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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.

More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)