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Intel Core i5-1230U vs Intel Core i5-1240U: Comparison
Core i5-1230U vs Core i5-1240U: the e-core boost clock difference
The first real difference is e-core boost clock: Core i5-1230U 3.2 GHz against Core i5-1240U 3.3 GHz. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 1.0 GHz on the Core i5-1230U versus 1.1 GHz on the Core i5-1240U. They differ on e-core base clock too, 0.7 GHz on the Core i5-1230U versus 0.8 GHz on the Core i5-1240U. There is a split on igpu model as well, Intel UHD Graphics on the Core i5-1230U versus Intel Iris Xe Graphics on the Core i5-1240U. There is a split on igpu compute units as well, 64 on the Core i5-1230U versus 80 on the Core i5-1240U.
Core i5-1230U vs Core i5-1240U: which one fits your build
The Core i5-1230U suits ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is the wrong buy for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. Buy the Core i5-1240U for ultra-thin laptops and business laptops, though it is not built for gaming laptops and heavy sustained workloads. 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 i5-1240U (7.7/10): the Intel Core i5-1240U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.
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 23 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TDP the same on the Core i5-1230U and Core i5-1240U?
It is. Both are listed at 9 W, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Intel
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Core
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- i5-1230U
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- i5-1240U
Codename
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 2022
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 9 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 9 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Laptop
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- FCBGA1781
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- FCBGA1781
Socket Status
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Mature
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 10
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 10
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 2
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 2
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 8
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 12
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 12
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 1.0 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 1.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 4.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 0.7 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 0.8 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 3.2 GHz
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 3.3 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 12 MB
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 12 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 9 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 9 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 29 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 29 W
Configurable TDP Floor
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 9 W
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 9 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 2
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 64 GB
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 64 GB
ECC Support
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- No
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- No
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 64
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 80
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- PCIe 4.0
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- 10
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- 10
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i5-1230U
- Soldered Only
- Intel Core i5-1240U
- Soldered Only
Which one should you pick?
Choose 1230U if you want the higher L3 cache (12 MB vs 12 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (10 vs 10).
Choose 1240U 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 i5-1240U
7.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-1240U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops.