Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Processor N97 vs Intel Core i5-1245U vs Intel Core i3-1215U

Intel Processor N97

► remove from comparison Intel N97

The Intel Processor N97 is an entry-level mobile CPU for thin and light laptops from the Alder Lake-N series. It was announced in early 2023 and offers no performance cores and 4 of the 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The chip does not support HyperThreading and clocks with up to 3.7 GHz. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 6 MB L3-cache. 

Performance

The performance should be between the Intel Processor N100 and Intel Processor N200 and clearly below the Core i3-N300 and N305 due to the reduced core count. 

Features

The Alder Lake-N chips only support single channel memory with up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 or LPDDR5-4800. The chip also supports Quick Sync and AV1 decoding (most likely same engine as in Alder Lake). Furthermore, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 are partly integrated (but no Thunderbolt). External chips can be connected via PCIe Gen3 x9 (via the PCH).

The integrated graphics adapter is based on the Xe-architecture and offers only 24 of the 32 EUs (Execution Units) operating at 1200 MHz. Due to the single channel memory, low clock speeds, and low shader count, the gaming performance of the iGPU is very limited.

Power consumption

The N97 has a base power consumption of 12 W and therefore double the amount of the N100. The CPU is built with a further improved 10nm SuperFin process at Intel (called Intel 7).

Intel Core i5-1245U

► remove from comparison Intel i5-1245U

The Intel Core i5-1245U is a mid-range mobile CPU for thin and light laptops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was announced in early 2022 and offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 12 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 1.6 to 4.4 GHz on the performance cluster and 1.2 to 3.3 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 12 MB L3 cache. Compared to the i7-1265U (fastest U-series CPU at launch), the 1245U offers lower clock speeds, a slower iGPU, but the full "Enterprise" vPro management features. Compared to the P-series (28W) or H-series (45W), the 15W TDP may limit the sustained performance.

Performance

Thanks to the 10 cores, the multi-threaded performance should be clearly faster than the older quad-core Tiger Lake CPUs with 15 Watt (like the Intel Core i7-1160G7). The sustained performance will be limited by the TDP setting and thermals and therefore only short term loads. Thanks to the architectural improvements of the big Golden Cove cores, the single thread performance should be better than similar clocked Tiger Lake CPUs.

Features

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, and LPDDR4x-4267. The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for a GPU and two x4 for SSDs).

The integrated graphics adapter is based on the Xe-architecture and offers 80 of the 96 EUs (Execution Units) operating at up to 1.2 GHz.

The CPU is rated at 15 W base power (TDP, PL1) and 55 W max. Turbo power (PL2) and the whole SoC is manufactured on a 10nm process at Intel, which is known as Intel 7.

Intel Core i3-1215U

► remove from comparison Intel i3-1215U

The Intel Core i3-1215U is a mid-range mobile CPU for thin and light laptops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was announced in early 2022 and offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 8 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 1.2 to 4.4 GHz on the performance cluster and 0.9 to 3.3 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 10 MB L3-cache. Compared to the faster i5 and i7 models, the i3 does not include vPro features.

Performance

The average 1215U in our database is in the same league as the Ryzen 3 5300U and also the Core i7-1185G7, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is decent enough of a result, as of late 2022. For an entry-level CPU, that is.

Your mileage may vary depending on how competent the cooling solution of your laptop is, and how high the CPU power limits are.

Features

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, and LPDDR4x-4267. The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for a GPU and two x4 for SSDs).

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and offers 64 of the 96 EUs (Execution Units) operating at up to 1.1 GHz.

The CPU is rated at 15 W base power (TDP, PL1) and 55 W max. Turbo power (PL2) and the whole SoC is manufactured in a 10nm process at Intel, which is known as Intel 7.

ModelIntel Processor N97Intel Core i5-1245UIntel Core i3-1215U
CodenameAlder Lake-NAlder Lake-UAlder Lake-U
SeriesIntel Alder Lake-NIntel Alder Lake-MIntel Alder Lake-M
Series: Alder Lake-M Alder Lake-U
Intel Core i3-N3051.8 - 3.8 GHz8 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i3-N300 - 3.8 GHz8 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Processor N2001 - 3.7 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Processor N97 « - 3.6 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Processor N95 - 3.4 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Processor N1001 - 3.4 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Processor N501 - 3.4 GHz2 / 2 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1265U1.3 - 4.8 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1255U1.2 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1245U « 1.2 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1235U0.9 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1260U0.8 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1250U0.8 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1240U0.8 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1230U0.7 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i3-1215U0.9 - 4.4 GHz6 / 8 cores10 MB L3
Intel Pentium 85050.9 - 4.4 GHz5 / 6 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i3-1210U0.7 - 4.4 GHz6 / 8 cores10 MB L3
Intel Pentium 85000.7 - 4.4 GHz5 / 6 cores8 MB L3
Intel Celeron 73050.9 - 1.1 GHz5 / 5 cores8 MB L3
Intel Celeron 73000.7 - 1 GHz5 / 5 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1265U1.3 - 4.8 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1255U1.2 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1245U1.2 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1235U0.9 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1260U0.8 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-1250U0.8 - 4.7 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1240U0.8 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-1230U0.7 - 4.4 GHz10 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i3-1215U « 0.9 - 4.4 GHz6 / 8 cores10 MB L3
Intel Pentium 85050.9 - 4.4 GHz5 / 6 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i3-1210U0.7 - 4.4 GHz6 / 8 cores10 MB L3
Intel Pentium 85000.7 - 4.4 GHz5 / 6 cores8 MB L3
Intel Celeron 73050.9 - 1.1 GHz5 / 5 cores8 MB L3
Intel Celeron 73000.7 - 1 GHz5 / 5 cores8 MB L3
Clock <=3600 MHz1200 - 4400 MHz900 - 4400 MHz
L3 Cache6 MB12 MB10 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 4
4 x 3.6 GHz Intel Crestmont E-Core
10 / 126 / 8
TDP12 Watt15 Watt15 Watt
Technology10 nm10 nm10 nm
max. Temp.105 °C100 °C100 °C
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) ( - 1200 MHz)Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ( - 1200 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 64EUs (Alder Lake 12th Gen) ( - 1100 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com
L1 Cache928 KB544 KB
L2 Cache9.5 MB5 MB
SocketBGA1744BGA1744
FeaturesDDR4-3200/LPDDR4x-4266/DDR5-4800/LPDDR5-5200 RAM, PCIe 4, Thr. Dir., DL B., GNA, vProe Ent., RPE, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, SMEP, SMAP, EIST, TM1, TM2, HT, Turbo, SST, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHADDR4-3200/LPDDR4x-4266/DDR5-4800/LPDDR5-5200 RAM, PCIe 4, Thr. Dir., DL Boost, GNA, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, SMEP, SMAP, EIST, TM1, TM2, HT, Turbo, SST, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - N97
25.8 pt (43%)
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i5-1245U
34.8 pt (58%)
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i3-1215U
32.2 pt (54%)
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Cinebench 2024 - Cinebench 2024 CPU Single Core
100%
1 N97 +
63 Points (35%)
Cinebench 2024 - Cinebench 2024 CPU Multi Core
100%
1 N97 +
192 Points (4%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
100%
N97 +
2913 Points (3%)
8199 Points (8%)
min: 4561     avg: 5182     median: 5181.5 (5%)     max: 5802 Points
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
100%
N97 +
973 Points (41%)
1690 Points (71%)
min: 1442     avg: 1512     median: 1511.5 (64%)     max: 1581 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
100%
N97 +
371 Points (40%)
649 Points (71%)
min: 557     avg: 582     median: 581.5 (63%)     max: 606 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
100%
N97 +
1115 Points (3%)
3153 Points (8%)
min: 1734     avg: 1966     median: 1966 (5%)     max: 2198 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
N97 +
479 Points (3%)
1311 Points (8%)
min: 786     avg: 809     median: 809 (5%)     max: 832 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
N97 +
161 Points (45%)
242 Points (67%)
min: 208     avg: 217.5     median: 217.5 (60%)     max: 227 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
N97 +
6 Points (8%)
16.2 Points (21%)
11 Points (14%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
N97 +
1.9 Points (46%)
2.9 Points (69%)
2.8 Points (66%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
N97 +
5445 Points (33%)
8303 Points (50%)
7879 Points (48%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
N97 +
15323 Points (11%)
37663 Points (27%)
19430 Points (14%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
N97 +
24158 Points (15%)
61863 Points (40%)
40308 Points (26%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
N97 +
8567 Points (10%)
13501 Points (16%)
12816 Points (16%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
N97 +
523 s (6%)
229.1 s (3%)
98.3 s (1%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
N97 +
16.8 s (3%)
5.4 s (1%)
3.4 s (1%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
N97 +
2321 Points (4%)
6154 Points (10%)
7944 Points (13%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multi Thread 4 runs
100%
N97 +
13174 MIPS (8%)
35918 MIPS (21%)
min: 20873     avg: 22883     median: 22883 (13%)     max: 24893 MIPS
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
100%
N97 +
4019 MIPS (47%)
5097 MIPS (60%)
min: 4934     avg: 5032     median: 5031.5 (59%)     max: 5129 MIPS
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
N97 +
34.9 fps (12%)
78.4 fps (26%)
50.1 fps (17%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
N97 +
174.8 fps (40%)
263 fps (61%)
199.3 fps (46%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
N97 +
3.5 fps (6%)
9.5 fps (17%)
min: 5.31     avg: 5.3     median: 5.3 (9%)     max: 5.33 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
N97 +
0.3 GB/s (8%)
0.9 GB/s (26%)
1.1 GB/s (32%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
N97 +
0.5 GB/s (9%)
1.5 GB/s (26%)
1.7 GB/s (29%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
N97 +
2.9 GB/s (8%)
9.2 GB/s (24%)
11.6 GB/s (30%)
Blender - Blender 3.3 Classroom CPU *
100%
N97 +
2014 Seconds (26%)
712 Seconds (9%)
min: 1246     avg: 1250     median: 1249.5 (16%)     max: 1253 Seconds
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
N97 +
1020 Seconds (7%)
388 Seconds (3%)
min: 645     avg: 665     median: 664.5 (5%)     max: 684 Seconds
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
100%
N97 +
0.8 sec (17%)
0.5 sec (11%)
min: 0.547     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (12%)     max: 0.551 sec
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
100%
N97 +
6461 Points (14%)
12162 Points (26%)
0 Points (0%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
N97 +
18.4 s (4%)
8.4 s (2%)
7.3 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
N97 +
38.3 s (2%)
18.8 s (1%)
15.8 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
N97 +
786 s (3%)
442.8 s (2%)
372.4 s (2%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 N97 +
15578 Points (12%)
44705 Points (34%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
N97 +
6118 Points (15%)
16005 Points (39%)
min: 7942     avg: 9992     median: 9991.5 (25%)     max: 12041 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
N97 +
50003 Points (41%)
63413 Points (52%)
58615 Points (48%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
100%
N97 +
50545 Points (41%)
65043 Points (53%)
58454 Points (47%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 N97 +
52858 Points (44%)
74670 Points (62%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
N97 +
4565 Points (12%)
12073 Points (31%)
7972 Points (20%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
N97 +
6473 Points (12%)
18467 Points (33%)
min: 10502     avg: 12516     median: 12516 (22%)     max: 14530 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
100%
N97 +
2493 Points (11%)
6185 Points (26%)
min: 3321     avg: 3539     median: 3539 (15%)     max: 3757 Points
Geekbench 6.4 - Geekbench 6.4 Single-Core
100%
N97 +
1300 Points (32%)
2136 Points (53%)
2082 Points (52%)
Geekbench 6.4 - Geekbench 6.4 Multi-Core
100%
N97 +
3181 Points (12%)
8356 Points (32%)
5213 Points (20%)
Geekbench 6.0 - Geekbench 6.0 Single-Core
100%
1 N97 +
1247 Points (40%)
Geekbench 6.0 - Geekbench 6.0 Multi-Core
100%
1 N97 +
3029 Points (12%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
N97 +
1060 Points (41%)
min: 1675     avg: 1699     median: 1698.5 (66%)     max: 1722 Points
min: 1506     avg: 1539     median: 1539 (60%)     max: 1572 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
N97 +
2757 Points (5%)
min: 8154     avg: 8610     median: 8609.5 (15%)     max: 9065 Points
min: 4502     avg: 5259     median: 5258.5 (9%)     max: 6015 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
N97 +
1052 Points (5%)
1585 Points (7%)
1501 Points (7%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
N97 +
2738 Points (9%)
8911 Points (28%)
6005 Points (19%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
N97 +
4703 Points (47%)
7065 Points (71%)
6801 Points (68%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
N97 +
10893 Points (11%)
33040 Points (33%)
23138 Points (23%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
N97 +
975 ms (1%)
575 ms (1%)
min: 607     avg: 608     median: 608 (1%)     max: 609 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
78716 Points (59%)
WebXPRT 4 - WebXPRT 4 Score
100%
N97 +
145.3 Points (40%)
240 Points (66%)
min: 215     avg: 237.5     median: 237.5 (65%)     max: 260 Points
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
100%
N97 +
191.4 Points (34%)
271 Points (49%)
min: 256     avg: 312     median: 312 (56%)     max: 368 Points
CrossMark - CrossMark Overall
100%
N97 +
844 Points (32%)
1577 Points (59%)
min: 1201     avg: 1267     median: 1267 (47%)     max: 1333 Points
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 N97 +
37.1 Watt (6%)
55.4 Watt (10%)
min: 28.1     avg: 31.1     median: 31.1 (5%)     max: 34 Watt
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 N97 +
28.4 Watt (5%)
83.7 Watt (15%)
min: 33     avg: 40.5     median: 40.5 (7%)     max: 47.9 Watt
Power Consumption - Idle Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 N97 +
13.5 Watt (9%)
12.9 Watt (9%)
min: 3.9     avg: 4.3     median: 4.3 (3%)     max: 4.68 Watt
Power Consumption - Idle Power Consumption 150cd 1min *
min: 5.41     avg: 5.7     median: 5.7 (6%)     max: 6.07 Watt
Power Consumption - Power Efficiency - Cinebench R15 Multi external Monitor
min: 17.4     avg: 20.6     median: 20.6 (15%)     max: 23.8 Points per Watt

Average Benchmarks Intel Processor N97 → 100% n=48

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-1245U → 222% n=48

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i3-1215U → 192% n=48

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
red legend - Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.33
log 22. 14:53:05

#0 ran 0s before starting gpusingle class +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 14969 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 14076 +0s ... 0s

#3 checking url part for id 14098 +0s ... 0s

#4 redirected to Ajax server, took 1753188785s time from redirect:0 +0s ... 0s

#5 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:17:04 +0200 +0s ... 0s

#6 composed specs +0.007s ... 0.008s

#7 did output specs +0s ... 0.008s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 14969 +0.004s ... 0.011s

#9 got single benchmarks 14969 +0.005s ... 0.016s

#10 getting avg benchmarks for device 14076 +0.004s ... 0.02s

#11 got single benchmarks 14076 +0.005s ... 0.025s

#12 getting avg benchmarks for device 14098 +0.003s ... 0.028s

#13 got single benchmarks 14098 +0.009s ... 0.037s

#14 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.037s

#15 No cached benchmark found, getting uncached values +0.033s ... 0.07s

#16 min, max, avg, median took s +0.033s ... 0.103s

#17 return log +0s ... 0.103s

Please share our article, every link counts!
Mail Logo
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)