Intel Core i5-1145G7 vs Intel Core i7-6700 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 and Intel Core i7-6700 represent two distinct eras of Intel mobile and desktop design. The i5-1145G7 is a Tiger Lake-U mobile processor built on a 10 nm process, while the i7-6700 is a Skylake desktop part from a previous generation on 14 nm. Despite the i5 carrying a lower tier name, the benchmark data reveals a complex performance landscape where the newer architecture often overcomes the older chip's higher base clock and desktop-class power envelope. The following analysis is based strictly on the provided benchmark scores and specification data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the i5-1145G7's dominance in encryption workloads. In the Passmark data encryption test, the i5 scores 5406 against the i7-6700's 2753, a massive 96.4% advantage. This is the single largest delta in either direction and indicates a fundamental architectural leap in cryptographic instruction handling. No other benchmark comes close to this margin, making it the clearest differentiator between the two processors.

Beyond encryption, the i5-1145G7 shows consistent and substantial wins across compute-heavy synthetic tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7777 versus 6828, a 13.9% lead. The single-core result for R23 is similar, with the i5 at 1098 and the i7 at 964, also a 13.9% gap. This pattern repeats across the Cinebench family: R15 multi-core shows a 13.8% lead (783 vs 688), R15 single-core shows a 14.6% lead (110 vs 96), R20 multi-core shows a 13.9% lead (3266 vs 2867), and R20 single-core shows a 14.1% lead (461 vs 404). The consistency of these deltas suggests a uniform IPC improvement rather than a workload-specific advantage.

The i5-1145G7 also excels in Passmark integer and floating-point math. In integer math, it scores 32087 against 25651, a 25.1% advantage. Floating-point math shows a 21.4% lead (19233 vs 15840). Prime number finding is another clear win, with the i5 scoring 33 versus 27, a 22.2% margin. The Passmark multi-thread test reinforces the pattern, giving the i5 a 17.4% lead (9452 vs 8051). Single-thread performance follows suit, with the i5 at 2713 versus 2277, a 19.1% advantage.

However, the i7-6700 is not without its victories. The Geekbench multi-core test is the closest contest, with the i7 edging out the i5 by 3.2% (4201 vs 4066). This is notable because it is the only multi-threaded benchmark where the older chip wins, suggesting that Geekbench's workload mix favors the i7's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz in certain parallel scenarios. The i5's base clock is only 2.60 GHz, and while its boost reaches 4.40 GHz, sustained multi-threaded performance on a 28 W TDP part may be limited compared to the 65 W desktop i7.

The i7-6700 also wins in Passmark data compression, scoring 113748 against 103172, a 9.3% advantage. Random string sorting is another win for the i7, with a score of 14406 versus 12658, a 12.1% lead. The Passmark extended instructions test is close, with the i7 winning by 3.6% (7505 vs 7235). These wins hint at memory-bandwidth sensitivity or specific instruction sequences where the i7's older but higher-clocked design retains an edge. The i5-1145G7 wins 15 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-6700 wins only 4.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1145G7 is the clear winner for any workload that stresses modern instruction sets, cryptographic operations, or raw arithmetic throughput. Its 96.4% lead in data encryption is the standout, but the 25.1% lead in integer math and 21.4% lead in floating-point math make it the superior choice for general-purpose compute tasks like compiling, scientific calculations, and financial modeling. The consistent 13-14% leads across all Cinebench versions indicate that rendering and 3D modeling workloads will also favor the i5. The 19.1% single-thread advantage means day-to-day responsiveness in web browsing, office applications, and single-threaded legacy software will be noticeably better on the i5.

The i7-6700 retains a niche but real set of advantages. Its 3.2% Geekbench multi-core win suggests that certain mixed workloads, particularly those that do not rely heavily on the newer AES-NI or AVX-512 style instructions, can still match or slightly beat the i5. The 9.3% data compression win and 12.1% random string sorting win are particularly relevant for database operations, file archiving, and text processing pipelines. These tasks often benefit from high memory bandwidth, and the i7's 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, while not directly comparable to the i5's unspecified bandwidth, likely helps in these memory-latency-sensitive tests. The i7's 3.6% win in extended instructions also suggests that legacy x86 code paths are not universally slower.

For a buyer choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload type. If the primary tasks are modern, multi-threaded compute, encryption, or single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-1145G7 is the clear data-driven choice. If the workload involves heavy data compression, string sorting, or a specific Geekbench-style mixed load, the i7-6700 still holds its own.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural generations. The i5-1145G7 uses the Tiger Lake architecture with the Willow Cove core microarchitecture, while the i7-6700 uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake core microarchitecture. This generational gap is the primary driver of the benchmark differences.

The process node is a major differentiator: the i5-1145G7 is built on a 10 nm process, while the i7-6700 uses a 14 nm process. This process advantage allows the Tiger Lake chip to pack more transistors into a smaller area, with a die size of 144 mm² for the i5, while the i7's die size is not listed. The smaller process node typically enables higher energy efficiency and lower heat output, which is reflected in the i5's 28 W TDP versus the i7's 65 W TDP.

Cache structures also differ. The i5-1145G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-6700 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 cache on the i5 is a significant architectural advantage, as it allows more data to be stored closer to the cores, reducing latency in compute-heavy loops.

Memory support is another key difference. The i5-1145G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the i7-6700 supports DDR3 and DDR4. The i7 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i5's bandwidth is not specified. The i5 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, whereas the i7 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This means the i7 has more PCIe lanes for expansion, but the i5's newer PCIe generation offers higher per-lane bandwidth.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i5-1145G7 features Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, while the i7-6700 features HD Graphics 530. While no graphics benchmarks are provided, the architectural difference suggests the i5's integrated GPU is far more capable for media and light graphics tasks.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the socket. The i5-1145G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, which is a mobile socket designed for soldered laptop processors, while the i7-6700 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket that allows for user-replaceable CPUs. This fundamentally changes the use case: the i5 is meant for laptops and ultrabooks, while the i7 is meant for desktop towers.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i5-1145G7 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The i7-6700 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz. This means the i7 runs faster at idle-to-moderate loads, but the i5 can reach higher peak clock speeds under burst conditions.

The TDP is a major differentiator: 28 W for the i5 versus 65 W for the i7. This 37 W difference has implications for cooling requirements and power consumption. The i5 is designed to run in thin-and-light laptops with passive or low-profile cooling, while the i7 requires a desktop heatsink and fan.

Memory support differs in the types of RAM accepted. The i5 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i7 supports DDR3 and DDR4. The i7's memory bandwidth is explicitly listed at 34.1 GB/s, while the i5's is not. PCIe support also differs, with the i5 offering Gen 4 with 4 lanes versus the i7's Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both have 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The i5 was released later, with a launch MSRP of $309, while the i7 had a launch MSRP of $303. Both are end-of-life products.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-6700's 4.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: How much faster is the i5-1145G7 in data encryption?

A: The i5-1145G7 scores 5406 in Passmark data encryption, which is 96.4% higher than the i7-6700's score of 2753.

Q: Does the i7-6700 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the i7-6700 wins 4 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, including Geekbench multi-core, Passmark data compression, Passmark extended instructions, and Passmark random string sorting.

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

A: The i5-1145G7 has a TDP of 28 W, while the i7-6700 has a TDP of 65 W, a difference of 37 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache per core?

A: The i5-1145G7 has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, while the i7-6700 has 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: What is the single-core Cinebench R23 score for each?

A: The i5-1145G7 scores 1098, and the i7-6700 scores 964, giving the i5 a 13.9% lead.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes a clear case for the Intel Core i5-1145G7 as the superior processor in the majority of workloads. It wins 15 of 19 head-to-head comparisons, with particularly strong showings in encryption (96.4% lead), integer math (25.1% lead), and single-thread performance (19.1% lead). The Cinebench results are uniformly in its favor by roughly 14%, indicating that rendering and content creation workloads will consistently prefer the Tiger Lake chip. For any user prioritizing modern compute performance, cryptographic operations, or general responsiveness, the i5-1145G7 is the data-backed choice.

However, the i7-6700 is not obsolete. Its wins in data compression (9.3%), random string sorting (12.1%), and Geekbench multi-core (3.2%) show that it retains an edge in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks and certain mixed workloads. The i7's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and 65 W TDP allow it to sustain performance in scenarios where the i5's 28 W TDP may cause thermal throttling. For desktop users with existing Socket 1151 motherboards who primarily handle archival, database, or string-processing tasks, the i7-6700 remains a viable option.

The architectural differences are stark: 10 nm vs 14 nm process, Tiger Lake vs Skylake microarchitecture, and a mobile BGA 1449 socket vs a desktop Socket 1151. These differences dictate the use case more than any single benchmark. The i5-1145G7 is a mobile part designed for efficiency and modern features like PCIe Gen 4 and Iris Xe graphics, while the i7-6700 is a desktop part with more PCIe lanes and higher sustained power. The final choice should be based on platform and workload. If you need a laptop processor with superior single-threaded and encryption performance, choose the i5-1145G7. If you are building or upgrading a desktop with a focus on data compression and have a Socket 1151 board, the i7-6700 still offers specific advantages.