Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-1155G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Intel Core i3-1125G4 are both mobile processors built on the same Tiger Lake-U platform, yet benchmark results show a clear split in their performance profiles. The i5-1155G7 dominates in rendering workloads, winning seven out of eight head-to-head tests, while the i3-1125G4 claims a single, but notable, victory in Geekbench multi-core. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, how their architectures differ, and what the raw numbers indicate for real-world tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a straightforward division: the Intel Core i5-1155G7 is the stronger choice for sustained, multi-threaded rendering and single-threaded responsiveness, while the Intel Core i3-1125G4 shows an edge in a specific multi-core synthetic workload. In Cinebench tests—which stress CPU rendering performance—the i5-1155G7 wins every round, from R15 to R23, in both multi-core and single-core modes. Its advantage is consistent, sitting at approximately 3.6% to 3.9% over the i3-1125G4 across these tests. This makes the i5-1155G7 the better fit for tasks like 3D rendering, video encoding, or any workload that leverages Cinebench's rendering engine.

Conversely, the i3-1125G4 wins the Geekbench multi-core test with a score of 4509 versus the i5-1155G7's 4246, a delta of -5.8% from the i5's perspective. This is a significant outlier in the dataset, as the i5-1155G7 leads in all other multi-core tests. The Geekbench suite often measures different aspects of CPU behavior, including memory and cryptographic workloads, which may favor the i3-1125G4's configuration. For users prioritizing Geekbench multi-core scores specifically, the i3-1125G4 holds a distinct advantage, but for broader rendering performance, the i5-1155G7 is superior.

Single-core performance is also a win for the i5-1155G7, with a 7.7% lead in Geekbench single-core (1574 vs 1461) and a 3.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (115 vs 111). This indicates better responsiveness in everyday applications and lighter, single-threaded tasks. Overall, the i5-1155G7 is the more versatile performer, with the i3-1125G4 being a niche winner in one specific benchmark.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Tiger Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 144 mm². They also have identical core and cache configurations, each featuring 4 cores, 8 threads, 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The foundry is Intel for both, and they use the same Intel BGA 1449 socket. The memory support is also identical, with both supporting DDR4 and LPDDR4X in a dual-channel configuration, and both lack ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is the same, with Gen 4 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The key architectural differences lie in clock speeds, power envelope, and integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-1155G7 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-1125G4 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. This substantial clock advantage—1.3 GHz at boost—explains the i5-1155G7's consistent lead in most benchmarks. The i5-1155G7 also has a higher TDP of 28 watts compared to the i3-1125G4's 15 watts, indicating that the i5 is designed to draw more power and sustain higher performance under load, though it may generate more heat.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-1155G7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units (80EU), while the i3-1125G4 has Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, which typically has fewer execution units. While the FACT PACK does not specify the exact EU count for the G4, the naming convention suggests a lower tier, meaning the i5-1155G7 likely offers better integrated graphics performance for light gaming or media tasks. Production status also differs: the i5-1155G7 is listed as "Active," while the i3-1125G4 is "End-of-life," which may affect long-term availability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data provides a clear quantitative picture of performance differences. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1155G7 scores 822 against the i3-1125G4's 792, a 3.8% lead. The single-core R15 result is closer, with 115 versus 111, a 3.6% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-1155G7 extends its multi-core lead to 3425 versus 3301, again a 3.8% margin, and single-core shows 483 versus 465, a 3.9% edge—the largest relative win for the i5 in the Cinebench suite.

Cinebench R23 results follow the same pattern. The i5-1155G7 achieves 8155 multi-core versus 7860 for the i3-1125G4, a 3.8% advantage, and 1151 single-core versus 1109, a 3.8% margin. These consistent deltas across different Cinebench versions suggest that the performance gap is stable and not an artifact of a single test version. The i5-1155G7's higher clock speeds and TDP clearly translate into a reliable rendering advantage.

The Geekbench results are where the story diverges. In single-core, the i5-1155G7 wins decisively with 1574 versus 1461, a 7.7% lead—the largest margin in any test. This reinforces its strength in tasks that depend on a single thread's clock speed. However, in multi-core, the i3-1125G4 wins with 4509 versus 4246, a -5.8% delta from the i5's perspective. This is a surprising reversal, given that the i3-1125G4 has a lower base clock and TDP. The Geekbench multi-core test may be more sensitive to memory latency or other architectural factors that favor the i3-1125G4, but the data shows a clear win for the i3 in this specific metric.

Overall, the i5-1155G7 wins 7 out of 8 benchmarks, with the i3-1125G4's sole victory being significant but isolated. For users relying on Cinebench scores as a proxy for CPU rendering performance, the i5-1155G7 is the clear choice. For those who prioritize Geekbench multi-core, the i3-1125G4 offers a surprising edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1155G7 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-1125G4 has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-1125G4 ever outperform the i5-1155G7?

A: Yes, in the Geekbench multi-core test, the i3-1125G4 scores 4509 compared to the i5-1155G7's 4246, a 5.8% advantage.

Q: Are the cache sizes the same for both processors?

A: Yes, both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-1155G7 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a better integrated graphics solution?

A: The i5-1155G7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units (80EU), while the i3-1125G4 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, which is a lower-tier configuration.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-1155G7 is listed as "Active," while the Intel Core i3-1125G4 is listed as "End-of-life."

Specification Differences

The following table highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the FACT PACK.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1155G7 | Intel Core i3-1125G4 |

|----------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 80EU | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2021-05-30 | 2021-03-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $281 |

| Part Number | SRKSF | SRK8S |

| Generation | Core i5 (Willow Cove-U) | Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) |