Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-10500 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a genuinely split decision between the Intel Core i3-1125G4 and the Intel Core i5-10500, with each processor dominating in different workloads. The Core i5-10500 wins the majority of the head-to-head tests, taking 6 of 8 comparisons, but the Core i3-1125G4 delivers two decisive victories that cannot be ignored. In Cinebench tests, the Core i5-10500 consistently leads by roughly 9.5% across both single-core and multi-core workloads. However, in Geekbench, the Core i3-1125G4 turns the tables dramatically, finishing 33.4% ahead in multi-core and 30.8% ahead in single-core. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Core i3-1125G4 at 2451 and the Core i5-10500 at 2446, a difference of just 0.2%. Both processors sit at the 48th percentile of all CPUs. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering performance, the Core i5-10500 is the clear choice. For those whose workloads align with Geekbench's testing methodology, the Core i3-1125G4 offers a substantial advantage. The Core i5-10500 is an active desktop part with a 65W TDP, while the Core i3-1125G4 is an end-of-life mobile processor with a 15W TDP, making the comparison particularly relevant for users choosing between a desktop build and a mobile platform.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel architectures. The Core i3-1125G4 is built on Tiger Lake-U, using the Willow Cove microarchitecture on a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake architecture, based on the older Skylake-derived design, manufactured on a 14 nm process. The process node difference is significant, as the 10 nm Tiger Lake design allows for a smaller die at 144 mm², while the Comet Lake die size is not listed in the data. The core configurations differ substantially, with the Core i3-1125G4 featuring 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5-10500 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i5-10500 compensates for its older architecture with two additional physical cores. Cache hierarchies also differ notably. The Core i3-1125G4 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i5-10500 has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache. Memory support differs as well, with the Core i3-1125G4 supporting both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the Core i5-10500 supports only DDR4. The Core i5-10500 has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core i3-1125G4's bandwidth is not specified. PCIe support also differs, with the Core i3-1125G4 offering Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Core i5-10500 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are another differentiator, with the Core i3-1125G4 featuring Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 and the Core i5-10500 using UHD Graphics 630. The socket types are entirely different, with the mobile BGA 1449 on the Tiger Lake part and the desktop Socket 1200 on the Comet Lake part. Production status also separates them, as the Core i3-1125G4 is end-of-life while the Core i5-10500 remains active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, which is just 5 points higher than the Core i5-10500's 2446. This represents a 0.2% difference in favor of the Core i3-1125G4, with both CPUs placing at the 48th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Core i5-10500 leads in all Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 875 versus 792 for the Core i3-1125G4, a 9.5% advantage. The margin is identical in Cinebench R20 (3648 vs 3301) and Cinebench R23 (8686 vs 7860), both showing a 9.5% lead for the Core i5-10500.

Q: Where does the Core i3-1125G4 show its biggest advantage?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 dominates in Geekbench tests. In multi-core Geekbench, it scores 4509 versus 3381 for the Core i5-10500, a 33.4% advantage. In single-core Geekbench, it scores 1461 versus 1117, a 30.8% lead. These are the only two tests where the Core i3-1125G4 wins.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each processor?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5-10500 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i5-10500 provides 50% more cores and 50% more threads than the Core i3-1125G4.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i5-10500 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, compared to 3.70 GHz for the Core i3-1125G4. The base clocks also favor the Core i5-10500 at 3.10 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for the Core i3-1125G4.

Q: How do the TDP ratings differ between the two processors?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core i5-10500 has a TDP of 65 watts. This reflects their different market segments, with the Core i3-1125G4 designed for mobile platforms and the Core i5-10500 for desktop systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Core i3-1125G4 features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i5-10500 features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clock speeds are 2000.00 MHz for the Core i3-1125G4 and 3.10 GHz for the Core i5-10500. Boost clocks are 3.70 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. The TDP is 15 watts for the Core i3-1125G4 and 65 watts for the Core i5-10500. Socket compatibility is entirely different, with the Core i3-1125G4 using Intel BGA 1449 and the Core i5-10500 using Intel Socket 1200. The architectures are Tiger Lake versus Comet Lake, with process nodes of 10 nm and 14 nm respectively. The die size is 144 mm² for the Core i3-1125G4, while the Core i5-10500's die size is not listed. Cache configurations differ across all levels: L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the Core i3-1125G4 versus 64 KB per core on the Core i5-10500; L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core versus 256 KB per core; L3 cache is 8 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support differs, with the Core i3-1125G4 supporting DDR4 and LPDDR4X while the Core i5-10500 supports only DDR4. The Core i5-10500 has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Core i3-1125G4's bandwidth is not specified. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 16 lanes on the Core i3-1125G4 versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Core i5-10500. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 on the Core i3-1125G4 and UHD Graphics 630 on the Core i5-10500. Market segments are Mobile for the Core i3-1125G4 and Desktop for the Core i5-10500. Production status shows the Core i3-1125G4 as end-of-life and the Core i5-10500 as active. The release dates are 2021-03-30 for the Core i3-1125G4 and 2020-04-29 for the Core i5-10500. The Core i3-1125G4 has a launch MSRP of $281, while the Core i5-10500 has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results tell a story of two very different benchmark philosophies. The Core i5-10500 wins 6 of the 8 comparisons, but the margins and the nature of the losses paint a nuanced picture. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i5-10500 scores 875 against 792 for the Core i3-1125G4, a 9.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar, with the Core i5-10500 at 123 versus 111, a 9.8% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the Core i5-10500 at 3648 versus 3301, again a 9.5% margin. The R20 single-core test follows the pattern, with 514 versus 465, a 9.5% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core continues the trend, with 8686 versus 7860, a 9.5% advantage for the Core i5-10500. The R23 single-core test shows 1226 versus 1109, another 9.5% lead. These six Cinebench results are remarkably consistent, with the Core i5-10500 maintaining a nearly identical advantage across all tests. This consistency suggests that the Core i5-10500's additional cores and higher clock speeds provide a uniform benefit in Cinebench workloads. The story changes dramatically in Geekbench, however. The Core i3-1125G4 scores 4509 in multi-core Geekbench versus 3381 for the Core i5-10500, a 33.4% advantage. In single-core Geekbench, the Core i3-1125G4 scores 1461 versus 1117, a 30.8% lead. These are substantial margins, far larger than the Core i5-10500's Cinebench advantage. The Geekbench results suggest that the Tiger Lake architecture's newer design, despite having fewer cores and lower clock speeds, provides a significant efficiency advantage in certain workloads. The average benchmark scores reflect this split, with the Core i3-1125G4 at 2451 and the Core i5-10500 at 2446, a difference of only 0.2%. The nearest rival data shows both processors positioned closely among similar CPUs, with the Core i3-1125G4's nearest rival being the Intel Core i5-8600 at a -0.1% delta, and the Core i5-10500's nearest rival being the Intel Xeon D-1541 at a -0.1% delta. Both processors sit at the same 48th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that despite their architectural differences, they occupy a similar performance tier overall.