Name: Intel Core i3 1120g4
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i3 1120g4

Overall score

6.9

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

8.0

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

Performance

7.2

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N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cache & Architecture

6.6

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Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

Memory & PCIe

4.8

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DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

Integrated Graphics

8.3

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Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

Power & Thermal

7.5

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TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

Intel Core i3 1120g4 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i3 1120g4 better than the average processor?

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2.5x more L2 per core
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.1.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
Newer PCIe version
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3.0).
What it is: The newest PCIe generation the processor can use directly for graphics cards, SSDs, and other high-speed expansion devices.
When it matters: When you want support for newer GPUs or SSDs, or more bandwidth for high-speed expansion hardware.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 4.0
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3.0).4.0 vs 3.0
66.7% lower base power
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
More advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i3 1120g4 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Tiger Lake vs Kaby Lake).
What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i3 1120g4 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Tiger Lake vs Kaby Lake).Tiger Lake vs Kaby Lake
54.7% lower boost power
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (29 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <50 W
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (29 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.29 W vs 64 W
Includes crypto acceleration
Intel Core i3 1120g4 includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.
What it is: Built-in hardware support for accelerating encryption and cryptographic tasks.
When it matters: When encryption speed or secure workloads matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i3 1120g4 includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.AES, VAES, SHA, PCLMULQDQ vs AES, SHA
Newer DDR support
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR4X vs DDR4).
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: DDR5
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR4X vs DDR4).DDR4/LPDDR4X vs DDR4
66.7% lower TDP
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
Includes crypto acceleration
Intel Core i3 1120g4 includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.
1 wider front-end design
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a higher front-end width than the average processor (5 vs 4). The average processor uses front-end width of 4.
2.5x more L2 per core
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
More advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i3 1120g4 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Tiger Lake vs Kaby Lake).
2x larger L2 cache
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
More advanced foundry
Intel Core i3 1120g4 uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 10 nm SuperFin vs Intel 14 nm).
16.7% more L3 per core
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
16.7% smaller process node
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower process node than the average processor (10 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
Newer PCIe version
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (4 vs 3.0).
Newer DDR support
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR4X vs DDR4).
45.5% higher memory speed
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (4,267 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
30.3% higher memory bandwidth
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (59.7 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
2x more GPU execution units
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more GPU execution units than the average processor (48 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
1 more supported displays
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has more supported displays than the average processor (4 vs 3). The average processor supports 3 displays.
66.7% lower base power
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
54.7% lower boost power
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (29 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
66.7% lower TDP
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Why is Intel Core i3 1120g4 worse than the average processor?

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Older CPU socket
Intel Core i3 1120g4 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,598 vs FP2).
18.6% lower boost clock
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
75% lower bus transfer rate
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
75% lower bus speed
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus speed than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
17 lower clock multiplier
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (11 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
12 fewer PCIe lanes
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
50% less memory capacity
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
Narrower media codec support
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
18.6% lower boost clock
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 8+
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
12 fewer PCIe lanes
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
What it is: The number of PCIe lanes provided directly by the processor.
When it matters: When you connect fast GPUs, SSDs, or expansion cards.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=20
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.4 vs 16
Narrower media codec support
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i3 1120g4 supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (AV1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).AV1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)
75% lower bus speed
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus speed than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
What it is: The base platform clock used by older processor designs to derive other operating speeds.
When it matters: When you are comparing older CPU platforms where bus design still affects how clocks and compatibility are set up.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=8 GT/s
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus speed than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s
75% lower bus transfer rate
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
What it is: The maximum data transfer rate supported by the processor's platform bus, usually shown in GT/s.
When it matters: When you are comparing older platform bandwidth limits rather than just raw CPU core performance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=8 GT/s
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.2 GT/s vs 8 GT/s
50% less memory capacity
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=128 GB
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.32 GB vs 64 GB
17 lower clock multiplier
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (11 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
What it is: The ratio used to derive CPU frequency from the base clock.
When it matters: When you tune or compare overclocking behavior.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >33
Intel Core i3 1120g4 has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (11 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.11 vs 28

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i3 1120g4?

Energy efficiency makes it ideal for thin-and-light Ultrabooks
Features 4 cores and 8 threads, offering better multitasking than older 2-core i3 models
Integrated Xe graphics (48 EUs) provide decent support for 4K video and very light gaming
Modern connectivity support, including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and PCIe 4.0
Low heat output allows for quiet or fanless laptop designs

What customers dislike about Intel Core i3 1120g4?

Base clock speed is very low at 1.1 GHz, which can feel sluggish for heavy startup tasks
Limited sustained performance due to the low 7W-15W TDP (power envelope)
Not suitable for modern gaming or intensive video editing; struggles with resource-heavy titles
Overall performance is significantly lower than i5 or i7 variants from the same generation
High DPC latencies may be present, potentially affecting real-time audio/video tasks

Expert reviews

laptopmedia.com

14/02/2021

Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48EU) – Performance and Benchmarks (Includes i3-1120G4 Test)

The Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48EU) is an integrated GPU for 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors featuring 48 Execution Units, designed for efficiency in budget laptops. It excels in everyday tasks, 4K video playback, and light gaming like League of Legends or CS:GO using dual-channel memory. However, performance is limited by reliance on shared system memory and it cannot run modern,...Read more

Intel Core i3 1120g4 Review | 78 Data compared

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Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i3 1120g4

Intel Core i3 1120g4 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i3 1120g4 better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Core i3 1120g4 worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i3 1120g4 and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i3 1120g4?

What customers dislike about Intel Core i3 1120g4?

Expert reviews

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Compare Intel Core i3 1120g4 with other processors