Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i3-8109U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i3-8109U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i3-8109U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1110G4

2020

Why buy it

✅+35.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,160 vs 4,184).

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,100 vs 1,491).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1110G4 better than Core i3-8109U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-1110G4 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8109U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i3-1110G4 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8109U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-1110G4 still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-1110G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1110G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i3-8109U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1110G4

The Core i3-1110G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,160 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-1110G4 and Core i3-8109U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1110G4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i3-1110G4 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-1110G4 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i3-8109U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1110G4 scores 4,160 against the Core i3-8109U's 4,184 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-8109U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,491 vs 1,100, a 30.2% lead for the Core i3-1110G4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1110G4 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U.

Feature	Core i3-1110G4	Core i3-8109U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,160	4,184
Geekbench 6 Single	1,491+36%	1,100

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1110G4 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-8109U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i3-1110G4 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U — the Core i3-1110G4 supports 77.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1110G4) vs 16 (Core i3-8109U) — the Core i3-8109U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1110G4	Core i3-8109U
Socket	FCBGA1598	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4x-4267+78%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-1110G4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU) (Core i3-1110G4) and Iris Plus Graphics 655 (Core i3-8109U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1110G4 targets Thin & Light Laptop, Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1110G4 rivals Ryzen 3 4300U; Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.

Feature	Core i3-1110G4	Core i3-8109U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU)	Iris Plus Graphics 655
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Thin & Light Laptop	Performance Laptop