Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Intel Core i7-8705G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8705G averages 2058 points, while the Intel Core i5-1130G7 averages 2026 points. The difference is small, but the i7-8705G holds a 1.6% edge in aggregate database scoring.

Q: In Cinebench R23 multicore, which chip wins and by how much?

A: The i5-1130G7 scores 7006 versus 6464 for the i7-8705G, a 7.7% advantage. This is the largest multicore margin recorded in the head-to-head data.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both feature 4 cores and 8 threads. The architectural differences lie elsewhere, such as in process node, cache hierarchy, and memory bandwidth.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The i7-8705G boosts to 4.10 GHz, slightly ahead of the i5-1130G7's 4.00 GHz. Despite the lower boost, the i5-1130G7 wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison.

Q: What is the power envelope difference?

A: The i7-8705G has a 65W TDP, while the i5-1130G7 is rated at 15W. This 50W gap is a major differentiator, though the i5 still outperforms in all tested workloads.

Q: Which chip supports faster PCIe?

A: The i5-1130G7 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the i7-8705G is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes. That is a generational leap in connectivity.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel design. The i7-8705G is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. It carries the codename Kaby Lake G and uses a die size of 125 mm². In contrast, the i5-1130G7 is a Tiger Lake part, using the Willow Cove core architecture on a 10 nm process. The database does not list a die size for the newer chip, but the process shrink is clear.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The i7-8705G provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i5-1130G7 raises L1 to 96 KB per core and L2 to 1.25 MB per core, while keeping the same 8 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the i5 is a notable shift, likely aiding in latency-sensitive workloads.

Memory bandwidth also favors the newer part. The i7-8705G supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-1130G7, also dual-channel DDR4, reaches 68.3 GB/s, nearly 78% higher. That difference alone can affect multi-threaded tasks that stream data.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-8705G uses Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-1130G7 pairs with Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, but the architectural shift from a legacy iGPU to a newer Xe-based design is evident.

PCIe connectivity is another split. The i7-8705G offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 CPU lanes. The i5-1130G7 jumps to PCIe Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes. For systems relying on fast NVMe storage or external GPUs, the newer spec provides more headroom.

Both processors are mobile segments, but their production statuses differ: the i7-8705G is end-of-life, while the i5-1130G7 is active. The i7-8705G was released in January 2018, and the i5-1130G7 in September 2020, a gap of over two and a half years.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is one-sided. Across all six recorded tests, the i5-1130G7 wins every single one. The i7-8705G does not claim a single victory. The margins are consistent, ranging from 7.7% to 8.1%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-1130G7 scores 706 versus 651, a 7.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 99 versus 91, an 8.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5 leads with 2942 against 2714 in multicore (7.7% ahead) and 415 versus 383 in single-core (7.7% ahead). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multicore 7006 versus 6464 (7.7% ahead) and single-core 989 versus 912 (7.8% ahead).

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Across different rendering workloads and varying thread counts, the i5-1130G7 maintains roughly the same lead. This suggests the advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific. The newer 10 nm process, larger L2 cache, and higher memory bandwidth likely combine to deliver a uniform performance uplift.

It is notably the i7-8705G has a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz) and a much higher TDP (65W versus 15W). Despite these apparent advantages, it still trails in every measured test. The i5-1130G7 achieves more performance with less power and a lower clock ceiling, which points to superior instructions per clock and memory efficiency.

The Geekbench results, available only for the i7-8705G (3968 multicore, 1277 single-core), are not part of the head-to-head comparison. The database does not provide matching Geekbench scores for the i5-1130G7, so those figures cannot be directly compared.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every key specification except core count and thread count (both 4 cores, 8 threads) and memory support (both DDR4). Here are the recorded differences:

• Base clock: i7-8705G runs at 3.10 GHz; i5-1130G7 lists a base clock of 1100.00 MHz (the database shows a large numeric difference, though both are mobile parts).
• Boost clock: i7-8705G boosts to 4.10 GHz, i5-1130G7 to 4.00 GHz.
• TDP: 65W versus 15W.
• Socket: Intel BGA 2270 versus Intel BGA 1598.
• Architecture: Kaby Lake versus Tiger Lake.
• Codename: Kaby Lake G versus Tiger Lake-U.
• Generation: Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) versus Core i5 (Willow Cove-U).
• Process node: 14 nm versus 10 nm.
• Die size: 125 mm² versus not listed.
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 96 KB per core.
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core.
• L3 cache: 8 MB shared on both, no difference.
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s.
• PCIe: Gen 3, 8 lanes versus Gen 4, 16 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD Graphics 630 versus Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU.
• Production status: End-of-life versus Active.
• Release date: January 2018 versus September 2020.
• Part number: SR3RK for the i7-8705G, not listed for the i5-1130G7.

Both are locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. The i7-8705G has an average benchmark score of 2058 versus 2026 for the i5-1130G7, a 1.6% difference in favor of the older chip, despite losing all head-to-head tests.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The i5-1130G7 wins all six head-to-head benchmark tests, with margins between 7.7% and 8.1%. It does so while consuming 15W compared to 65W, using a smaller process node, and offering more PCIe lanes and higher memory bandwidth.

The i7-8705G's only advantage in the recorded data is its higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz) and a marginally higher average benchmark score (2058 versus 2026). However, that average score includes Geekbench results for the i7 that have no counterpart in the i5's dataset, so it is not a direct comparison.

For any workload captured in the Cinebench suite, the i5-1130G7 is the better choice. The consistent 7.7% to 8.1% lead across single-core and multicore tests suggests the newer architecture delivers a broad performance uplift. The i7-8705G, being end-of-life and built on older technology, cannot match that efficiency or speed.

The i5-1130G7 also holds the edge in platform features: PCIe Gen 4, 16 lanes, and double the memory bandwidth. These are not just benchmark numbers; they affect real-world system responsiveness and expansion capability.

The verdict, based strictly on the recorded measurements, is that the i5-1130G7 is the superior processor for every tested scenario. The i7-8705G remains a capable chip, but it is outclassed by its newer counterpart.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-1130G7 wins in:

• All six head-to-head benchmark tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23, both single and multicore).
• Memory bandwidth: 68.3 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s, a 78% advantage.
• PCIe connectivity: Gen 4 with 16 lanes versus Gen 3 with 8 lanes.
• Power efficiency: 15W TDP versus 65W, meaning the i5 achieves higher scores with 50W less power.
• Process technology: 10 nm versus 14 nm, enabling the architectural gains.
• Cache per core: larger L1 and L2 allocations on the i5.

Intel Core i7-8705G wins in:

• Average benchmark score: 2058 versus 2026, a 1.6% edge, though this includes Geekbench data not available for the i5.
• Boost clock: 4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz, a 2.5% higher peak frequency.
• Die size data: the i7 has a documented 125 mm² die, while the i5 has no listed die size.
• Production history: the i7 has a part number (SR3RK), while the i5 does not list one.
• Release date: the i7 launched earlier (January 2018), which may matter for legacy software compatibility, though no such data is recorded here.

The use-case split is clear. For anyone choosing between these two based on the database records, the i5-1130G7 is the pick for raw performance, efficiency, and modern features. The i7-8705G offers a higher clock speed and a slightly higher aggregate score, but it loses every direct comparison. The i5 is the winner in every measurable workload tested.