Home > CPU Comparison > Core i5 1235U or Core i3 1215U: what's better?

Intel Core i5 1235U vs i3 1215U

43 out of 100
Intel Core i5 1235U
VS
42 out of 100
Intel Core i3 1215U
Intel Core i5 1235U
Intel Core i3 1215U

We compared two laptop CPUs: the 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 1235U with 10-cores against the 1.2 GHz i3 1215U with 6-cores. On this page, you'll find out which processor has better performance in benchmarks, games and other useful information.

  1. Review
  2. Differences
  3. Performance
  4. Specs
  5. Comments (10)

Review

General overview and comparison of the processors
Single-Core Performance
Performance in single-threaded apps and benchmarks
Multi-Core Performance
Measure performance when all cores are involved
Power Efficiency
The efficiency score of power consumption
Integrated Graphics
iGPU capabilities for gaming and 3D-intensive tasks
NanoReview Final Score
Choose your main usage scenario to recalculate the Final Score and see which CPU suits your needs.
πŸ”Œ Usage Scenario:

Key Differences

What are the key differences between 1215U and 1235U
Advantages of Intel Core i5 1235U
  • Has 4 more physical cores
  • More powerful Intel Iris Xe Graphics (80EU) integrated graphics: 1.5 vs 1.1 TFLOPS
  • Has 2 MB larger L3 cache size

Test in Benchmarks

Comparing the performance of CPUs across various tasks
CPU:
Core i5 1235U
vs
Core i3 1215U

Cinebench

Reputable cross-platform benchmark for high-performance processors
Cinebench 2024 (Single)
Cinebench 2024 (Multi)
Cinebench 2026 (Single) 400 -
Cinebench 2026 (Multi) 1046 -
Submit your benchmark results

GeekBench v6

The new version of this benchmark emulates common operations often used in real-world apps
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
Core i5 1235U +12%
6362
Core i3 1215U
5662
File compression 448.4 MB/sec 356.7 MB/sec
Clang compilation 24.1 Klines/sec 45.1 Klines/sec
HTML 5 Browser 156 pages/sec 117.1 pages/sec
PDF Renderer 128.9 Mpixels/sec 180.5 Mpixels/sec
Text processing 206.3 pages/sec 224.7 pages/sec
Background blur 34.7 images/sec 18.9 images/sec
Photo processing 54.1 images/sec 54.2 images/sec
Ray tracing 10.5 Mpixels/sec 9.45 Mpixels/sec
Sources: GeekBench [1], [2] – 545 & 1106 samples

PassMark

Synthetic test that focuses on raw computational performance for low-level functions
Passmark CPU (Single-Core)
Passmark CPU (Multi-Core)
Core i5 1235U +23%
12449
Core i3 1215U
10106
Integer math 47.4 GOps/sec 34.4 GOps/sec
Floating point math 37.4 GOps/sec 24.6 GOps/sec
Find prime numbers 534M Primes/sec 30M Primes/sec
Random string sorting 16.6M Strings/sec 12.7M Strings/sec
Data encryption 9 GBytes/sec 6.8 GBytes/sec
Data compression 143.4 MBytes/sec 113.1 MBytes/sec
Physics 649 Frames/sec 546 Frames/sec
Extended instructions 7.9B Matrices/sec 6.7B Matrices/sec
Sources: PassMark [3], [4] – 8323 & 3915 samples

Blender

3D rendering test that measures CPU performance in 3D modeling tasks (uses all cores)
Blender CPU
Core i5 1235U +36%
80.33
Core i3 1215U
58.9

Performance Per Watt

Shows the score you get per each watt of PL1 TDP
Cinebench 2024 / Watt 24.5 PPW 18.9 PPW
Geekbench 6 Multi / Watt 424.1 PPW 377.5 PPW
Passmark CPU Mark / Watt 829.9 PPW 673.7 PPW
Blender / Watt 5.36 PPW 3.93 PPW
These are rough calculations, as most CPUs surpass PL1 TDP wattage even in multicore workloads.

Recent User Tests

The latest benchmark tests that have been submitted by users
Intel Core i5 1235U
DateBenchmarkResult
πŸ“˜ 2026-08-15 (zoetje)Cinebench 2026400 / 1046
πŸ“˜ 2026-08-09 (Jubayer)Cinebench 202486 / 393
πŸ“˜ 2026-05-06 (TASIN AMIR)Geekbench 6 CPU2191 / 7204
πŸ“˜ 2026-03-08 -> samueltailsGeekbench 6 CPU2147 / 6050
πŸ“˜ 2025-01-13 (sauron269)Cinebench 202498 / 368
Add View all (5)
Intel Core i3 1215U
DateBenchmarkResult
πŸ“˜ 2025-04-11 (Shanmukh)Geekbench 6 CPU2126 / 6248
πŸ“˜ 2023-11-06 (goryn81)Cinebench 202489 / 283
Add View all (2)

Specifications

Full technical specification of Intel Core i5 1235U and i3 1215U

General

Vendor Intel Intel
Released February 23, 2022 February 23, 2022
Type Laptop Laptop
Instruction Set x86-64 x86-64
Codename Alder Lake Alder Lake
Model number i5-1235U i3-1215U
Integrated GPU Iris Xe Graphics (80EU) UHD Graphics (64EU)
Successor - Intel Core Ultra 5 225U - Intel Core 3 100U
Intel CPU rating (#199th place)

CPU

Performance Cores
P-Cores 2 2
P-Threads 4 4
Base Frequency (P) 1.3 GHz 1.2 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency (P) 4.4 GHz 4.4 GHz
Efficient Cores
E-Cores 8 4
E-Threads 8 4
Base Frequency (E) 0.9 GHz 0.9 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency (E) 3.3 GHz 3.3 GHz
Total
Total Cores 10 6
Total Threads 12 8
Bus Frequency 100 MHz 100 MHz
Multiplier 13x 12x
L1 Cache 80K (per core) 80K (per core)
L2 Cache 1280K (per core) 1280K (per core)
L3 Cache 12MB (shared) 10MB (shared)
Unlocked Multiplier No No

Package

Fabrication Process 10 nm 10 nm
TDP (PL1) 12-15 W (configurable) 12-15 W (configurable)
Max. Boost TDP (PL2) 55 W 55 W
Socket BGA-1744 BGA-1744
Peak Temperature 100Β°C 100Β°C

iGPU

Integrated Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics (80EU) Intel UHD Graphics (64EU)
GPU Base Clock 300 MHz 300 MHz
GPU Boost Clock 1200 MHz 1100 MHz
Shading Units 640 512
TMUs 40 32
ROPs 20 16
Execution Units 80 64
TGP 15 W 15 W
iGPU FLOPS
Core i5 1235U +36%
1.5 TFLOPS
Core i3 1215U
1.1 TFLOPS
More info: UHD Graphics (64 EU) compared to Iris Xe Graphics G7 (80EU)

Memory Support

Memory Types - DDR5-4800
- DDR4-3200
- LPDDR5-5200
- LPDDR4x-4267		 - DDR5-4800
- DDR4-3200
- LPDDR5-5200
- LPDDR4x-4267
Max. Memory Size 64 GB 64 GB
Memory Channels 2 2
ECC Support No No

Misc

Official Site Intel Core i5 1235U official page Intel Core i3 1215U official page
PCI Express Version 4.0 4.0
PCI Express Lanes 20 20

Cast your vote

Choose between two processors
669 (38.2%)
1081 (61.8%)
Total votes: 1750

Competitors

1. Intel Core i3 1215U vs AMD Ryzen 5 7520U
2. Intel Core i3 1215U vs AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (6)
3. Intel Core i3 1215U vs Intel Core i3 1315U (5)
4. Intel Core i3 1215U vs Intel Core i3 N305 (6)
5. Intel Core i5 1235U vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (13)
6. Intel Core i5 1235U vs AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (1)
7. Intel Core i5 1235U vs Intel Core i5 1335U (5)
8. Intel Core i5 1235U vs AMD Ryzen 5 7520U
9. Intel Core i5 1235U vs AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (7)
10. Intel Core i5 1235U vs Intel Core i7 1255U (2)
Compare other CPUs (460+)

Comments

So which CPU will you choose: Intel Core i3 1215U or i5 1235U?
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Avatar
Migz September 10, 2024 at 02:04 PM
I have two laptops with 1215u and 1235u processors and both having 16gb ram and same ram speed.... per observation, i find 1215u much faster in loading my programming IDEs than the 1235u. I could have gotten 1215u again (before buying the 1235u laptop) ...if only i know this startling revelation.
+73 Reply
Avatar
Macgyver November 5, 2024 at 10:39 PM
It is likely due to the difference in the SSD of each model. I recommend one with a controller MAP1602A, has great performance and energy efficiency. I have a Lexar Ares2 2tb, others that I know that have this controller are Lexar NM790, and Netac 7000-t. Try this upgrade on your i5
+11 Reply
Avatar
Invidere December 13, 2022 at 02:27 AM
How big is the difference in iGPU performance between the two processors? Looking at the numbers, the i5 seems to be 25% faster...
+374 Reply
Avatar
I3 December 14, 2022 at 01:49 PM
I3 1215 iGpu runs on 45w compared to 15w i5. No matter how powerful a gpu is if it doesn't run at full capacity it's not worth your money For example, a Gtx 1050m running at 75w can easily outperform a gtx 1060m running at 45w given both have maximum VRAM available. I3 igpu is excellent for 2 in 1 and mini laptops where you don't play demanding games, it's good for small games, all visual novels, running and using bluestack (16GB ram recommended). I5 is somewhat skippable because the difference between both is not worth the extra 100-200$ IMO. If you really need something better than i3 you should look at i7 or Ryzen 5. Because they have better igpus. Only choose i5 if you are a multi Tasker like opening chrome+ mp3 player+ word/excel + copying a medium file in the background. I3 cannot handle so many tasks and may be maxed at 2-3 because it runs on fewer cores. It's already stated that i3 and i5 have identical single-core performance, but i5 is slightly ahead in multicore. Hope this helps.
+174 Reply
Avatar
Quang April 8, 2023 at 12:33 PM
I3, Thank you! This is the best answer so far!
+36 Reply
Avatar
KenJaws May 3, 2023 at 06:25 AM
I3, The numbers on this page are likely an error. If we refer to the official Intel page, there is no difference in TGP, as both have a base power of 15W (like most mobile CPUs with the "U" suffix) and can boost up to 55W. YouTube benchmarks demonstrate the superior performance of Iris Xe iGPU compared to the UHD graphics on the 1215U. However, these Intel CPUs still can't beat their Ryzen rivals in iGPU performance; for example, the RX Vega 7 in the R5 5625U outperforms the Iris Xe in many applications and games. The R5 6600U features a Radeon 660M iGPU with RDNA2 architecture, which performs somewhere between a GTX 1050 Ti and a GTX 1650 (laptop). Ryzen has always offered better price-to-performance, and I'm looking forward to their 7000 series with RDNA3 iGPU 760/780M. It should be an incredible beast.
+53 Reply
Avatar
Nothing September 7, 2023 at 05:55 AM
KenJaws, I don't think I will pay an extra $150 from i5-1335u to r5 5625.
+24 Reply
Avatar
Someone who doesn't like microsoft September 7, 2023 at 01:34 PM
KenJaws, I'm not a fan of ryzen anymore since they started putting Microsoft's pluton into their chips starting from their 6000 series. Intel hasn't done that yet. Commenting on this for anyone who doesn't want Microsoft having its fingers in their computer.
+23 Reply
Avatar
Drazen February 29, 2024 at 07:55 PM
Someone who doesn't like microsoft, Many things that Microsoft has delved into are a definite NO for some people. Windows 11, for instance, is a roduct under Microsoft's control, which some view as an AI-powered, covert surveillance system.
+10 Reply
Avatar
Ali Sahin March 18, 2025 at 02:49 PM
Drazen, I really cannot stand tech companies putting unnecessary bloated AI Software in their products. If I don't want it, you should not be forcefeeding me the "feature" that I will never use. I use Arch by the way.
0 Reply
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