-1038NG7, both at a 5.6% delta. These Cinebench results indicate a uniform advantage across the rendering workload family, with the i3-1125G4 consistently ahead by roughly five and a half percent.

The single Geekbench multicore test breaks the trend. Here, the i5-1038NG7 scores 4919 against 4509 for the i3-1125G4, an 8.3% margin in favor of the older part. This is the largest delta in either direction across the entire benchmark set. In contrast, the Geekbench single-core test shows the i3-1125G4 ahead at 1461 versus 1354, a 7.9% lead, which is the second-largest margin recorded. The divergence between the two Geekbench tests is striking: the i5-1038NG7 wins by a wide margin in multicore but loses by an even wider margin in single-core. The i3-1125G4's average benchmark score sits at 2451, while the i5-1038NG7 averages 2398. Both CPUs occupy the 48th percentile among all processors in the database, meaning their overall standing is effectively identical despite the internal benchmark differences.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is the stronger choice for Cinebench-based workloads. Across all six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multicore variants, it leads by margins between 5.4% and 5.7%. This consistency suggests a broad advantage in sustained CPU rendering tasks, whether those tasks are lightly threaded or fully parallel. The Cinebench R23 multicore result of 7860 versus 7441 is particularly relevant for modern rendering and 3D modeling applications, as this test reflects heavy multi-threaded load behavior.

The i3-1125G4 also wins the Geekbench single-core test with 1461 against 1354, a 7.9% advantage. This result indicates that for single-threaded productivity tasks, such as spreadsheet operations, web browsing, or legacy software that relies on one core, the i3-1125G4 delivers noticeably faster performance. The Geekbench single-core score is the strongest relative win for the i3-1125G4 across the entire benchmark suite.

The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 wins only one test, but it is a meaningful one. Its Geekbench multicore score of 4919 versus 4509 gives it an 8.3% lead, the largest margin of any comparison in this matchup. This suggests that in certain multi-threaded synthetic workloads, particularly those modeled by Geekbench's integer and floating-point parallel tests, the i5-1038NG7 can outperform the i3-1125G4 despite losing all Cinebench tests. The discrepancy likely reflects different workload sensitivities, but the measured data is clear: users running applications whose threading behavior mirrors Geekbench's multicore portion would see better results on the i5-1038NG7.

For users prioritizing rendering, video encoding, or compilation workloads that align with Cinebench, the i3-1125G4 is the clear winner. For users whose applications resemble Geekbench's multicore workload mix, the i5-1038NG7 holds the advantage. The overall average scores put the i3-1125G4 ahead at 2451 versus 2398, a difference of roughly 2.2%, but the per-test variance means the best choice depends on the specific software environment.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is built on Tiger Lake, specifically the Tiger Lake-U platform, and uses Willow Cove cores. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 is based on Ice Lake, specifically Ice Lake-U, and uses Sunny Cove cores. Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, so the transistor fabrication technology is identical. The die sizes differ notably: the i3-1125G4 has a die size of 144 mm², while the i5-1038NG7 is smaller at 123 mm².

Cache hierarchies show significant differences. Both CPUs have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache allocation diverges sharply. The i3-1125G4 provides 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i5-1038NG7 offers only 256 KB per core. This is a five-fold difference in per-core L2 capacity. The shared L3 cache also differs: the i3-1125G4 has 8 MB shared, while the i5-1038NG7 has 6 MB shared. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the i3-1125G4 likely contribute to its single-core performance advantage, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

Memory support also differs. The i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the i5-1038NG7 supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-1038NG7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while no specific bandwidth figure is listed for the i3-1125G4 in the database. This is notable because the i5-1038NG7's higher memory bandwidth, combined with its lower cache capacity, may explain its Geekbench multicore win. PCIe support also differs: the i3-1125G4 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-1038NG7 offers PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-1125G4 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i5-1038NG7 uses Iris Plus. This indicates a generational upgrade in the i3-1125G4's integrated GPU, potentially offering better media and display capabilities, though no benchmark data is provided for graphics performance.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both CPUs have 4 cores and 8 threads. Both share the same base clock of 2000.00 MHz. The boost clock differs slightly, with the i3-1125G4 reaching 3.70 GHz and the i5-1038NG7 reaching 3.80 GHz, giving the i5-1038NG7 a 100 MHz higher maximum frequency. The thermal design power (TDP) differs substantially: the i3-1125G4 is rated at 15 watts, while the i5-1038NG7 is rated at 28 watts. This higher power envelope for the i5-1038NG7 may explain its ability to sustain higher clock speeds in some scenarios, though it also implies higher power consumption and potentially greater cooling requirements.

The sockets are different. The i3-1125G4 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the i5-1038NG7 uses Intel BGA 1344. These are not interchangeable, so system compatibility is determined by the motherboard socket. The memory support differs as noted above: the i3-1125G4 accepts DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i5-1038NG7 accepts only DDR4. The i5-1038NG7 lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the i3-1125G4 does not have a specified bandwidth figure in the database.

Neither processor supports ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates differ: the i3-1125G4 was released on 2021-03-30, while the i5-1038NG7 was released on 2020-05-03, making the i3-1125G4 roughly ten months newer. The i3-1125G4 had a launch MSRP of $281, while the i5-1038NG7 had a launch MSRP of $320. Both processors are marked as end-of-life. The part numbers are SRK8S for the i3-1125G4 and SRG0V for the i5-1038NG7. The i3-1125G4's generation is listed as Core i3 (Willow Cove-U), while the i5-1038NG7's generation is listed as Core i5 (Sunny Cove-U).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 has a higher boost clock at 3.80 GHz, compared to 3.70 GHz for the Intel Core i3-1125G4. Both have the same base clock of 2000.00 MHz.

Q: Why does the i5-1038NG7 win the Geekbench multicore test despite losing all Cinebench tests?

A: The i5-1038NG7 scores 4919 in Geekbench multicore versus 4509 for the i3-1125G4, an 8.3% lead. This is the only test the i5-1038NG7 wins. The result likely reflects workload-specific behavior, but the database shows the i5-1038NG7 has higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s) and a higher TDP (28 watts versus 15 watts), which may contribute to its multicore performance in that specific test.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare between the two CPUs?

A: Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The i3-1125G4 has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1038NG7 has 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-1125G4 has substantially more cache at every level beyond L1.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i3-1125G4 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the i5-1038NG7 uses Intel BGA 1344. These are different sockets and are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of these CPUs in the database?

A: Both processors sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs. The i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, while the i5-1038NG7 has an average benchmark score of 2398, a difference of about 2.2% in favor of the i3-1125G4.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The i3-1125G4 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-1038NG7 supports PCIe Gen 3. This gives the i3-1125G4 a newer PCIe generation for compatible devices.