Core i3-1125G4 vs Core i3-10305

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 i3-1125G4 vs Core i3-10305 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 i3-1125G4 vs Core i3-10305: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1125G4

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10305 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-10305.

Core i3-10305

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-1125G4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,210 vs 9,284).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i3-1125G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1125G4 better than Core i3-10305?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10305 is ahead with a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1125G4 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1125G4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-1125G4 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i3-10305 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i3-1125G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-10305 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-10305 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i3-1125G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1125G4 vs Core i3-10305 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1125G4

The Core i3-1125G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,284 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i3-10305

The Core i3-10305 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,210 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-1125G4 and Core i3-10305 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-1125G4 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-10305 — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-10305 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-1125G4 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i3-10305 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1125G4 scores 9,284 against the Core i3-10305's 9,210 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-1125G4. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,560 vs 1,536, a 1.6% lead for the Core i3-1125G4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-1125G4	Core i3-10305
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.5 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.8 GHz+90%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	9,284	9,210
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,112	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,560+2%	1,536
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,770	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1125G4 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-10305 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1125G4 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10305 — the Core i3-1125G4 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-10305 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i3-1125G4) and Z490,B460 (Core i3-10305).

Feature	Core i3-1125G4	Core i3-10305
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i3-1125G4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1125G4) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-10305). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics (48 EU) (Core i3-1125G4) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-10305) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1125G4 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-1125G4 rivals Ryzen 3 5300U.

Feature	Core i3-1125G4	Core i3-10305
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics (48 EU)	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	—