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Intel Core i3-1210U vs Intel Core i3-1215U: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i3-1210U and Core i3-1215U?
They are built to different briefs, and p-core base clock shows it, Core i3-1210U 1.0 GHz against Core i3-1215U 1.2 GHz. Tdp is not the same on both, 9 W on the Core i3-1210U versus 15 W on the Core i3-1215U. Socket is not the same on both, BGA 1781 on the Core i3-1210U versus BGA 1744 on the Core i3-1215U. They differ on base power too, 9 W on the Core i3-1210U versus 15 W on the Core i3-1215U. Max turbo power is not the same on both, 29 W on the Core i3-1210U versus 55 W on the Core i3-1215U. They differ on memory type too, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i3-1210U versus DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i3-1215U.
Core i3-1210U vs Core i3-1215U: which one fits your build
The Core i3-1210U suits ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is the wrong buy for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Buy the Core i3-1215U for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not built for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Our rating of the Core i3-1210U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i3-1210U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs. Our rating of the Core i3-1215U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i3-1215U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core boost clock read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the L3 Cache the same on the Core i3-1210U and Core i3-1215U?
It is. Both are listed at 10 MB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 2022
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 9 W
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Intel UHD Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- BGA 1781 (BGA, soldered)
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- BGA 1744 (BGA, soldered)
Process Node
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 6
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 6
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 2
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 4
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 8
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 8
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 1.0 GHz
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 1.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 4.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 10 MB
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 10 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 9 W
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- 29 W
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 55 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i3-1210U
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 1210U if you want the higher L3 cache (10 MB vs 10 MB).
Choose 1215U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core i3-1210U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i3-1210U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.
Intel Core i3-1215U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i3-1215U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.