Core i3-1210U
VS
Core i5-1135G7

Core i3-1210U vs Core i5-1135G7

Intel

Core i3-1210U

6 Cores8 Thrd9 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i5-1135G7

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-1210U is positioned at rank 317 and the Core i5-1135G7 is on rank 688, so the Core i3-1210U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1210U

#96
Ryzen AI Max PRO 380
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#97
Core Ultra 5 226V
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
97%
#305
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
466%
#306
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
459%
#307
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
422%
#308
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
420%
#309
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
416%
#311
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
402%
#312
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
385%
#313
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
385%
#314
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
374%
#317
Core i3-1210U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1135G7

#676
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
963%
#677
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
949%
#678
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
871%
#679
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
867%
#680
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
859%
#682
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
830%
#683
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
796%
#684
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
794%
#685
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
773%
#688
Core i5-1135G7
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#695
Processor N95
MSRP: $160|Avg: $80
98%
#699
Athlon Silver 3050e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-1210U delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-1135G7 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i3-1210UCore i5-1135G7
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) / 10 nm SuperFin)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i3-1210UCore i5-1135G7
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1210U and Core i5-1135G7

Intel

Core i3-1210U

The Core i3-1210U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,438 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-1135G7

The Core i5-1135G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 9,414 points. Launch price was $309.

Processing Power

The Core i3-1210U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-1135G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-1210U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1210U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1135G7 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-1210U (base: 1 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-1210U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-1135G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i3-1210U scores 9,438 against the Core i5-1135G7's 9,414 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-1210U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,040 vs 1,592, a 24.7% lead for the Core i3-1210U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1210U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1135G7.

FeatureCore i3-1210UCore i5-1135G7
Cores / Threads
6 / 8+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+5%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
1 GHz
1.5 GHz+50%
L3 Cache
10 MB (total)+25%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
1.25 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-30%
10 nm SuperFin
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark
9,438
9,414
Cinebench R23 Multi
5,183
Geekbench 6 Single
2,040+28%
1,592
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,495
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1210U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-1135G7 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1210U versus DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i5-1135G7 — the Core i3-1210U supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 14 (Core i3-1210U) vs 16 (Core i5-1135G7) — the Core i5-1135G7 offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i3-1210UCore i5-1135G7
Socket
FCBGA1781
FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200+25%
DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
14
16+14%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1135G7 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 for 12th Gen (64 EU) (Core i3-1210U) and Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU) (Core i5-1135G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1210U targets Thin & Light Laptop, Core i5-1135G7 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i3-1210U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U; Core i5-1135G7 rivals Ryzen 5 5500U.

FeatureCore i3-1210UCore i5-1135G7
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)
Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Thin & Light Laptop
Productivity