Intel Core i5-1145G7 vs Intel Core i7-4790 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-1145G7 wins 17 of the 19 recorded comparisons, and the margins are often substantial. The most striking gap appears in PassMark data encryption, where the i5-1145G7 scores 5406 against the i7-4790's 2035, a 165.7% advantage. That is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap in that specific workload.

Cinebench results show remarkable consistency. Across R15, R20, and R23, the i5-1145G7 wins both multicore and singlecore tests by roughly 26% every time. In R15 multicore, the score is 783 versus 621, a 26.1% delta. Singlecore in the same test shows 110 versus 87, a 26.4% delta. R20 multicore lands at 3266 versus 2591, and R23 multicore at 7777 versus 6171, both exactly 26% or 26.1% ahead. This uniformity suggests the advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific.

Geekbench tells a slightly different story. The multicore gap narrows to just 3.5%, with scores of 4066 and 3927. The singlecore margin, however, remains large at 25.7%, with 1463 against 1164. This split is informative: when the workload scales across all threads, the older i7-4790 keeps pace much better than when only one core is active.

PassMark results give the i5-1145G7 wins in floating point math (19233 versus 13104, a 46.8% delta), integer math (32087 versus 26129, 22.8%), multithread (9452 versus 7264, 30.1%), physics (568 versus 498, 14.1%), extended instructions (7235 versus 6835, 5.9%), and find prime numbers (33 versus 32, 3.1%). Single-thread performance also favors the newer chip, 2713 versus 2228, a 21.8% margin.

There are two exceptions where the i7-4790 takes the win. PassMark data compression shows 109623 for the i7-4790 against 103172 for the i5-1145G7, a 5.9% edge. Random string sorting goes the same way, 14790 versus 12658, a 14.4% advantage. These two wins suggest the older desktop chip retains an edge in memory-heavy, latency-sensitive operations.

The overall averages reflect this dominance. The i5-1145G7 posts an average benchmark score of 11279, while the i7-4790 sits at 10556. Both chips land at the 66th percentile among all CPUs in the database, which means they occupy similar overall tiers despite the i5's clear head-to-head superiority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The i5-1145G7 is built on Tiger Lake-U architecture using a 10 nm process, while the i7-4790 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. The die size difference is modest, 144 mm² versus 177 mm², but the i7-4790 packs 1,400 million transistors into that larger area. The database does not list transistor counts for the i5-1145G7.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-1145G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the i7-4790 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3, so the total cache hierarchy favors the newer chip substantially in per-core L2 capacity. That larger L2 likely contributes to the i5's strong single-thread scores.

Memory support is another clear divider. The i5-1145G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in dual-channel configuration. The i7-4790 is limited to DDR3, also dual-channel, with a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The database does not list bandwidth for the i5-1145G7, but the newer memory types inherently offer higher ceiling.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The i5-1145G7 provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, whereas the i7-4790 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. For a desktop user with many expansion cards, the i7-4790's lane count is more flexible. For a mobile system with limited expansion, the i5's Gen 4 speed matters more.

Integrated graphics show a major generational step. The i5-1145G7 carries Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The i7-4790 has Intel HD 4600. The database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks, but the architectural difference alone is substantial.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The i7-4790 has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 2.60 GHz, but the i5-1145G7 boosts higher at 4.40 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. The i5 achieves its performance with a 28 W TDP, while the i7-4790 draws 84 W. That 56 W difference, without listing exact power figures beyond the TDP, explains why the mobile chip can be used in thin laptops while the desktop chip requires serious cooling.

The sockets are incompatible, naturally. The i5-1145G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, which is soldered to the motherboard. The i7-4790 uses Intel Socket 1150, a traditional LGA socket. This means the i5 is not upgradeable, while the i7-4790 can be replaced by other Socket 1150 CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1145G7 is the better choice for almost every compute-heavy task in the database. Its 26% lead across all Cinebench versions means rendering workloads, 3D modeling, and video encoding will finish noticeably faster. The 165.7% encryption advantage is dramatic, so any workload involving encryption, such as VPN traffic handling or secure file transfers, will strongly favor the mobile chip. Floating point math at 46.8% ahead and integer math at 22.8% ahead make scientific computing and crunching tasks clearly faster.

Single-thread performance is a consistent strength for the i5-1145G7. Every singlecore test in the database shows a 21.8% to 26.4% advantage. Applications that rely on one or two fast cores, such as web browsers, office suites, and many legacy games, will feel snappier on the newer chip.

The i7-4790 wins narrowly in data compression by 5.9% and more decisively in random string sorting by 14.4%. These tasks are often memory-latency sensitive, and the i7-4790's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz likely helps in short, bursty operations. Users who spend significant time compressing files or sorting large text datasets might notice the difference.

The i7-4790 also holds an edge in PCIe lane count, 16 lanes versus 4. That makes it better suited for systems with multiple GPUs, NVMe drives, or capture cards, even if the older Gen 3 standard is slower per lane.

For mobile users, the i5-1145G7 is the only realistic option because of its BGA 1449 socket and 28 W TDP. The i7-4790 is a desktop part requiring a full ATX or microATX build. The i5's integrated Iris Xe graphics also outclass the HD 4600 for casual gaming or hardware acceleration, though the database does not provide direct graphics scores.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster overall?

A: The i5-1145G7 wins 17 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks and has a higher average score of 11279 versus 10556. Its margins range from 3.1% to 165.7%, with most wins above 20%.

Q: Are they equally matched in multithreaded work?

A: Not quite. The i5-1145G7 leads Cinebench R23 multicore by 26% and PassMark multithread by 30.1%. However, Geekbench multicore shows only a 3.5% gap, so the i7-4790 is closer in some threaded workloads.

Q: Does the i7-4790 win anywhere?

A: Yes, in two tests: PassMark data compression (109623 versus 103172, a 5.9% lead) and PassMark random string sorting (14790 versus 12658, a 14.4% lead).

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The i5-1145G7, consistently. Singlecore Cinebench R23 shows 1098 versus 871, a 26.1% lead, and PassMark single-thread shows 2713 versus 2228, a 21.8% lead.

Q: Can I upgrade from one to the other?

A: No. The i5-1145G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, which is soldered, while the i7-4790 uses Intel Socket 1150. They also support different memory types and PCIe generations.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-1145G7, which has Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The i7-4790 has Intel HD 4600. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the advantage is architectural.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation: the i5-1145G7 is the superior processor in nearly every measured dimension. It leads by roughly 26% across all Cinebench versions, by 21.8% in single-thread PassMark, and by an enormous 165.7% in encryption. Its average benchmark score of 11279 exceeds the i7-4790's 10556 by about 6.8%. For anyone building a new system or choosing a laptop, the i5-1145G7 is the better pick.

The i7-4790 is not without merit. Its wins in data compression and random string sorting show it can still handle specific memory-sensitive tasks. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it more flexible for expansion-heavy desktop builds. And its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz helps in bursty workloads. But these are narrow strengths.

The i7-4790 makes sense only for someone with an existing Socket 1150 motherboard who wants to keep that platform alive. The i5-1145G7 makes sense for anyone buying new hardware, especially mobile users who need Tiger Lake's 10 nm process, Iris Xe graphics, and 28 W power envelope. The i5-1145G7 is end-of-life, just like the i7-4790, but its architecture is roughly six years newer and it shows.

If the priority is raw computational speed, encryption performance, or single-thread responsiveness, choose the i5-1145G7. If the priority is maximizing PCIe lane count or squeezing out better compression and sorting throughput on an older platform, the i7-4790 has a role.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1145G7 | Intel Core i7-4790 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $312 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SRK03 | SR1QF |