Intel Core i5-1135G7 vs Intel Core i7-7700HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-1135G7 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, taking all 19 comparisons. The older Core i7-7700HQ does not claim a single victory. The most dramatic gap appears in PassMark data encryption, where the i5-1135G7 scores 5465 against the i7-7700HQ's 2366, a 56.7% advantage. That is the largest delta recorded between the two processors.

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. The i5-1135G7 leads by roughly 26% across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core runs. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-1135G7 posts 7909 versus 5852 for the i7-7700HQ, a 26% gap. Single-core R23 tells the same story: 1116 against 826, again 26% apart. This consistency suggests the i5's architectural advantage is broad rather than workload-specific.

Geekbench results narrow the margin somewhat. The i5-1135G7 leads multi-core by 8.7%, scoring 3944 against 3601. Single-core Geekbench shows a larger 23.6% lead for the i5, with 1417 versus 1082. The multi-core result is the closest head-to-head figure in the entire comparison, indicating that the i7-7700HQ's older design still holds up reasonably well when all threads are engaged in this particular test.

PassMark's suite of mathematical and computational workloads favors the i5-1135G7 heavily. Integer math shows a 30.4% lead for the newer chip (31814 versus 22143), while floating-point math has the i5 ahead by 28.8% (19221 versus 13678). Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both clock speed and instruction efficiency, gives the i5 a 35.3% edge (34 versus 22). Extended instructions, which measure SIMD and other specialized processing, favor the i5 by 16% (7406 versus 6218).

Some workloads show smaller gaps. Random string sorting is nearly a tie, with the i5-1135G7 ahead by just 0.9% (12625 versus 12512). PassMark physics sees the i5 lead by 15.3% (577 versus 489). Data compression favors the i5 by a modest 6% (103380 versus 97136). These narrower margins suggest that memory bandwidth or cache behavior partially compensates for the architectural gap in specific tasks.

The aggregate benchmark picture aligns with these individual results. The i7-7700HQ has an average benchmark score of 9493, placing it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-1135G7 averages 9053, also in the 65th percentile. Despite the i5 winning every head-to-head test, its overall average is lower because the database includes a broader set of workloads beyond the shared head-to-head list. The nearest rivals for the i7-7700HQ include the AMD EPYC 7402P (0.4% lower average score) and the Intel Atom x7835RE (0.7% higher). The i5-1135G7's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-8350U (0.6% higher average) and the Intel Xeon Gold 6346 (1.1% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's mobile lineup. The i7-7700HQ uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 126 mm². It is built on the Kaby Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core i7 generation. The i5-1135G7 uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, with a die size of 144 mm². Its codename is Tiger Lake-U and it belongs to the Core i5 generation with Willow Cove-U cores.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache layout differs significantly. The i7-7700HQ has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1135G7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the i5 is a notable structural advantage, as it keeps more working data closer to the execution units.

Clock speeds tell a more complex story. The i7-7700HQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-1135G7 lists a base clock of 1500.00 MHz (1.50 GHz) but boosts to 4.20 GHz. The dramatically lower base clock on the i5 reflects its 15 W TDP design, versus the i7-7700HQ's 45 W TDP. When lightly loaded, the i5 can boost aggressively; under sustained all-core loads, the lower power envelope will eventually limit sustained frequencies, though the benchmark data shows it still wins every test.

Memory support also differs. The i7-7700HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-1135G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. PCIe connectivity moves from Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes on the older chip to Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes on the newer one. The i5's PCIe Gen 4 support offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but the reduced lane count means fewer direct CPU-attached devices.

Integrated graphics are a major divergence. The i7-7700HQ pairs with Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-1135G7 includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The newer iGPU is substantially more capable for media and light gaming, though the database does not include iGPU-specific benchmark scores for either chip.

The sockets are different as well: the i7-7700HQ uses Intel BGA 1440, the i5-1135G7 uses Intel BGA 1449. Both are end-of-life mobile parts. The i7 was released in January 2017, while the i5 arrived in September 2020. The i7 launched with an MSRP of $378, and the i5 launched with an MSRP of $309. Both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head data, the i5-1135G7 wins everywhere. There is no workload category in the shared benchmark set where the i7-7700HQ comes out ahead. This makes the use-case split straightforward: the i5-1135G7 is the better choice for every workload covered by the benchmarks.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, the i5-1135G7 is decisively stronger. Its single-core scores beat the i7-7700HQ by 22.5% in PassMark, 23.6% in Geekbench, and 26% in Cinebench R23. Applications like web browsing, office productivity, and light coding that rely heavily on single-thread performance will feel noticeably snappier on the i5.

For multi-threaded workloads, the i5-1135G7 also leads, though the margin varies. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 26% gap. PassMark multi-thread shows a 27.7% gap. Geekbench multi-core narrows to 8.7%. Content creation tasks that scale across cores, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, will complete faster on the i5 despite its lower TDP.

Encryption and compression workloads particularly favor the i5. The 56.7% lead in data encryption suggests the newer chip has significantly better cryptographic instruction support. Data compression shows a smaller 6% lead, but the i5 still wins. For users handling large archives or encrypted volumes, the i5 is clearly preferable.

The i7-7700HQ's only consolation is that it remains competitive in a few niche areas. Random string sorting is nearly identical between the two, with just 0.9% separating them. Physics calculations show a 15.3% gap, which is smaller than the typical 26% seen elsewhere. These narrow margins do not change the overall verdict but indicate that the older chip is not completely outclassed in every possible task.

FAQ

Q: Is the i5-1135G7 faster than the i7-7700HQ in every benchmark?

A: Yes. The database shows the i5-1135G7 winning all 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with no wins recorded for the i7-7700HQ.

Q: Why does the i5-1135G7 have a lower average benchmark score if it wins every head-to-head test?

A: The i5-1135G7 has an average benchmark score of 9053, while the i7-7700HQ averages 9493. The average includes workloads beyond the shared head-to-head list, and the i7's higher average reflects its performance across that broader set of tests.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i5-1135G7 has more L2 and L3 cache. It offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i7-7700HQ has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The difference is in architecture, clock speeds, cache, and other features, not in the fundamental core count.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The i5-1135G7 boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the i7-7700HQ boosts to 3.80 GHz. The i7 has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 1.50 GHz on the i5.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two mobile processors?

A: The i7-7700HQ has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-1135G7 has a 15 W TDP. The lower TDP means the i5 is designed for thinner, more power-efficient laptops.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-7700HQ | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 1500.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake-H | Tiger Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) | Core i5 (Willow Cove-U) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 144 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4, LPDDR4X |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2020-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | $309 |

| Part Number | SR32Q | SRK05 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data directs a clear choice. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is the superior processor in every shared workload test, despite being a lower-tier product name and having a lower TDP. The i7-7700HQ's 45 W power budget cannot compensate for the architectural advancements in the i5's 10 nm Tiger Lake design.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput should pick the i5-1135G7. It leads by 26% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 27.7% in PassMark multi-thread, and 8.7% in Geekbench multi-core. The i5 also brings substantially better integrated graphics with Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, a major upgrade over the HD Graphics 630 in the i7.

Users who prioritize single-thread performance, encryption, or modern instruction sets should also pick the i5. Its single-core advantages range from 22.5% in PassMark to 26% in Cinebench, and its 56.7% lead in encryption is the single largest gap in the entire comparison.

The only scenario where the i7-7700HQ makes sense is if you specifically need its 45 W power envelope for sustained heavy loads in a larger chassis, or if you require DDR3 memory support. But the benchmark results show that even with that power advantage, the i5-1135G7 still wins every recorded test. The i7-7700HQ is an end-of-life product from 2017, and the data shows it has been thoroughly outclassed by the 2020 i5-1135G7. For any new purchase or upgrade decision, the i5 is the clear winner.