Quick Verdict
A niche 2-core processor that offloads webcam AI tasks to the IPU 6.0, but the severe core count limitation makes it a poor choice for anyone doing more than light office work and video calls.
Overview
Launch
2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Generation
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i3-1115G4 (IPU) is a 2-core, 4-thread Tiger Lake mobile processor that integrates an Image Processing Unit 6.0, providing AI-enhanced video capabilities to entry-level business laptops without increasing the core count.
The Core i3-1115G4 (IPU) shares the exact same 2-core, 4-thread configuration and 4.1 GHz boost clock as the standard 1115G4, but adds Intel's IPU 6.0.
This dedicated hardware handles background blur, facial tracking, and video encoding, ensuring smooth communication even on a severely constrained 2-core platform.
Specifications
Performance
The 2 cores are adequate for light office tasks. The IPU helps keep the system responsive during video calls, but heavy multitasking will still cause slowdowns.
2 cores and 4 threads are fundamentally insufficient for any practical virtualization use.
Identical to the non-IPU 1115G4. The Iris Xe G4 graphics are not viable for modern gaming.
The IPU significantly improves efficiency during its target workload (video calls), making this chip very battery-friendly for remote workers.
- •2 cores and G4 tier graphics preclude gaming
- •Identical graphical limitations as the standard 1115G4
- •No improvement in frame rates over the non-IPU variant
- •IPU 6.0 provides excellent dedicated AI for video and imaging
- •General CPU AI inference is limited by 2 cores and 15W TDP
- •AVX-512 instructions are present
Architecture
10nm (SuperFin)
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
This is the 2-core Tiger Lake-U die featuring the Willow Cove architecture, paired with a physically integrated IPU 6.0 coprocessor.
CPU Design
2 Willow Cove cores with Hyper-Threading. The inclusion of the IPU on a 2-core die is an architectural feat, as it requires routing specific imaging data paths directly to the coprocessor without impacting the CPU's narrow 4-lane PCIe interface.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-3200 or LPDDR4X-3733. Memory bandwidth is shared between the CPU, the G4 GPU, and the IPU.
PCIe & I/O
4 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes. The IPU operates independently of these lanes, interfacing directly with the SoC's internal fabric.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- Addition of IPU 6.0 over standard 11th-gen i3
- Willow Cove architecture boost
- Iris Xe-LP graphics
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Higher base and boost clocks
Key Highlights
- IPU 6.0 enables smooth AI video features on a budget chip
- High 4.1 GHz boost for snappy single-task performance
- Excellent battery life during video calls due to IPU offload
- Low 15W configurable TDP
- Modern 10nm SuperFin process
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads severely bottleneck multitasking
- 6MB L3 cache is very small
- Only 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes
- The IPU is useless if you don't use video conferencing
- Same price as the 4-core 1125G4 (IPU) at launch
History
The Core i3-1115G4 (IPU) is a product of Intel's highly segmented approach to the Tiger Lake generation. Released alongside the standard 1115G4 in September 2020, it existed primarily to allow OEMs to advertise 'AI-enhanced webcams' on their most affordable laptop models.</br></br>By integrating the IPU 6.
0 onto the 2-core die, Intel created a chip that could handle the specific workload of remote work—video conferencing—better than a raw 2-core CPU could on its own. The IPU took over the computationally expensive tasks of background blur, framing, and noise suppression, which would otherwise max out the 2 Willow Cove cores and result in choppy video or laggy system response.</br></br>From a business perspective, it was a clever move.
It allowed laptop manufacturers to introduce premium video features down to the $400-$500 laptop price bracket. However, for informed consumers, the existence of the 4-core i3-1125G4 (IPU) at the exact same $281 price point made the 2-core IPU variant a hard sell outside of locked-down OEM supply contracts.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Addition of IPU 6.0 over standard 11th-gen i3
- Willow Cove architecture boost
- Iris Xe-LP graphics
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Higher base and boost clocks
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a highly discounted laptop specifically for remote work and video conferencing where battery life during calls is the top priority.
Avoid if…
- You do any form of multitasking beyond a browser and a video app
- You plan to use the laptop for several years
- You need to run local applications alongside video calls
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It launched at the exact same $281 price as the 4-core 1125G4 (IPU), making the 4-core version objectively better value.
The IPU 6.0 on this chip physically occupies silicon that could have otherwise been used for cache or other logic.
Part number SRK07 differentiates it from the standard non-IPU SRK08.
Despite the IPU handling video, the CPU still has Intel Quick Sync built into the GPU for traditional hardware encoding.
This chip proves that the IPU is a separate hardware block on the Tiger Lake die, not a software feature.
It was primarily used in entry-level Chromebooks and budget Windows Pro laptops.
The 4.1 GHz boost applies to both single-core and all-core loads because there are only two cores.
Its 15W PL1 can be dropped to 12W, at which point the IPU becomes even more critical to maintaining a smooth video call experience.
It was one of the first entry-tier processors to feature a dedicated AI coprocessor.
The 'IPU' branding was so niche that many consumers bought this chip without realizing the IPU was there.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between i3-1115G4 and i3-1115G4 (IPU)?
The IPU variant includes Intel's Image Processing Unit 6.0, a dedicated coprocessor that handles AI video tasks like background blur. The CPU cores, clocks, and graphics are otherwise identical.
Is the i3-1115G4 (IPU) a 2-core processor?
Yes, it still features only 2 cores and 4 threads, identical to the standard 1115G4.
Does the IPU make the laptop faster?
It makes video conferencing smoother and more efficient, but it does not improve general computing speed or multitasking performance.
Can I use the IPU for anything other than video calls?
The IPU is primarily optimized for webcam processing, background segmentation, and video encoding. It is not accessible for general compute tasks.
Why did Intel make a 2-core IPU chip when the 4-core IPU chip costs the same?
It allowed OEMs to create ultra-budget laptop SKUs with 'AI webcam' marketing features, targeting highly price-sensitive enterprise and education markets.
Does the i3-1115G4 (IPU) have AVX-512?
Yes, it retains the AVX-512 instruction set.
What is the part number for the IPU version?
SRK07. The non-IPU version is SRK08.
How many PCIe lanes does it have?
4 direct PCIe 4.0 lanes, same as the standard 1115G4.
Is it good for students?
It is adequate for basic schoolwork and video classes, but students who multitask heavily with many browser tabs may find 2 cores limiting.
What is the L3 cache size?
6 MB, identical to the non-IPU variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the launch price?
$281.
What is the boost clock?
4.1 GHz.
Does it support DDR5?
No, it supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X.
What is the max turbo power?
52W (PL2).
Is it still in production?
Yes, listed as Active in the source data.
What socket does it use?
BGA 1449.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the integrated graphics?
Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4.
When was it released?
September 2, 2020.
Can the multiplier be unlocked?
No.