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Intel Core i5-1230U vs Intel Core i5-1235U: Comparison

Core i5-1230U vs Core i5-1235U p-core base clock compared

The first real difference is p-core base clock: Core i5-1230U 1.0 GHz against Core i5-1235U 1.3 GHz. Tdp is not the same on both, 9 W on the Core i5-1230U versus 15 W on the Core i5-1235U. Socket is not the same on both, FCBGA1781 on the Core i5-1230U versus BGA 1744 on the Core i5-1235U. They differ on base power too, 9 W on the Core i5-1230U versus 15 W on the Core i5-1235U. Max turbo power is not the same on both, 29 W on the Core i5-1230U versus 55 W on the Core i5-1235U. They differ on memory type too, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i5-1230U versus DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x on the Core i5-1235U.

Who each one is for

The Core i5-1230U is the one to take for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not the pick for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. The Core i5-1235U suits budget, business and refurbished thin-and-light laptops and office work, browsing, video calls and streaming, though it is the wrong buy for gaming beyond older or light titles at low settings. It is not the one for heavy video rendering or code compiling, where H-series chips finish sooner. Our rating of the Core i5-1230U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i5-1230U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops. Our rating of the Core i5-1235U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i5-1235U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.

Where the two are identical

Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core boost clock included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 8 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is the L3 Cache the same on the Core i5-1230U and Core i5-1235U?

It is. Both are listed at 12 MB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Laptop
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Alder Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    2022
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    2022
  • TDP

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    9 W
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    15 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Laptop
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Laptop
  • Microarchitecture

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Alder Lake
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Alder Lake
  • Socket

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    FCBGA1781
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    BGA 1744
  • Process Node

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    7 nm
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    7 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    10
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    10
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    2
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    2
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    8
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    8
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    12
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    12
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Yes
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    1.0 GHz
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    1.3 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    4.4 GHz
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    4.4 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    12 MB
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    12 MB
  • Base Power

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    9 W
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    15 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    29 W
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    55 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    DDR5, DDR4, LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core i5-1230U
    Yes
    Intel Core i5-1235U
    Yes

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 1230U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB).

    Choose 1235U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Verdict

    Intel Core i5-1230U

    7.7 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core i5-1230U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.

    Intel Core i5-1235U

    7.7 / 10 Expert Rating

    The Intel Core i5-1235U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.

    More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)