Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-9500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-9500T and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 represent two very different design philosophies: a low-power desktop part from the Coffee Lake era versus a mobile processor built on Tiger Lake. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, where the older desktop chip consistently leads in Cinebench workloads, yet the newer mobile chip counters decisively in Geekbench. This head-to-head analysis quantifies those differences across eight distinct tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the i5-9500T’s clean sweep of all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-9500T scores 832 against the i3-1125G4’s 792, a 5.1% advantage. That same 5.1% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (3470 vs 3301) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (8264 vs 7860), showing a consistent edge in sustained multi-threaded rendering tasks. The single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story: the i5-9500T leads by 5.4% in R15 (117 vs 111) and by 5.2% in R20 (489 vs 465), with R23 single-core showing a 5.1% gap (1166 vs 1109). These margins are tight but remarkably uniform, suggesting the i5-9500T’s higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus the i3-1125G4’s 2000.00 MHz provides a steady advantage in this benchmark suite.

However, the picture flips entirely when examining Geekbench results. The i3-1125G4 wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 4509 against 4407, a 2.3% margin. The single-core Geekbench gap is far more pronounced: the i3-1125G4 scores 1461 versus 1198, an 18% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and signals a fundamental architectural edge for the newer chip in certain workloads. The i5-9500T wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, but the two Geekbench wins for the i3-1125G4 are substantial enough to warrant close attention.

Looking at overall standing, the i5-9500T holds a 49th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the i3-1125G4 sits at the 48th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close: 2493 for the i5-9500T and 2451 for the i3-1125G4. The nearest rivals for the i5-9500T include the Intel Core i5-1155G7 (avgScore 2496, deltaPct -0.1) and the Intel Core i3-12100TE (avgScore 2475, deltaPct 0.7). For the i3-1125G4, the closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-8600 (avgScore 2454, deltaPct -0.1). These figures place both chips in the same performance tier overall, despite their divergent test-by-test results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes and microarchitectures. The i5-9500T uses Intel’s 14 nm process with the Coffee Lake architecture, part of the Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation. The i3-1125G4, by contrast, is fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm node with the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically the Tiger Lake-U codename and Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) generation. This newer process node is part of why the i3-1125G4 excels in Geekbench single-core despite its lower Cinebench scores.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-9500T offers 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i3-1125G4 provides 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-9500T’s extra two physical cores likely explain its consistent Cinebench multi-core wins, as rendering workloads scale well with core count. The i3-1125G4’s hyper-threading (8 threads on 4 cores) cannot fully compensate for the two fewer physical cores in these tests.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i5-9500T has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-1125G4 carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the i3-1125G4 may contribute to its strong single-core Geekbench performance. The die size of the i3-1125G4 is listed at 144 mm², while no die size is provided for the i5-9500T.

Platform and memory support also separate the two. The i5-9500T uses the Intel Socket 1151 for desktop systems, while the i3-1125G4 uses the BGA 1449 socket for mobile applications. The i5-9500T supports DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, whereas the i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X with dual-channel memory but no listed bandwidth figure. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the i5-9500T offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-1125G4 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the i5-9500T uses UHD Graphics 630, while the i3-1125G4 uses Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-9500T wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 variants. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 wins the remaining 2 tests, which are Geekbench multi-core and single-core.

Q: How large is the Geekbench single-core gap between the two chips?

A: The i3-1125G4 scores 1461 in Geekbench single-core, which is 18% higher than the i5-9500T’s score of 1198. This is the largest percentage difference across all eight benchmark comparisons.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?

A: The i5-9500T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i3-1125G4 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-9500T has more physical cores, while the i3-1125G4 relies on hyper-threading to reach its thread count.

Q: Do both processors share the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The i5-9500T uses a 14 nm process with the Coffee Lake architecture, whereas the i3-1125G4 uses a 10 nm process with the Tiger Lake architecture. The i3-1125G4’s 10 nm node is newer.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two CPUs?

A: The i5-9500T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 watts. The mobile-oriented i3-1125G4 is rated for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-9500T has an average benchmark score of 2493, compared to 2451 for the i3-1125G4. The i5-9500T also holds a 49th percentile ranking versus the i3-1125G4’s 48th percentile.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear tradeoff between legacy desktop power efficiency and newer mobile architecture. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering, the i5-9500T is the stronger choice, winning every Cinebench test by roughly 5%. Its two additional physical cores provide a consistent advantage across all three Cinebench versions, from R15 to R23. The i5-9500T also leads in average benchmark score (2493 vs 2451) and holds a higher percentile ranking (49 vs 48).

However, the i3-1125G4 is not simply a weaker chip. Its 18% lead in Geekbench single-core suggests superior per-core efficiency, likely stemming from its newer 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture and larger per-core L2 cache (1.25 MB vs 256 KB). The i3-1125G4 also wins Geekbench multi-core by 2.3%, indicating that its 8 threads on 4 cores can outperform 6 physical cores in that specific workload. The lower TDP of 15 watts, versus 35 watts for the i5-9500T, makes the i3-1125G4 a more suitable option for power-constrained mobile systems.

Neither chip dominates outright. The i5-9500T is the better all-around performer based on the majority of benchmarks and its higher average score. The i3-1125G4 offers specific advantages in Geekbench and operates at less than half the TDP, which matters for laptop deployments. Buyers choosing between these two should weigh the i5-9500T’s rendering performance against the i3-1125G4’s efficiency and newer architecture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The i5-9500T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i3-1125G4 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clock speeds differ notably: the i5-9500T runs at 2.20 GHz, whereas the i3-1125G4’s base clock is listed as 2000.00 MHz. Both share a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator: 35 watts for the i5-9500T versus 15 watts for the i3-1125G4.

Socket types are incompatible: the i5-9500T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i3-1125G4 uses BGA 1449. Their architectures differ entirely, with the i5-9500T based on Coffee Lake and the i3-1125G4 on Tiger Lake. Process nodes also differ (14 nm vs 10 nm). Cache configurations vary: the i5-9500T has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 9 MB shared L3, while the i3-1125G4 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3. The i3-1125G4’s die size is 144 mm²; no die size is listed for the i5-9500T.

Memory support differs: the i5-9500T supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-1125G4 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X with no bandwidth figure listed. PCIe generations differ: Gen 3 for the i5-9500T and Gen 4 for the i3-1125G4, both with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are different (UHD Graphics 630 vs Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4). Market segments also divide them: desktop for the i5-9500T and mobile for the i3-1125G4.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9500T is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads across the board. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (832 vs 792), R15 single-core (117 vs 111), R20 multi-core (3470 vs 3301), R20 single-core (489 vs 465), R23 multi-core (8264 vs 7860), and R23 single-core (1166 vs 1109). This makes it the preferable option for rendering tasks, 3D modeling, or any application that relies on Cinebench’s benchmark patterns. Its higher TDP of 35 watts allows for sustained performance in desktop systems where power draw is less of a constraint.

The i3-1125G4 wins in Geekbench multi-core (4509 vs 4407) and, more decisively, in Geekbench single-core (1461 vs 1198). This indicates it performs better in workloads that mimic Geekbench’s test methodology, which often favors newer architectures and higher per-core efficiency. For single-threaded applications, the i3-1125G4’s 18% advantage makes it the stronger choice. Its 15-watt TDP also makes it suitable for portable devices where battery life and heat dissipation are critical. The i3-1125G4 supports LPDDR4X memory and PCIe Gen 4, offering newer platform features despite its lower core count. Users prioritizing Geekbench scores or needing a low-power mobile solution should select the i3-1125G4; those focused on Cinebench rendering performance should choose the i5-9500T.