AMD Ryzen 7 1700 vs Intel Core i5-1130G7 Comparison

Intel Core i5-1130G7 and AMD Ryzen 7 1700 occupy different corners of the CPU market, and their benchmark results reflect that divide. The Ryzen 7 1700 wins both head-to-head Cinebench tests by significant margins, leveraging its extra cores and threads to dominate multi-threaded workloads. The Core i5-1130G7, however, is a mobile Tiger Lake part with a much lower TDP, meaning its value lies in efficiency and platform features rather than raw compute. The data shows a clear trade-off between raw throughput and power consumption, with the AMD part being the obvious choice for heavy workloads and the Intel chip suited for thin-and-light systems.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is the clear winner in raw processing power. It takes both head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a 50.1% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 32.7% lead in single-core. Its 8 cores and 16 threads allow it to crush multi-threaded tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation, where the Core i5-1130G7’s 4 cores and 8 threads simply cannot keep up. The Ryzen 7 1700 also posts a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1414 versus the i5’s 706, and a single-core score of 147 versus 99. These are not close calls; the AMD part is dominant in every measured compute scenario.

The Intel Core i5-1130G7 does not win any head-to-head benchmark in this data set. Its wins are contextual, not numerical. As a 15W mobile processor, it is designed for battery-powered devices where the 65W Ryzen 7 1700 would be impractical. The i5 also features integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, which the Ryzen 7 1700 lacks entirely, making the Intel part a self-contained solution for basic graphics output. For a laptop user who needs occasional CPU bursts but mostly light workloads, the i5-1130G7’s low power draw and integrated GPU are its advantages, though these do not show up in the provided Cinebench scores.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is built on Intel’s 10 nm process node, using the Tiger Lake architecture and Willow Cove-U cores. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The chip supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. It connects via PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and integrates Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The TDP is just 15W, and it uses the Intel BGA 1598 socket, indicating a soldered mobile design.

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is a desktop part built on GlobalFoundries’ 14 nm process, using the original Zen architecture (Summit Ridge). It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Its cache includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB of shared L3. It also supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, but with a lower memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. It uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and has no integrated graphics. The TDP is 65W, and it fits the AMD Socket AM4. Notably, the Ryzen 7 1700 supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-1130G7 does not. The Ryzen chip also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1414 versus the Intel Core i5-1130G7’s 706, a 50.1% lead. Its 8 cores and 16 threads give it a massive advantage over the i5’s 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1130G7 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it features Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has no integrated graphics at all, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Can the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 be overclocked?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1130G7 does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for error-sensitive workloads like servers or workstations.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The two CPUs have nearly identical average benchmark scores. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 scores 2026, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 scores 2015, a difference of less than 1%. Both sit at the 45th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i5-1130G7 has a TDP of 15W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has a TDP of 65W. This makes the Intel part far more suitable for mobile devices, while the AMD part requires a desktop cooling solution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel base clock is 1100.00 MHz with a boost of 4.00 GHz, while the AMD base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz. The Intel part uses a 10 nm process, the AMD part uses 14 nm. The L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core on the Intel, versus 512 KB per core on the AMD. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the Intel, versus 16 MB shared on the AMD. Memory bandwidth favors the Intel at 68.3 GB/s, versus 42.7 GB/s on the AMD. The Intel uses PCIe Gen 4, the AMD uses PCIe Gen 3. The Intel has integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, the AMD has none. The Intel TDP is 15W, the AMD TDP is 65W. The Intel uses the Intel BGA 1598 socket, the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4. The Intel does not support ECC memory, the AMD does. The Intel has a locked multiplier, the AMD has an unlocked one. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 also has a listed transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², while the Intel part lists neither.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data includes two Cinebench tests, and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins both decisively. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1414 against the Intel’s 706, a delta of -50.1% from the Intel’s perspective. This means the Ryzen 7 1700 delivers roughly double the multi-threaded performance, an enormous gap that reflects the 2x core and thread count advantage. For tasks like rendering or video encoding, this translates to nearly half the processing time.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins again, scoring 147 versus the Intel’s 99, a delta of -32.7%. This is more surprising, given that the Intel chip has a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus the AMD’s 3.70 GHz. The data suggests that the older Zen architecture’s single-thread performance, while behind modern Intel cores, still outpaces the low-power Tiger Lake part in this specific test. The Intel’s low base clock of 1100.00 MHz likely drags down its single-core score, as the chip may not sustain high clocks under load.

The broader benchmark picture shows that the Intel Core i5-1130G7 scores 2942 in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 415 in single-core, plus 7006 in R23 multi-core and 989 in single-core. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has no R20 or R23 scores listed, but its Geekbench scores are 5475 multi-core and 1023 single-core. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (2026 for Intel, 2015 for AMD), placing both at the 45th percentile, but this aggregate hides the fact that the Ryzen 7 1700 wins every direct comparison available.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is the superior processor for anyone who needs raw compute performance. It wins both head-to-head Cinebench tests by 50.1% and 32.7%, respectively, and its 8-core/16-thread configuration makes it the only choice for multi-threaded workloads like rendering, compiling, or heavy multitasking. Its support for ECC memory and unlocked multiplier also make it more flexible for workstation or overclocking scenarios. The 65W TDP and lack of integrated graphics mean it requires a discrete GPU and a proper desktop cooler, but for a stationary system, that is a reasonable trade-off.

The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is not a competitive alternative in raw performance, but it serves a different purpose entirely. Its 15W TDP and integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU make it a viable option for ultraportable laptops where battery life and compactness matter more than compute power. The data shows it is roughly comparable to the Ryzen 7 1700 in average benchmark score (2026 vs 2015), but that parity is misleading; the Intel chip achieves it with far less power and in a smaller form factor. For a user building a desktop or a workstation, the Ryzen 7 1700 is the clear pick. For a user buying a thin-and-light laptop, the Core i5-1130G7 is the only practical option between these two, even if its performance is lower. Choose based on the physical system you need, not just the benchmark numbers.