Intel Core i3-1215UL vs Intel Core i7-1260U

Processor comparisons   11-09-2022
   Let's say there are difficulties with the choice of a processor, you will solve them by reading the comprehensive tests Intel Core i3-1215UL vs Intel Core i7-1260U and decide which is better for games or normal use for programming, rendering, video editing, machine learning, streaming. Here you can find all information from real streaming and video editing tests or different benchmarks. A careful analysis of all the technical characteristics, to make it easier to understand, is summarized in the table.
   From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in software tests such as Blender, Dolphin Emulator, Gears 5, RealBench, 7zip, Furmark, SuperPi, PCMark 10, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, Handbrake, Prime95, VeraCrypt, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), WPrime, 3DMark, UserBenchmark, PassMark, MATLAB, Blender, GeekBench 6, 5.2, AIDA64.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

Cyberpunk 2077
Rainbow Six Siege
DOOM: Eternal
Overwatch
Fallout 76
Red Dead Redemption 2
Valheim
Death Stranding
Borderlands 3
Halo Infinite
Watch Dogs Legion
Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare
Last Man Standing
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Apex Legends
Fortnite
Valorant
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Grand Theft Auto V

After reading the results of joint benchmarks and videos, you already be able to figure out which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i7-1260U or Intel Core i3-1215UL.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i3-1215UL

54%

Core i7-1260U

55%

This shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i7-1260U is 1% better than Core i3-1215UL. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i3-1215UL

53%

Core i7-1260U

54%

The maximum result in this parameter is 100 percent, which is the performance of the most powerful processor currently available. And it is clear that this is a server processor, on which no one will play games. Because this processor costs several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a small game result, look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of less popular games in which processors were compared: Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Monster Hunter World, Hitman 3, Half-Life: Alyx, DOTA 2A, Forza Horizon 4, Battlefield V, League of Legends (LOL), Microsoft Flight Simulator, Metro Exodus, Control, NBA 2K20, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ghostrunner.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	94.4	95.1
Valorant	107.3	108.1
Cyberpunk 2077	60.1	60.5
Apex Legends	100.9	101.6
Call of Duty Warzone	80.5	81.0
Overwatch	86.9	87.5
Red Dead Redemption 2	74.1	74.6
DOOM Eternal	53.7	54.0
Warzone	83.7	84.3
Assassin's Creed	90.2	90.8
Valheim	89.1	89.7

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The computers participating in the comparing not only were the equipped with different amounts of RAM and different video cards. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you get acquainted with the benchmarks that are made with the same video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i3-1215UL

251%

Core i7-1260U

463%

To make a finishing decision on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i7-1260U is more energy efficient than the Core i3-1215UL since it has less power consumption: 15W vs. 9W. Power consumption is especially important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, you must know its TDP. It is necessary to count so that the TDP data specified in the cooler specification is greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for streaming, video editing or video rendering, machine learning, programming, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum performance, the CPU includes all threads and cores that it has. You will find out this data from the benchmark tables below. Before you take into account the data from these tests, be sure to find out whether the program that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Because there are still many programs that use only one core to run, and all the advantages of multi-core mode are unused.
Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i3-1215UL	Intel Core i7-1260U
Cinbench 15 Single-core	204	230
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	1534	1691
Cinbench 20 Single-core	499	554
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	3492	3839
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1176	1297
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	11522	12654

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-1215UL	Intel Core i7-1260U
Single-Core	2759	3035
Multi-Core	16133	17715

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i3-1215UL	Intel Core i7-1260U
Single-Core	1133	1251
Multi-Core	6323	6947

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most helpful. The newer the processor, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system later. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. When the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS even in the newest games. The savings are obvious! Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer.

	Intel Core i3-1215UL	Intel Core i7-1260U
Announcement date	September 24, 2022	January 07, 2022
Type	Embedded	Laptop
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1744
Core name	Alder Lake	Alder Lake-U
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	12	12
Turbo Frequency	4.4 MHz	4.7 MHz
Frequency	1.2 MHz	1.1 MHz
Cores	6	10
Threads	8	12
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography	7 nm	10 nm
Transistors count	9800 millions	9800 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	15 W	9 W
Memory type	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s
Max. Memory	64 Gb	64 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth	45.8 GB/s	45.8 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache
L3 cache	10 MB	24 MB
Overclocking	No	No
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number	Expansion Options

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i3-1215UL is 8% better than Core i7-1260U in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i7-1260U has 4 more core than Core i3-1215UL. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i3-1215UL is better: 3
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i7-1260U is better: 26
However, it should be realized that the summary data in the table above do not mean that taking them into account you should fully trust a simple comparison of these figures. Better to watch benchmarks video and read the opinion of of people who bought Intel Core i3-1215UL and Intel Core i7-1260U before making a choice which of the processors to buy for gaming.

Intel Core i3-1215UL - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i3-1215UL specs and review.

Intel Core i7-1260U - all data

• Cinebench r15 score
• Cinebench r20 score
• Cinebench r23 score
• GeekBench 6, 5.2 score

• Intel Core i7-1260U specs and review.