Intel Core i3-1115G4

Intel Core i3-1115G4

Intel Core i3-1115G4: Compact Power for Everyday Tasks

Analysis of the Tiger Lake Processor in 2025


Architecture and Technology Process: 10 nm SuperFin and Hybrid Efficiency

The Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, released in 2020, remains relevant for budget laptops even in 2025 due to its balanced architecture. It is built on the 10 nm SuperFin technology, which marked a breakthrough for Intel, reducing power consumption and increasing transistor density compared to its 14 nm predecessors.

- Cores and Threads: 2 cores, 4 threads (Hyper-Threading). Base frequency — 3.0 GHz, maximum in Turbo Boost — 4.1 GHz.

- Willow Cove Architecture: Improved IPC (instructions per cycle) by 10-15% compared to Ice Lake. Support for PCIe 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (11th generation) with 48 EU (Execution Units), frequency up to 1.25 GHz. Supports 4K@60 Hz via HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort.

Despite the modest number of cores, the processor is optimized for single-threaded tasks, such as web browsing or document work. The graphics, although weaker than AMD Vega or Iris Xe, handle AV1 video decoding and light gaming adequately.


Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Performance and Battery Life

With a TDP of 28 W, this is a "golden mean" between performance and energy efficiency. For comparison:

- 15 W (U-series): Less noise and more battery life, but lower peak performance.

- 28-35 W (P-series): Higher stable frequency under load, but heat requires quality cooling.

Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology automatically adjusts power consumption based on workload. For example, during short video rendering, Turbo Boost is activated, while in reading mode, the frequency decreases to 1.2 GHz.


Performance: From Office to Light Gaming

Office Tasks:

- Chrome with 20+ tabs + Zoom + Word — the processor handles this without lag if RAM ≥ 8 GB.

- Booting Windows 11 (or lightweight Linux distributions) — instant response.

Multimedia:

- Streaming 4K video (Netflix, YouTube) — AV1 decoding reduces CPU load to 10-15%.

- Editing in Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve (1080p): rendering will take 2-3 times longer than on an i5-1135G7, but acceptable for occasional edits.

Gaming:

- CS:GO (1280x720, low settings) — 40-50 FPS.

- Minecraft (with anti-aliasing) — 60 FPS.

- Genshin Impact (720p, minimum settings) — 25-30 FPS (requires FSR/XeSS).

Turbo Boost: For 15-20 seconds, the frequency rises to 4.1 GHz, but under prolonged load (e.g., installing updates), throttling down to 3.5 GHz may occur due to overheating in slim cases.


Use Cases: Who is the i3-1115G4 Suitable For?

- Students: Working with texts, online courses, watching lectures.

- Office Workers: Excel, PowerPoint, corporate applications.

- Casual Users: Web surfing, social media, streaming.

- Travelers: Compact laptops weighing ≤1.5 kg (e.g., Acer Swift 3).

Not recommended for:

- Professional video/3D editing.

- Modern AAA gaming.

- Running virtual machines or heavy IDEs.


Battery Life: How Long Will the Battery Last?

With a TDP of 28 W, the battery life heavily depends on the battery capacity:

- Laptop with 40 Wh: 4-5 hours (web surfing), 2-3 hours (YouTube).

- Model with 60 Wh: 7-8 hours in power-saving mode.

Energy-Saving Technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift: Quick switching between P-states.

- Adaptix Thermal Framework: Dynamic fan control.

- Display Power Savings: Dims the backlight when displaying static images.

Tip: Disable Turbo Boost in BIOS — battery life will increase by 20-30%, and performance for office tasks will be nearly unaffected.


Comparison with Competitors: AMD, Apple, and Previous Generations

- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores/8 threads, Zen 2): Better in multi-threaded tasks (e.g., rendering), but weaker in single-thread performance (Geekbench 6 Single: ~1350). Laptop prices: $450–$600.

- Apple M1 (8 cores): 2-3 times faster in multitasking, but macOS is not for everyone. Devices start from $900.

- Intel Core i5-1035G1 (10th generation): Inferior in IPC and energy efficiency. Relevant only on the second-hand market.

Conclusion: The i3-1115G4 outperforms competitors in the $400–$550 segment if the priority is portability and a responsive system.


Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- High single-thread performance.

- Support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.

- Affordable laptop prices (from $400).

Weaknesses:

- Only 2 cores — multitasking is limited.

- Weaker graphics compared to Ryzen with Vega.

- Heating under load in ultrabooks.


Laptop Selection Recommendations

- Device Type: Ultrabook (e.g., Lenovo IdeaPad 5) or compact laptop (HP Pavilion Aero).

- Minimum Specifications:

- 8 GB RAM (preferably 16 GB for future upgrade).

- 256 GB SSD (NVMe).

- IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080.

- Cooling: Check reviews for fan noise.

Examples of 2025 models:

- Asus Vivobook 14 X1404: $429, 8 GB/256 GB, 14" FHD.

- Dell Inspiron 15 3525: $499, 16 GB/512 GB, touchscreen.


Final Verdict

The Intel Core i3-1115G4 is an optimal choice for those seeking an affordable laptop for everyday tasks. It combines sufficient power for office use, portability, and modern interfaces (Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6). However, for gaming or professional tasks, it is better to consider models with Ryzen 5 or Core i5.

Who it suits:

- Students and freelancers.

- Users who value lightness and battery life.

- Those who do not want to overpay for "extra power".

In 2025, laptops with this processor remain a cost-effective option in the budget segment, especially with discounts (often dropping to $350–$400).

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
September 2020
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i3-1115G4
Code Name
Tiger Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
4.10 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
2.0
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
L3 Cache
6 MB
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCBGA1449
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
10 nm SuperFin
TDP
28 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100°C
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
Microprocessor PCIe Revision
Gen 4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-3200 | LPDDR4x-3733
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
64 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
4 GT/s
ECC Memory Supported
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Intel® UHD Graphics for 11th Gen Intel® Processors
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.25 GHz
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12.1
Execution Units
?
The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.
48
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
7680x4320@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
4096x2304@60Hz
Number of Displays Supported
4
Graphics Output
?
Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.
eDP 1.4b | MIPI-DSI 2.0 | DP 1.4 | HDMI 2.0b

Miscellaneous

Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost) on CPU
?
A new set of embedded processor technologies designed to accelerate AI deep learning use cases. It extends Intel AVX-512 with a new Vector Neural Network Instruction (VNNI) that significantly increases deep learning inference performance over previous generations.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2 | Intel® AVX-512
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Intel High Definition Audio
Yes
Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)
?
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) provides a common, robust method of hot plug and LED management for NVMe-based solid state drives.
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology
?
CET - Intel Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) helps protect against the misuse of legitimate code snippets through return-oriented programming (ROP) control-flow hijacking attacks.
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.6
OpenCL Support
?
OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for heterogeneous parallel programming.
3.0
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
1560
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
3044
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1183
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
2490
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
2655
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
6128

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
1676 +7.4%
1625 +4.2%
1507 -3.4%
1452 -6.9%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
3519 +15.6%
3280 +7.8%
2852 -6.3%
2578 -15.3%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
1262 +6.7%
1215 +2.7%
1154 -2.5%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
2752 +10.5%
2620 +5.2%
2340 -6%
2161 -13.2%
Passmark CPU Single Core
2732 +2.9%
2686 +1.2%
2610 -1.7%
2568 -3.3%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
6605 +7.8%
6332 +3.3%
5798 -5.4%
5547 -9.5%