Intel Core i3-1125G4
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
IntelIntel Core i3-1125G4 Specifications
Core i3-1125G4 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i3-1125G4 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i3-1125G4 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i3-1125G4 by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i3-1125G4 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i3-1125G4 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i3-1125G4's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Tiger Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is built on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i3-1125G4 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Tiger Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i3-1125G4 by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i3-1125G4 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1449 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i3-1125G4 uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1449 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i3-1125G4 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i3-1125G4 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i3-1125G4 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i3-1125G4 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i3-1125G4 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i3-1125G4 by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i3-1125G4 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i3-1125G4 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
cinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core i3-1125G4 handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance.
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i3-1125G4.
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i3-1125G4.
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i3-1125G4 after thermal limits kick in.
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i3-1125G4 maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
About Intel Core i3-1125G4
Intel Core i3-1125G4 is a mobile processor that lands in the dead center of the performance distribution, holding the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 2299 places it in a tightly contested cluster where a handful of points separate it from several desktop and mobile rivals. The data indicates this chip delivers competent mainstream performance for thin-and-light laptops, but it does not pull away from its immediate competition. The following analysis breaks down how it stacks up, where it excels, and what workloads suit it best.
How It Compares
vs. Intel Core i3-10305: The Core i3-1125G4 is statistically indistinguishable from the desktop Core i3-10305, with a delta of 0% and average scores of 2299 versus 2300. This is notable because the 1125G4 is a 15-watt mobile part competing evenly with a desktop chip from the same generation. Users migrating from an older desktop should see no practical performance difference in general workloads.
vs. Intel Xeon E-2134: The mobile i3 edges out the Xeon E-2134 by a 0.2% margin, scoring 2299 against 2295. The Xeon is a workstation-oriented part, yet the Tiger Lake-U architecture closes the gap entirely. The result shows that the 1125G4's modern IPC and boost behavior can offset what would traditionally be a significant platform advantage for the Xeon.
vs. Intel Core i5-9400: The i5-9400, a six-core desktop chip, leads the i3-1125G4 by 0.2% (2305 versus 2299). The margin is negligible, meaning the 1125G4's four cores and eight threads, combined with a high 3.70 GHz boost, can match a six-core processor from an older generation. This is a strong showing for a low-power mobile part, though the i5 may sustain performance longer under heavy all-core loads.
vs. AMD Ryzen 5 7520U: The Ryzen 5 7520U trails by 0.4% (2290 versus 2299), placing the Intel part ahead in the aggregate. Both are modern mobile chips with similar power envelopes, but the 1125G4's Tiger Lake architecture delivers a slight edge in the benchmark suite. The difference is small enough to be within run-to-run variance, but the data consistently favors Intel.
Power and Thermals
The Intel Core i3-1125G4 carries a 15-watt TDP, classifying it as an ultra-low-power mobile processor designed for fanless or lightly cooled chassis. This TDP class implies that a basic heatpipe and small fan, or even a well-designed passive solution, can manage thermals under sustained loads. The 10 nm process node from Intel helps keep power density manageable, though the 144 mm² die size indicates a relatively large chip for the power envelope. In practice, users should expect the processor to boost aggressively in short bursts but settle back to its 2.00 GHz base clock under prolonged all-core stress if cooling is limited. The 15-watt rating means it belongs in thin-and-light laptops, not gaming rigs or workstation replacements.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark results show a processor with a pronounced multi-core advantage relative to its single-core showing. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 7950 is substantial for a 15-watt part, while the single-core score of 1122 is modest. The ratio between these scores—roughly 7:1—indicates that the processor scales well across its four cores, but each individual core is not exceptional. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score of 3339 and single-core score of 471 follow the same pattern, with the multi-core result representing 84% of the Core i3-10305's aggregate benchmark average. The R15 results (801 multi-core, 113 single-core) reinforce this: the chip is better suited to threaded workloads than to tasks that depend on a single fast core. Against the Ryzen 5 7520U, the 0.4% aggregate lead is driven by the multi-core tests, where the Intel part's 8 MB shared L3 cache and higher 3.70 GHz boost provide an edge. The single-core scores are closer, but the 1125G4 still leads in every Cinebench iteration listed.
FAQ
Q: How does the Core i3-1125G4 compare to the Intel Core i3-10305?
A: They are performance equals, with a 0% delta in average benchmark score (2299 versus 2300). This is a desktop chip, yet the mobile 1125G4 matches it.
Q: What is the TDP and what cooling does it need?
A: The TDP is 15 watts, which means a basic air cooler or a passive solution in a thin chassis can handle it. No high-end cooling is required.
Q: Is the processor good for gaming?
A: The integrated graphics are Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, and the multi-core scores are strong, but the 15-watt TDP and modest single-core performance suggest light or older titles at best. No discrete GPU benchmarks are in the data.
Q: What memory does it support?
A: It supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in a dual-channel configuration. ECC memory is not supported.
Q: What socket does it use?
A: The processor uses Intel BGA 1449, which is a soldered mobile socket. It cannot be upgraded in a laptop; the platform is fixed.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The part is end-of-life, released on 2021-03-30. Its launch MSRP was $281.
Who Should Consider It
The benchmark data points to specific use cases. For office productivity—spreadsheets, document editing, web browsing with many tabs—the 8-thread multi-core score of 7950 in R23 provides ample headroom for smooth multitasking. The 50th percentile ranking means it will handle typical office workloads without stutter. For content creation, the multi-core strength is a plus: video encoding and photo batch processing will benefit from the 8 MB shared L3 cache and four cores, but the modest single-core score of 1122 in R23 means tasks like applying complex filters in photo editors may feel slower than on a higher-clocked desktop part. Gamers should look elsewhere, as the integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 and 15-watt power limit are not designed for modern 3D titles. Users who prioritize battery life and portability over raw performance, and who need a chip that can handle moderate threaded workloads, will find the 1125G4 adequate. It is not for enthusiasts or heavy renderers, but it holds its own against older desktop chips in aggregate benchmarks.
Platform and Compatibility
The processor is built on Intel's Tiger Lake-U architecture and uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, which is a soldered (non-upgradeable) mount. It supports dual-channel DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, though no specific speed ratings are provided in the data. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which allows for fast NVMe storage and discrete GPUs if the laptop design includes them—though the 15-watt TDP limits how much power a GPU can draw. The platform has no ECC memory support, which is typical for consumer mobile parts. The 10 nm process node and 144 mm² die size are the key physical characteristics, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Upgrade path is effectively nil; the BGA socket means the CPU is fixed to the motherboard, so buyers should choose the configuration they need at purchase time. The part is end-of-life, so new laptops with this chip are no longer in production, but used or refurbished systems may still be available.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals a clear design priority. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 7950 is 7.1 times the single-core score of 1122, which is a higher ratio than typical for a 4-core/8-thread part—indicating the processor scales well with all cores engaged. However, the single-core score of 1122 is low in absolute terms, placing it below many desktop chips from the same era. This means that applications relying on a single thread—such as older games, some CAD tools, or script-heavy web pages—will not see the same performance as threaded workloads. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score of 471 versus multi-core 3339 (a 7.1x ratio) confirms the pattern. The 3.70 GHz boost clock is high, but the 10 nm process and 15-watt envelope likely cause the boost to drop quickly on a single core under sustained load. For real-world use, the chip excels in multi-threaded tasks like video transcoding, compiling, and data analysis, but lags in single-thread-critical scenarios. The 0.4% aggregate lead over the Ryzen 5 7520U stems from this multi-core strength, while the single-core scores are too close to create a meaningful gap. Users should match their workloads to the multi-core advantage.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i3-1125G4
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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