Intel Core i5-1135G7 vs Intel Core i5-8250U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i5-1135G7 outperforms the Intel Core i5-8250U in every single recorded test. Across the 17 head-to-head comparisons, the i5-1135G7 wins all of them, with no wins recorded for the i5-8250U. The performance gap is substantial in most workloads, often exceeding 50% and reaching as high as 176.1% in one specific test.

For users choosing between these two mobile processors, the i5-1135G7 is the clear pick on raw performance. Its average benchmark score of 9053 places it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-8250U's average of 8577 lands in the 64th percentile. The i5-1135G7 also sits closer to higher-performing rivals: its nearest competitor, the Intel Xeon Gold 6346, is only 1.1% ahead, while the Intel Core i5-8350U trails by a mere 0.6%. The i5-8250U's closest rival, the Intel Core i7-10510U, is exactly level at 0% delta, and the Intel Core i5-8265U is just 0.1% behind.

The i5-1135G7 is the better option for users who prioritize processor-heavy tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, data compression, or encryption workloads. The i5-8250U remains a functional choice for basic productivity, but the data shows no scenario where it beats its newer counterpart. Given the i5-1135G7's end-of-life production status versus the i5-8250U's active status, buyers looking for current availability may face a different constraint, but on performance alone, the i5-1135G7 is the superior processor.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-1135G7 uses the Tiger Lake architecture, built on the Willow Cove core design, while the i5-8250U uses the older Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake-R refresh. This generational leap is reflected in the process node: the i5-1135G7 is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm node, whereas the i5-8250U uses the 14 nm process. Both chips are produced by Intel, but the newer node allows the Tiger Lake part to achieve higher performance within the same 15 W TDP envelope.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The i5-1135G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-8250U has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger caches on the Tiger Lake chip contribute to its performance advantage, particularly in workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-1135G7 pairs its CPU cores with Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while the i5-8250U includes the older UHD 620 graphics solution. Socket compatibility is another difference: the i5-1135G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the i5-8250U uses Intel BGA 1356, meaning they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard designs.

Memory support varies as well. The i5-1135G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in a dual-channel configuration, while the i5-8250U supports DDR4 only. The Tiger Lake chip also brings PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, a feature absent from the Kaby Lake part. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The i5-1135G7 has a larger die at 144 mm² compared to the i5-8250U's 123 mm², which reflects the more complex Tiger Lake design with its additional graphics and memory controller features. The i5-1135G7 was released on 2020-09-01, while the i5-8250U came out on 2017-08-20, a gap of roughly three years.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the PassMark data encryption test, where the i5-1135G7 scores 5465 against the i5-8250U's 1979, a delta of 176.1%. This is the largest relative gap in any workload and indicates a major improvement in cryptographic instruction handling. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows an 88.9% advantage (34 vs 18), suggesting strong integer arithmetic capabilities.

Multi-threaded performance tells a consistent story. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-1135G7 scores 7909 versus 4918, a 60.8% lead. The same delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore (3321 vs 2065) and Cinebench R15 multicore (797 vs 495, a 61% gap). PassMark multithread shows a 63.7% advantage (9512 vs 5812). These results confirm that the newer architecture scales better across all cores, not just in single-thread burst performance.

Single-thread results are equally decisive. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 1116 versus 694, a 60.8% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows 468 versus 291, also 60.8%. The R15 singlecore test shows 112 versus 69, a 62.3% advantage. PassMark single thread shows 2640 versus 1886, a 40% gap. These numbers indicate that the i5-1135G7's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, combined with the newer architecture, delivers meaningful per-core improvements over the i5-8250U's 3.40 GHz boost.

Memory and data manipulation tasks show narrower but still clear wins. PassMark random string sorting has the smallest delta at 23.1% (12625 vs 10257). Data compression shows a 35.1% advantage (103380 vs 76521). Floating point math is 51.3% ahead (19221 vs 12706), and integer math is 52.3% ahead (31814 vs 20885). Extended instructions show a 50.5% lead (7406 vs 4920). Physics simulation shows a 42.5% improvement (577 vs 405).

It is notably the head-to-head table does not include some benchmarks that appear in the individual benchmark lists, such as the 3DMark tests and Geekbench scores for the i5-1135G7. The recorded data for those tests exists only for the Tiger Lake chip, so no direct comparison with the i5-8250U is available in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications: both have 4 cores and 8 threads, both are mobile segment parts with a 15 W TDP, both have locked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. The differences are as follows:

• Base clock: The i5-8250U has a higher base clock at 1600.00 MHz, while the i5-1135G7 runs at 1500.00 MHz. The Tiger Lake chip compensates with a much higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz.
• Boost clock: 4.20 GHz (i5-1135G7) vs 3.40 GHz (i5-8250U).
• Socket: Intel BGA 1449 (i5-1135G7) vs Intel BGA 1356 (i5-8250U).
• Architecture: Tiger Lake, Willow Cove-U (i5-1135G7) vs Kaby Lake, Kaby Lake-U Refresh (i5-8250U).
• Process node: 10 nm (i5-1135G7) vs 14 nm (i5-8250U).
• Die size: 144 mm² (i5-1135G7) vs 123 mm² (i5-8250U).
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core (i5-1135G7) vs 64 KB per core (i5-8250U).
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core (i5-1135G7) vs 256 KB per core (i5-8250U).
• L3 cache: 8 MB shared (i5-1135G7) vs 6 MB shared (i5-8250U).
• Memory support: DDR4 and LPDDR4X (i5-1135G7) vs DDR4 only (i5-8250U).
• PCIe: Gen 4, 4 lanes CPU-only (i5-1135G7) vs not listed (i5-8250U).
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU (i5-1135G7) vs UHD 620 (i5-8250U).
• Production status: End-of-life (i5-1135G7) vs Active (i5-8250U).
• Release date: 2020-09-01 (i5-1135G7) vs 2017-08-20 (i5-8250U).
• Part number: SRK05 (i5-1135G7) vs SR3LA (i5-8250U).
• Launch MSRP: $309 (i5-1135G7) vs not listed (i5-8250U).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has an average benchmark score of 9053, while the Intel Core i5-8250U has an average score of 8577.

Q: How much faster is the i5-1135G7 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i5-1135G7 scores 7909 versus 4918 for the i5-8250U, which is a 60.8% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark data encryption, where the i5-1135G7 scores 5465 against the i5-8250U's 1979, a delta of 176.1%.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both have a 15 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to 3.40 GHz for the Intel Core i5-8250U. The i5-8250U has a slightly higher base clock at 1600.00 MHz versus 1500.00 MHz.

Q: What are the production statuses of these processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel Core i5-8250U is listed as active in the database.