Intel Core i5-1145G7 vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7700 and Intel Core i5-1145G7 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but the benchmark data shows two very different performance profiles. The newer i5-1145G7 wins the majority of head-to-head tests, taking 14 of the 19 recorded comparisons, while the desktop i7-7700 secures 5 wins, mostly in areas that favor its older architecture or higher sustained power delivery. The overall average benchmark score favors the i7-7700 at 11914 versus 11279 for the i5-1145G7, a small 5.6% gap, but the individual test results reveal a more nuanced picture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-1145G7 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 783 against 740 for the i7-7700, a 5.5% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 110 versus 104, again a 5.5% lead. This consistency continues in Cinebench R20, where the i5-1145G7 posts 3266 multicore and 461 single-core, compared to 3084 and 435 for the i7-7700, representing 5.6% leads in both. Cinebench R23 shows the same 5.6% edge for the i5-1145G7 in both multicore (7777 versus 7344) and single-core (1098 versus 1036). These results indicate that the Tiger Lake architecture delivers a uniform performance uplift across all Cinebench versions, regardless of core count.

The i7-7700's biggest win comes in PassMark data compression, where it scores 122429 against 103172 for the i5-1145G7, an 18.7% advantage. This is a substantial margin and suggests the older CPU handles compression workloads more efficiently. The i7-7700 also wins PassMark random string sorting by 22.5%, scoring 15509 versus 12658. In PassMark extended instructions, the i7-7700 leads with 8128 against 7235, a 12.3% margin. The i7-7700's remaining wins are narrower: PassMark physics at 588 versus 568, a 3.5% lead, and Geekbench multicore at 4640 versus 4066, a 14.1% advantage.

The i5-1145G7's most dominant win is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 5406 against 2974, a massive 45% lead. This is the largest single delta in the comparison. The i5-1145G7 also shows strong leads in PassMark integer math (32087 versus 27538, 14.2% ahead) and PassMark floating point math (19233 versus 16904, 12.1% ahead). In PassMark find prime numbers, the i5-1145G7 leads 33 to 28, a 15.2% margin. The i5-1145G7 wins PassMark multithread with 9452 versus 8635, an 8.6% edge, and PassMark single thread with 2713 versus 2442, a 10% lead. Geekbench single-core goes to the i5-1145G7 at 1463 versus 1369, a 6.4% difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-7700 boosts to 4.20 GHz. The i5-1145G7 also has a lower base clock at 2.60 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the i7-7700.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Geekbench multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 4640, which is 14.1% higher than the 4066 scored by the Intel Core i5-1145G7. However, in Geekbench single-core, the i5-1145G7 leads with 1463 versus 1369, a 6.4% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in memory support between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded for it.

Q: Which CPU has better performance in PassMark data encryption?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7 is significantly ahead, scoring 5406 versus 2974 for the Intel Core i7-7700, a 45% lead. This makes encryption a clear strength for the i5-1145G7.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-7700 has a locked multiplier, and the Intel Core i5-1145G7 is also locked.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 is listed as active, while the Intel Core i5-1145G7 is marked as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-7700 is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-1145G7 uses Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm node. The i5-1145G7 has a die size of 144 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i7-7700. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, but their cache hierarchies differ. The i7-7700 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1145G7 has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, also with 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 cache on the i5-1145G7 likely contributes to its strong single-threaded performance.

The memory controllers differ as well. The i7-7700 supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-1145G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth is not recorded. PCIe support also differs: the i7-7700 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-1145G7 provides PCIe Gen 4 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. This makes the i7-7700 better suited for desktop expansion, while the i5-1145G7 is designed for mobile integration.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-7700 uses HD 630 graphics, while the i5-1145G7 uses Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The i5-1145G7's newer graphics architecture is a clear upgrade for any workload that leverages the iGPU. The market segments also differ: the i7-7700 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-1145G7 is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1449.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows that the Intel Core i5-1145G7 is the better choice for most workloads, despite its lower average benchmark score. It wins 14 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons, including all six Cinebench tests, all but one PassMark math test, and both single-threaded tests. Its 45% lead in data encryption and strong margins in integer and floating point math indicate that modern compute workloads favor the Tiger Lake architecture.

The Intel Core i7-7700 should be chosen when specific workloads align with its strengths. It wins data compression by 18.7%, random string sorting by 22.5%, extended instructions by 12.3%, physics by 3.5%, and Geekbench multicore by 14.1%. For users running these specific tasks, the i7-7700 offers measurable advantages. Its higher TDP of 65 watts versus 28 watts suggests it can sustain performance in desktop environments, but the recorded data shows the i5-1145G7 still wins most multithreaded tests despite its lower power envelope.

The i5-1145G7 also offers architectural advantages that are not captured in raw performance scores. It supports newer PCIe Gen 4, more memory types, and a superior integrated GPU. Its launch MSRP is $309, though the i7-7700 has no recorded launch MSRP. For a mobile platform, the i5-1145G7 is the clear winner. For a desktop with expansion needs, the i7-7700's PCIe Gen 3 16-lane support and higher memory bandwidth make it a more flexible foundation.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specifications. The i7-7700 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.60 GHz for the i5-1145G7, but the i5-1145G7 boosts higher at 4.40 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. The i7-7700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-1145G7 has a TDP of 28 watts. The socket differs: Intel Socket 1151 for the i7-7700 versus Intel BGA 1449 for the i5-1145G7.

The process node differs: 14 nm for the i7-7700 versus 10 nm for the i5-1145G7. The i5-1145G7 has a recorded die size of 144 mm², while the i7-7700 has none recorded. Cache sizes differ: the i7-7700 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, while the i5-1145G7 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache.

Memory support differs: the i7-7700 supports only DDR4, while the i5-1145G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The i7-7700 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-1145G7 has none recorded. PCIe support differs: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i7-7700 versus Gen 4 with 4 lanes for the i5-1145G7. Integrated graphics differ: HD 630 for the i7-7700 versus Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU for the i5-1145G7.

The market segment differs: desktop for the i7-7700 versus mobile for the i5-1145G7. Production status differs: active for the i7-7700 versus end-of-life for the i5-1145G7. Release dates differ: January 2017 for the i7-7700 versus September 2020 for the i5-1145G7. The i5-1145G7 has a launch MSRP of $309, while the i7-7700 has none recorded. The part numbers differ: SR338 for the i7-7700 and SRK03 for the i5-1145G7.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-7700 wins in data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, physics, and Geekbench multicore. These results point to workloads that benefit from sustained desktop power delivery and the older architecture's specific instruction handling. The 22.5% lead in random string sorting and 18.7% lead in data compression make the i7-7700 a better fit for database-like operations and data processing tasks. Its 14.1% Geekbench multicore win suggests that some multithreaded workloads still favor the desktop part.

The Intel Core i5-1145G7 wins in every Cinebench test, all single-threaded tests, data encryption, integer math, floating point math, find prime numbers, and multithread. Its 45% encryption lead is the standout result, making it the obvious choice for any security-related or encryption-heavy workloads. Its leads in integer math (14.2%) and floating point math (12.1%) show strong general compute ability. The i5-1145G7 also wins PassMark multithread by 8.6%, indicating that its mobile design does not hold it back in parallel tasks.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. The i5-1145G7 is the better all-rounder, winning more tests and dominating the modern Cinebench suite. The i7-7700 is the specialist, winning specific data-processing tasks and offering more PCIe lanes for desktop expansion. The i5-1145G7's superior integrated graphics and support for LPDDR4X memory make it a more complete mobile solution, while the i7-7700's higher memory bandwidth and active production status give it longevity in desktop builds. The recorded data favors the i5-1145G7 for most users, but the i7-7700 remains competitive in its niche.