Intel Core i3-1115G4 vs Intel Core i5-7400 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two processors cleanly along workload lines. The Intel Core i5-7400 wins 7 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4 wins 12. The i5-7400 is the choice for tasks that stress data compression, extended instruction sets, physics simulation, floating-point math, and random string sorting. The i3-1115G4 is the choice for single-threaded responsiveness, integer math, encryption, and the Cinebench rendering suite across R15, R20, and R23.

The i3-1115G4 also wins the overall multi-thread score on PassMark (5915 vs 5475, a 7.4% advantage) despite having only 2 cores against the i5-7400's 4 cores. However, the i5-7400 counters in Geekbench multicore with a 2740 vs 2465 result, an 11.2% lead. The average benchmark score favors the i5-7400 at 7469 versus 6851 for the i3-1115G4, though both sit at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs. Buyers needing a desktop part with broader multi-core throughput in Geekbench should select the i5-7400; those prioritizing portable operation and newer single-core performance should select the i3-1115G4.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and target different market segments. The i5-7400 is a Kaby Lake desktop part built on the 14 nm process, with 4 cores and 4 threads. It uses the Intel Socket 1151 and carries a 65 W TDP. Its L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 256 KB per core, and L3 is 6 MB shared. Memory support is limited to DDR4 with dual-channel operation and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are HD 630. The part number is SR32W, and it launched in January 2017.

The i3-1115G4 is a Tiger Lake-U mobile part built on the 10 nm process, with 2 cores and 4 threads. It uses Intel BGA 1449 and carries a 15 W TDP. Its L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is also 6 MB shared. Memory support includes DDR4 and LPDDR4X, still dual-channel, though no bandwidth figure is recorded. PCIe is Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4. The die size is 144 mm², the part number is SRK08, and it launched in September 2020. The i3-1115G4 has a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.50 GHz) but a lower base clock (2.20 GHz vs 3.00 GHz). The launch MSRP for the i3-1115G4 is $281; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i5-7400.

The newer 10 nm process and Willow Cove-U core architecture give the i3-1115G4 a per-core efficiency advantage, but the i5-7400 compensates with double the physical cores. Both have 6 MB of shared L3, but the i3-1115G4's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches reflect its newer design. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both reject ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-7400 dominates in data compression (76268 vs 62444, a 22.1% lead) and random string sorting (9301 vs 7662, a 21.4% lead). It also wins extended instructions (6452 vs 4588, a 40.6% lead) and floating-point math (12042 vs 10791, an 11.6% lead). Physics simulation goes to the i5-7400 as well (438 vs 410, a 6.8% lead), and it wins the prime number test (27 vs 25, an 8% lead). Geekbench multicore also favors the i5-7400, as noted above.

The i3-1115G4 wins every Cinebench test in the database: R15 multicore (497 vs 469), R15 singlecore (70 vs 66), R20 multicore (2071 vs 1956), R20 singlecore (292 vs 275), R23 multicore (4933 vs 4658), and R23 singlecore (696 vs 657). Each of these wins sits in a narrow band between 5.6% and 5.8%. The i3-1115G4 also wins Geekbench singlecore by a wide margin (1330 vs 1043, a 21.6% lead) and PassMark singlethread by a similar margin (2585 vs 2074, a 19.8% lead). Data encryption is its largest win (3339 vs 1611, a 51.8% advantage), and integer math also goes its way (17472 vs 14293, an 18.2% lead). PassMark multithread favors the i3-1115G4 (5915 vs 5475, a 7.4% lead).

The pattern is consistent: the i5-7400 wins where sustained parallel throughput on four physical cores matters, while the i3-1115G4 wins where per-thread performance and newer instruction efficiency dominate. For desktop workloads like compression, sorting, and floating-point number crunching, the i5-7400 is the stronger part. For mobile use, encryption, and anything sensitive to single-thread speed, the i3-1115G4 is clearly ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-1115G4 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The i3-1115G4 wins PassMark singlethread with a score of 2585 versus 2074 for the i5-7400, a 19.8% advantage. It also leads Geekbench singlecore (1330 vs 1043, a 21.6% margin) and every Cinebench singlecore test.

Q: Which processor wins in data compression?

A: The i5-7400 wins PassMark data compression with a score of 76268 against 62444 for the i3-1115G4, a 22.1% lead. It also wins random string sorting (9301 vs 7662, a 21.4% margin).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-7400 has a TDP of 65 W, while the i3-1115G4 has a TDP of 15 W. The i3-1115G4 is designed for mobile use with a much lower power envelope.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i3-1115G4 boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the i5-7400 boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i5-7400 has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz for the i3-1115G4.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-7400 has an average benchmark score of 7469, while the i3-1115G4 scores 6851. Both processors sit at the 63rd percentile across all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest single win in the entire comparison belongs to the i3-1115G4 in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 3339 against the i5-7400's 1611, a 51.8% difference. This is an enormous gap and indicates a fundamental architectural advantage for the newer part in cryptographic workloads. The next largest win is the i5-7400's 40.6% lead in extended instructions (6452 vs 4588), followed by the i3-1115G4's 21.6% lead in Geekbench singlecore (1330 vs 1043) and its 19.8% lead in PassMark singlethread (2585 vs 2074).

The i5-7400 shows its strength in data compression with a 22.1% win (76268 vs 62444) and in random string sorting with a 21.4% win (9301 vs 7662). It also takes floating-point math by 11.6% (12042 vs 10791), Geekbench multicore by 11.2% (2740 vs 2465), and prime number finding by 8% (27 vs 25). Physics simulation goes to the i5-7400 by 6.8% (438 vs 410).

The i3-1115G4's Cinebench wins are remarkably consistent, all falling between 5.6% and 5.8% across the three versions and both multicore and singlecore tests. In R15, it scores 497 vs 469 multicore and 70 vs 66 singlecore. In R20, it scores 2071 vs 1956 multicore and 292 vs 275 singlecore. In R23, it scores 4933 vs 4658 multicore and 696 vs 657 singlecore. Integer math also favors the i3-1115G4 by 18.2% (17472 vs 14293), and PassMark multithread goes to it by 7.4% (5915 vs 5475).

The win count of 12 for the i3-1115G4 versus 7 for the i5-7400 might suggest overall superiority, but the magnitude of the i5-7400's wins in data-heavy and math-heavy tasks is substantial. Conversely, the i3-1115G4's encryption win is so large that it nearly doubles the i5-7400's output. The data shows a clear split: the i3-1115G4 is the better all-around mobile performer, while the i5-7400 retains specific desktop strengths that newer architecture does not fully overcome.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The i5-7400 uses 4 cores and 4 threads; the i3-1115G4 uses 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for the i5-7400 and 2.20 GHz for the i3-1115G4. Boost clocks are 3.50 GHz and 4.10 GHz, respectively. TDP is 65 W versus 15 W. Sockets are Intel Socket 1151 versus Intel BGA 1449. Architecture is Kaby Lake versus Tiger Lake, with process nodes of 14 nm versus 10 nm. The i3-1115G4 has a recorded die size of 144 mm²; no die size is recorded for the i5-7400.

Cache configurations differ per core: the i5-7400 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, while the i3-1115G4 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Shared L3 is 6 MB for both. Memory support is DDR4 for the i5-7400, and DDR4 plus LPDDR4X for the i3-1115G4. Memory bandwidth is recorded at 38.4 GB/s for the i5-7400, with no figure for the i3-1115G4. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i5-7400, versus Gen 4 with 4 lanes for the i3-1115G4. Integrated graphics are HD 630 versus Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are January 2017 versus September 2020. Part numbers are SR32W versus SRK08. The i3-1115G4 has a launch MSRP of $281, while the i5-7400 has no recorded MSRP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC support.