Intel Core i5-1135G7 vs Intel Core i7-1165G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1165G7 and Intel Core i5-1135G7 are both Tiger Lake-U mobile processors sharing the same 10 nm process node and 4-core/8-thread layout, but the data shows the i7 is the clear performance leader. Out of 25 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the i7 takes 22 wins, with the i5 managing only 3. The i7’s average benchmark score of 9235 sits just 2% above the i5’s 9053, but the margin varies wildly by workload, from a negligible 0.1% to a commanding 35.3%. Both chips land in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same overall performance tier, yet the i7 consistently extracts more from the shared architecture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-1165G7 comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 46 against the i5’s 34, a 35.3% advantage. This is not a subtle difference; it reflects the i7’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus the i5’s 4.20 GHz, which directly accelerates integer-heavy calculations. Similarly, in PassMark physics, the i7 posts 712 versus 577, a 23.4% lead that suggests better sustained multi-threaded execution under demanding loads.

Geekbench results amplify the i7’s superiority in general-purpose tasks. The i7 scores 4467 in Geekbench multi-core, beating the i5’s 3944 by 13.3%. Single-core Geekbench also favors the i7, at 1578 versus 1417, an 11.4% gap. These are among the largest percentage differences in the entire dataset, indicating that the i7’s architectural tuning and higher clocks translate directly into real-world application performance, not just synthetic peak numbers.

Cinebench tests show a consistent, if narrower, pattern. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i7 wins both multi-core and single-core runs by margins ranging from 4.5% to 4.9%. For instance, Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the i7 at 8293 versus 7909, while single-core is 1170 against 1116. This uniformity suggests the i7’s advantage is stable across different rendering workloads, likely due to its 12 MB shared L3 cache versus the i5’s 8 MB, which reduces memory latency pressure.

The i5’s three wins are narrow and workload-specific. In 3DMark max threads, the i5 scores 2713 against the i7’s 2645, a 2.5% reversal that hints at better thread scheduling in that particular test. The i5 also edges out the i7 in 3DMark 2 threads (1348 versus 1342, a 0.4% margin) and PassMark extended instructions (7406 versus 7323, a 1.1% lead). These are minor upsets, but they show the i5 is not without merit in lightly threaded or vectorized scenarios.

Other PassMark tests reinforce the i7’s dominance. PassMark integer math sees the i7 at 33349 versus 31814, a 4.8% gain, while floating-point math is 19830 against 19221, a 3.2% edge. PassMark multi-thread overall confirms the trend: 9958 for the i7, 9512 for the i5, a 4.7% difference. Even data compression, where the scores are nearly identical at 103497 versus 103380, favors the i7 by just 0.1%, showing no weakness in memory-bound tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-1165G7 wins 22 out of 25 comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-1135G7 wins only 3. The i5’s wins are limited to 3DMark max threads, 3DMark 2 threads, and PassMark extended instructions.

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

A: The biggest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7 scores 46 versus the i5’s 34, a 35.3% advantage. The next largest is PassMark physics, with the i7 leading by 23.4%.

Q: How do they compare in Geekbench multi-core performance?

A: The i7 scores 4467 in Geekbench multi-core, which is 13.3% higher than the i5’s 3944. This is one of the largest percentage differences in the dataset, indicating a substantial real-world performance gap.

Q: Are there any tests where the i5-1135G7 is faster?

A: Yes, the i5 wins 3DMark max threads by 2.5% (2713 versus 2645), 3DMark 2 threads by 0.4% (1348 versus 1342), and PassMark extended instructions by 1.1% (7406 versus 7323). These are narrow margins in specific workloads.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both are 4-core, 8-thread processors. The performance difference comes from other factors, primarily the i7’s higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.20 GHz and its larger 12 MB L3 cache versus 8 MB.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i7 has an average benchmark score of 9235, while the i5 scores 9053. This is a 2% difference in average, though individual tests show much larger variance.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1165G7 is the superior processor in nearly every measurable way. With 22 wins out of 25 benchmarks and a 13.3% lead in Geekbench multi-core, it is the pick for users who need consistent performance across rendering, encryption, and math-heavy workloads. The i7’s 35.3% advantage in prime number calculation and 23.4% lead in physics suggest it handles sustained computational stress with more headroom, likely due to its higher 4.70 GHz boost clock and 12 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is not a poor performer—it sits in the same 65th percentile and its average score of 9053 is respectable—but its three wins are marginal, with the largest being just 2.5% in 3DMark max threads. For users who prioritize battery life over peak performance, the i5’s 15 W TDP versus the i7’s 28 W could be a deciding factor, but the benchmark data does not show any workload where the i5 meaningfully outclasses the i7. The i7 also offers a stronger integrated GPU, the Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, compared to the i5’s 80EU variant, which may matter for light gaming or media tasks.

Choose the i7 for raw performance, especially in multi-threaded applications and integer computation. Choose the i5 only if the lower power draw is critical and you can accept a 4-5% performance penalty in most tests, or the rare 2.5% loss in max-thread 3DMark scenarios. The i7’s launch MSRP is $426, and the i5’s is $309, but the performance data justifies the premium for compute-focused users.

Specification Differences

The two processors share the same socket (Intel BGA 1449), architecture (Tiger Lake), codename (Tiger Lake-U), process node (10 nm), and die size (144 mm²). Their cache hierarchy is identical at the L1 and L2 levels, with 80 KB per core and 1.25 MB per core, respectively. The key differentiator is L3 cache: the i7 has 12 MB shared, while the i5 has 8 MB shared. Clock speeds also diverge significantly—the i7’s base clock is 2.80 GHz and boost is 4.70 GHz, whereas the i5’s base is 1500.00 MHz (1.50 GHz) and boost is 4.20 GHz. The i7’s TDP is 28 W versus the i5’s 15 W, a major power envelope difference. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i7 featuring Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU and the i5 using Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. Both support DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in dual-channel mode, have PCIe Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes, lack ECC support, and are end-of-life products released on September 1, 2020.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel’s 10 nm process and use the Willow Cove-U core design, but the i7’s higher TDP of 28 W allows it to sustain higher clocks than the i5’s 15 W envelope. The i7’s 4.70 GHz boost is 0.50 GHz higher than the i5’s 4.20 GHz, which explains much of the performance gap in single-threaded tests. The L3 cache difference is also architectural: 12 MB versus 8 MB means the i7 can hold more working set data, reducing reliance on slower memory. The integrated GPU difference is notable—96 execution units on the i7 versus 80 on the i5—which could impact graphics-bound tasks, though the benchmark data provided does not include GPU-specific tests. Both processors use the same memory controller (dual-channel DDR4/LPDDR4X) and PCIe Gen 4 interface, so those are not differentiating factors. The i7’s part number is SRK02, while the i5’s is SRK05, and both have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not supported. The i7’s higher TDP and cache suggest it is designed for thicker, better-cooled laptops, while the i5 targets thinner devices where power efficiency takes priority.