Intel Core i5-1145G7 vs Intel Core i7-1185G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record is remarkably one-sided. Across all 19 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i7-1185G7 takes the win in every single one. The i5-1145G7 does not secure a single victory in any measured workload. This is not a close contest, but the margin varies dramatically depending on the type of task.

The largest gap appears in the PassMark physics test, where the i7-1185G7 scores 763 against the i5-1145G7's 568. That is a 34.3% advantage, a substantial lead in a workload that often reflects how well a processor handles real-time simulation and physics calculations. Similarly, the PassMark find prime numbers test shows a 42.4% delta, with the i7 scoring 47 against the i5's 33. That is the single biggest percentage difference in the entire dataset, and it points to a meaningful gap in raw integer throughput under certain instruction patterns.

Geekbench multicore also stands out. The i7-1185G7 reaches 4816 while the i5-1145G7 manages 4066, a difference of 18.4%. That is more than double the typical single-core gap, suggesting the i7 scales better when all threads are active. The Cinebench family of tests tells a consistent story: R15 multicore shows 848 versus 783 (8.3% delta), R20 multicore shows 3534 versus 3266 (8.2%), and R23 multicore shows 8416 versus 7777 (8.2%). These are all close to the same relative margin, indicating a steady multicore advantage rather than a workload-specific spike.

Single-core deltas are smaller but still favor the i7. Cinebench R15 single-core records 119 versus 110, an 8.2% difference. R20 single-core shows 498 versus 461, an 8% gap. R23 single-core lands at 1188 versus 1098, again 8.2%. Geekbench single-core shows 1591 versus 1463, a 8.7% advantage. The consistency here is notable: the i7 leads by roughly 8% across nearly every Cinebench variant, whether single or multi-threaded.

Some tests are far closer. PassMark random string sorting shows only a 1.1% delta (12792 versus 12658). Data compression is nearly as tight at 1.4% (104630 versus 103172). Extended instructions come in at 2.2% (7396 versus 7235). Floating point math is 4.6% (20126 versus 19233). Integer math is 6.6% (34211 versus 32087). Data encryption sits at 3.6% (5598 versus 5406). PassMark single-thread shows 2778 versus 2713, a 2.4% edge. These smaller deltas suggest that in memory-bound or latency-sensitive tasks, the two processors behave more alike, while compute-heavy workloads expose the i7's higher clock ceilings.

The average benchmark score tells the broader story: the i7-1185G7 averages 11697, while the i5-1145G7 averages 11279. The i7 sits at the 67th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the i5 sits at the 66th. That is a narrow percentile gap, but the raw score difference is real. Interestingly, the i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4790K at 11745 (0.4% above) and the AMD EPYC 7453 at 11912 (1.8% above), while the i5-1145G7's closest match is the AMD EPYC 7452 at 11279, a 0% delta. In other words, the i5 is essentially tied with a server-class EPYC part in average score, while the i7 edges slightly past a desktop i7-4790K and trails an EPYC 7453 by a small margin.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Core i7-1185G7 is the faster processor in every measured category. Anyone choosing between these two should understand that the i7 does not just win; it wins everywhere, with no counterbalancing area where the i5 pulls ahead. The i5-1145G7 is not a weak chip in absolute terms, its average score of 11279 is respectable, but it is consistently behind its higher-binned sibling.

For users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the i7 delivers a repeatable 8.2% advantage across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. For physics simulation, the i7 is 34.3% ahead, which is a massive gap for any workload that relies on that specific pattern. For Geekbench multicore, the i7 is 18.4% ahead, and for prime number finding it is 42.4% ahead.

The i5-1145G7 makes sense only if the priority is not performance but the lower launch MSRP of $309 compared to the i7's $426. That price difference is notable, and for lightly threaded office tasks or general productivity, the performance gap narrows to single-digit percentages in several PassMark tests. But the data does not support any scenario where the i5 wins on raw capability. It is a compromise chip, and the compromise is entirely in the i7's favor.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, and both use Intel's 10 nm process node. The die size is identical at 144 mm², and both are manufactured by Intel. They share the same socket, Intel BGA 1449, and both are mobile-market parts released on the same date, 2020-09-01. Both are now end-of-life.

The core counts are the same: 4 cores and 8 threads each. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, and the L2 cache is also the same at 1.25 MB per core. The difference appears in the L3 cache: the i7-1185G7 has 12 MB shared, while the i5-1145G7 has 8 MB shared. That is a 50% larger L3 pool for the i7, which helps explain some of the performance gaps in cache-sensitive workloads.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i7 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i5 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Both have a 28 W TDP, so the i7 achieves its higher clocks within the same thermal envelope. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i7 carries Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the i5 carries Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 EUs. That is a 16 EU difference, which should translate to a measurable graphics advantage for the i7, though the database does not include dedicated GPU benchmarks in this comparison.

Both support DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in dual-channel configuration, neither supports ECC, and both use PCIe Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ: SRK1F for the i7, SRK03 for the i5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185G7 boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1145G7 boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i7?

A: The i7-1185G7 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-1145G7 has 8 MB. That is a 4 MB difference.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

A: The largest delta is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the i7 scores 47 versus the i5's 33, a 42.4% difference.

Q: Are they on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 10 nm process node and share the same 144 mm² die size.

Q: Do they support the same memory types?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and LPDDR4X in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1185G7 wins every benchmark in this comparison, so the practical question is not where each wins, but where the i7's margin is large enough to matter. The most decisive areas are physics simulation (34.3% ahead), prime number finding (42.4% ahead), and Geekbench multicore (18.4% ahead). These are compute-intensive workloads that benefit from higher clocks and the larger L3 cache. For rendering in Cinebench, the i7 is consistently 8.2% ahead across all three versions, which is a meaningful, repeatable advantage for any sustained multi-threaded workload.

For lightly threaded tasks like data compression, random string sorting, or single-thread PassMark, the i7's lead shrinks to 1.1% to 2.4%. In those scenarios, the i5-1145G7 is nearly as fast, and a user might not notice the difference in everyday use. Data encryption (3.6%) and extended instructions (2.2%) are also close. The i5 is therefore perfectly serviceable for general office work, web browsing, and lighter productivity tasks where the performance gap is minimal.

The i7's 96 EU integrated graphics versus the i5's 80 EU suggests an advantage for the i7 in GPU-bound scenarios, though no graphics benchmark is recorded in this dataset. The i7 also has a 50% larger L3 cache, which can help in workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 8 MB but smaller than 12 MB. For users who know their workloads are cache-sensitive, that is a meaningful specification difference. For everyone else, the i5 is a capable alternative at a lower launch MSRP, but the data shows it trails the i7 in every measured category.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-1185G7 | Intel Core i5-1145G7 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $309 |

| Part Number | SRK1F | SRK03 |

All other recorded specifications are identical: 4 cores, 8 threads, 28 W TDP, Intel BGA 1449 socket, Tiger Lake-U codename, 10 nm process, 144 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, PCIe Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes, no unlocked multiplier, mobile market segment, end-of-life production status, and a release date of 2020-09-01.