Quick Verdict
A specialized embedded processor that trades standard PCIe lanes and core count for industrial features like the IPU 6.0 and long-term availability, targeting specific edge AI and vision use cases.
Overview
Launch
2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Gen (Tiger Lake)
Market
Mobile (Embedded)
The Intel Core i3-1115G4E is a 2-core, 4-thread embedded mobile processor featuring Willow Cove architecture, UHD Graphics G4 (48EU), and an IPU 6.0, designed for industrial edge computing and embedded visual systems.
The i3-1115G4E is an embedded variant of Tiger Lake, featuring two Willow Cove cores, UHD G4 48EU graphics, and a dedicated Intel Processing Unit 6.0 for edge AI inference. It uses a limited 4-lane PCIe 4.
0 configuration tailored for compact embedded boards.
Specifications
Performance
Handles the UI and logic for single-purpose embedded systems well, but not suited for general productivity.
Two cores are insufficient for meaningful virtualization in embedded environments.
Not designed or intended for gaming applications.
Highly efficient for always-on industrial environments, especially when power-capped at 12 W.
- •This is an embedded processor, gaming performance is not a relevant metric
- •The IPU 6.0 is specifically designed to accelerate edge vision and AI inference workloads
- •Lacks the NPU power of modern dedicated edge AI chips but is sufficient for basic classification tasks
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U (Embedded)
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-1115G4E utilizes the standard Willow Cove architecture but is paired with specialized embedded peripherals. The most notable addition is the Intel Processing Unit (IPU) 6.0, a dedicated hardware block designed to handle image signal processing and computer vision tasks independently from the CPU cores.
CPU Design
It features two Willow Cove cores with 1.25 MB of L2 cache each, sharing a 6 MB L3 cache. The 'E' suffix denotes its embedded market targeting, meaning it undergoes different validation processes focused on thermal cycling and extended lifespan.
Memory Subsystem
Supports dual-channel DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-3733. The memory bandwidth is critical here as it must feed both the CPU cores and the IPU 6.0 simultaneously.
PCIe & I/O
Unusually, it only features 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU. This is a deliberate limitation for embedded designs that typically only need a single NVMe drive or a specialized I/O card.
Overclocking
Fully locked. Embedded systems require strict thermal and power predictability.
- First embedded i3 to feature the Willow Cove architecture
- Introduction of the IPU 6.0 for edge vision
- PCIe 4.0 support added over previous embedded generations
Key Highlights
- IPU 6.0 provides dedicated hardware acceleration for edge vision tasks
- Embedded validation ensures long-term availability and reliability
- Configurable TDP down to 12 W for fanless industrial designs
- Low 2-core power draw is ideal for compact edge devices
- UHD G4 48EU graphics handle multi-display signage well
- Only 2 physical cores limit general compute performance
- Restricted to 4 PCIe lanes, limiting expansion options
- Not available through consumer retail channels
- No DDR5 support
- High launch price of $285 for a 2-core chip reflects embedded margins
History
The i3-1115G4E represents Intel's strategy of adapting its consumer mobile architectures for the lucrative industrial embedded market. When Tiger Lake launched in 2020, the embedded division took the Willow Cove die and tailored it for edge computing. The defining feature of the 1115G4E was the inclusion of the IPU 6.
0.<br><br>Intel recognized that the future of industrial computing was shifting toward machine vision—factories needing to inspect products, smart cameras analyzing traffic, and kiosks reading facial expressions. Instead of using the CPU cores for these tasks, the IPU 6.
0 provided a dedicated hardware pipeline. By pairing this with a low-power 2-core configuration and limiting the PCIe lanes to just 4, Intel created a highly integrated, cost-effective system-on-a-chip for OEMs building single-purpose edge devices, ensuring these components would remain available for the typical 7-year industrial product lifecycle.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- First embedded i3 to feature the Willow Cove architecture
- Introduction of the IPU 6.0 for edge vision
- PCIe 4.0 support added over previous embedded generations
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
The i3-1115G4E is strictly a business-to-business component purchased by OEMs and system integrators through Intel's embedded channels. You should specify this processor if you are designing an industrial edge device that requires the IPU 6.0 for machine vision, needs guaranteed 7+ year component availability, and operates in an environment where a 12W to 28W power envelope is mandatory. Do not buy this for a consumer laptop or desktop build, as it lacks the PCIe lanes and core count for general computing, and it cannot be purchased through normal retail channels anyway.
Avoid if…
- Building a consumer PC or laptop
- Needing high multi-threaded compute performance
- Requiring standard retail support and warranties
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 'E' suffix in this specific context stands for Embedded, different from the desktop 'E' series which denoted older architectures.
It includes an Intel IPU 6.0, a feature rarely found on non-embedded mobile processors of its era.
Despite having UHD Graphics, the source documentation lists an Iris Xe Graphics dynamic frequency of 1250 MHz, highlighting the hybrid nature of the silicon.
It has only 4 PCIe lanes, exactly one quarter of the lanes found on the consumer i3-1125G4.
The 2.2 GHz base clock is actually higher than the consumer i3-1110G4's 1.8 GHz, likely to ensure responsive industrial UIs.
It supports Intel VMD (Volume Management Device), a feature typically used in enterprise storage arrays.
Like other Tiger Lake parts, it retains AVX-512 instruction support.
Embedded processors like this often undergo over 1000 hours of specific thermal cycling validation.
The 52 W PL2 turbo power allows it to briefly process complex machine vision frames before dropping back to base power.
It was designed to compete directly with embedded AMD Ryzen V-Series and specialized ARM edge chips.
People Also Ask
What does the 'E' mean in Intel Core i3-1115G4E?
In this context, it designates an Embedded segment processor with guaranteed long-term availability and industrial validation.
What is the Intel IPU 6.0?
It is an Image Processing Unit designed to offload computer vision and AI inference tasks from the main CPU cores.
How many PCIe lanes does the i3-1115G4E have?
It has 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes, which is fewer than consumer Tiger Lake chips.
Can I buy the i3-1115G4E for a laptop?
No, it is sold exclusively through Intel's embedded B2B distribution channels.
What is the difference between i3-1115G4E and i3-1110G4?
The 1115G4E adds the IPU 6.0, LPDDR4X support, and embedded validation, but has fewer PCIe lanes (4 vs 16).
Does the i3-1115G4E support DDR5?
No, it supports DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-3733.
What is the TDP of the i3-1115G4E?
The base TDP is 15 W, configurable down to 12 W and up to 28 W.
Is the i3-1115G4E good for AI?
It is adequate for basic edge AI inference and machine vision tasks thanks to the IPU 6.0, but it is not a high-performance AI accelerator.
How many cores does it have?
2 physical cores and 4 threads.
What is the launch price?
$285.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does it use?
BGA 1449.
What is the base clock?
2.2 GHz.
What is the max boost clock?
3.9 GHz.
How much L3 cache does it have?
6 MB.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What integrated graphics does it have?
UHD Graphics G4 with 48 Execution Units.
What is the part number?
SRK12.
Can it be overclocked?
No.
What is the TJ Max?
100°C.
Does it support AVX-512?
Yes.