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Intel Core i3-1215U vs Intel Core i3-1305U: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i3-1215U and Core i3-1305U?
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core i3-1215U 6 against Core i3-1305U 5. Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) backs the spec sheet up. Core i3-1305U scores 2,138 to 2,081, 3% clear. There is a split on release year as well, 2022 on the Core i3-1215U versus 2023 on the Core i3-1305U. They differ on microarchitecture too, Alder Lake on the Core i3-1215U versus Raptor Lake on the Core i3-1305U. Memory type is not the same on both, DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i3-1215U versus DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5/x, LPDDR4x on the Core i3-1305U.
Which should you buy, Core i3-1215U or Core i3-1305U?
Buy the Core i3-1215U for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. The Core i3-1305U suits ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not built for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. 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. Our rating of the Core i3-1305U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i3-1305U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.
What Core i3-1215U and Core i3-1305U have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, efficiency cores, tdp, l3 cache, integrated graphics and socket included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i3-1215U and Core i3-1305U differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 2 on the Core i3-1215U versus 1 on the Core i3-1305U.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Core i3-1215U and Core i3-1305U?
It is. Both are listed at Laptop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 2022
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 15 W
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 15 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Intel UHD Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- BGA 1744 (BGA, soldered)
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- BGA 1744 (BGA, soldered)
Process Node
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 6Best
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 5
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 2Best
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 1
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 4
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 8Best
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 6
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 1.2 GHz
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 1.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 10 MB
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 10 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 15 W
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 15 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 55 W
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 55 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5/x, LPDDR4x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- Yes
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- Yes
Benchmarks
- General CPU
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- 2,081-3%
- Intel Core i3-1305U
- 2,138Best
The same everyday tasks on one core. Tracks how responsive the PC feels.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 1215U if you want the higher L3 cache (10 MB vs 10 MB).
Choose 1305U if you want the higher geekbench 6 (Single-Core) (2,138 vs 2,081).
Verdict
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.
Intel Core i3-1305U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i3-1305U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.


