Intel Core i5-1145G7E vs Intel Core i7-1160G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1145G7E and Intel Core i7-1160G7 are both 4-core, 8-thread Tiger Lake-U mobile processors, but benchmark data reveals a surprising outcome: the lower-tier i5 consistently outperforms the i7 across every single test in the head-to-head comparison. The i5-1145G7E wins all six Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from 1.9% to 2.4%. This is a complete sweep, despite the i7-1160G7 carrying a higher-tier name and a higher launch MSRP. The data suggests that the i5's higher base clock and higher TDP give it a practical edge in sustained workloads, even though the i7 has a superior boost clock and more L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive wins for the Intel Core i5-1145G7E come in the multi-core tests, where the margin is consistently around 2.3-2.4%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 7516 against the i7's 7343, a 2.4% lead. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5 posts 3156 versus 3084, and in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 757 against 740. The consistency of these margins — 2.3% in R15 and R20, 2.4% in R23 — suggests a stable performance advantage rather than a workload-specific fluke. The i5-1145G7E's 1500 MHz base clock, compared to the i7's 1200 MHz, likely explains this sustained edge; the i5 can maintain higher frequencies under load without needing to boost as aggressively.

Single-core results tell a similar, though slightly tighter, story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-1145G7E scores 1061 against 1036, a 2.4% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 445 versus 435, and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 106 versus 104, with the latter being the smallest margin at 1.9%. Interestingly, the i7-1160G7 has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 4.10 GHz on the i5, yet it still loses every single-core test. This implies that the i5's higher base clock and possibly better sustained power delivery matter more than raw boost capability in these benchmarks. The i7's boost clock advantage of 300 MHz is simply not enough to overcome the i5's other advantages.

Looking at the broader context, the i5-1145G7E's average benchmark score is 2174, placing it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-1160G7's average is 2124, at the 46th percentile. These are remarkably close overall scores, yet the head-to-head deltas are consistent. The i5's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE with an average score of 2175 (0% delta), while the i7's nearest rival is the Intel Atom C5125 at 2122 (0.1% delta). The data shows that while both chips sit in a similar performance tier globally, the i5 is the clear winner in direct comparison. The i7's 2.4% loss in Cinebench R23 multi-core might seem small, but it is a uniform pattern across all six tests — there is no test where the i7 pulls ahead.

The Verdict

From a pure performance standpoint, the Intel Core i5-1145G7E is the superior processor. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with the largest margins in multi-core workloads where it leads by 2.4% in Cinebench R23. The i7-1160G7, despite its higher-tier branding and 12 MB of L3 cache, cannot overcome the i5's higher base clock and higher TDP. Buyers who prioritize raw compute performance in Cinebench-type workloads should choose the i5-1145G7E without hesitation. The i7's only potential appeal is its integrated graphics — it features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units versus the i5's Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 EUs — but this advantage is not reflected in any CPU benchmark data. For CPU-bound tasks, the i5 is the data-driven pick. The i7's production status is also listed as end-of-life, whereas the i5 remains active, suggesting better long-term availability for the i5.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Tiger Lake architecture with the Tiger Lake-U codename and a 10 nm process node. The die size is identical at 144 mm² for both. The core architecture is also the same: Willow Cove-U, with 4 cores and 8 threads each. The L1 and L2 caches are identical — 80 KB per core for L1 and 1.25 MB per core for L2. The critical architectural difference lies in the L3 cache: the i5-1145G7E has 8 MB shared, while the i7-1160G7 has 12 MB shared. This 4 MB difference is a significant architectural distinction, yet it does not translate into a performance win for the i7 in any benchmark. The i5's higher base clock appears to compensate for the smaller cache, or the cache difference simply does not impact these Cinebench workloads. The memory support also differs architecturally: the i5 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i7 supports only LPDDR4X. Both are dual-channel, with the i7 explicitly listing a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i7 featuring a 96-EU Iris Xe-LP GPU versus the i5's 80-EU Iris Xe GPU. Both processors use the same PCIe Gen 4 implementation with 4 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets diverge in several key fields. The base clock is the most obvious difference: the i5-1145G7E runs at 1500 MHz, while the i7-1160G7 runs at 1200 MHz. The boost clock flips the comparison, with the i7 reaching 4.40 GHz versus the i5's 4.10 GHz. The TDP also differs substantially — the i5 is rated at 28 watts, while the i7 is rated at just 15 watts. This explains the i5's performance edge: it has nearly double the thermal headroom. The sockets are different (Intel BGA 1449 for the i5, Intel BGA 1598 for the i7), making them non-interchangeable. The L3 cache differs as noted: 8 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support differs, with the i5 supporting DDR4 and LPDDR4X while the i7 only supports LPDDR4X. The integrated graphics differ in execution units (80 vs 96). The production status is another key difference: the i5 is active, while the i7 is end-of-life. The launch MSRP is $312 for the i5 and $426 for the i7. The part numbers are SRK0Z for the i5 and SRK0E for the i7. Both are unlocked multipliers — they are locked, as multiplierUnlocked is false for both.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7E has a base clock of 1500 MHz, which is 300 MHz higher than the Intel Core i7-1160G7's 1200 MHz base clock.

Q: Does the i7-1160G7 ever beat the i5-1145G7E in any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the i5-1145G7E wins all six Cinebench tests, with the i7 losing by margins of 1.9% to 2.4% across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference between these two processors?

A: The i5-1145G7E has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-1160G7 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache — a 4 MB advantage for the i7.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The i5-1145G7E has a TDP of 28 watts, compared to the i7-1160G7's 15 watts. This higher TDP likely explains the i5's performance advantage.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-1145G7E is listed as active, while the i7-1160G7 is listed as end-of-life.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-1145G7E has an average benchmark score of 2174, placing it at the 47th percentile, while the i7-1160G7 has an average score of 2124, at the 46th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1145G7E wins every compute benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its strengths are most pronounced in multi-core workloads, where it leads by 2.4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2.3% in Cinebench R20 multi-core. This makes it the better choice for any application that leverages multiple threads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compiling. Its higher base clock of 1500 MHz and 28-watt TDP provide sustained performance that the 15-watt i7 cannot match, even with its higher boost clock. The i5 also benefits from broader memory support, accepting both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, which could offer more flexibility in system design. Its active production status means it is more readily available for new designs.

The Intel Core i7-1160G7, despite losing every benchmark, has one notable advantage: its integrated graphics. With 96 execution units versus the i5's 80, the i7's Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 has a 20% higher EU count, potentially offering better iGPU performance for light gaming or media tasks — though no graphics benchmarks are in the data to confirm this. The i7 also has a larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB) and a higher boost clock (4.40 GHz vs 4.10 GHz), which could theoretically benefit bursty, single-threaded workloads that are not captured in the Cinebench tests. The i7's lower 15-watt TDP is a double-edged sword: it means lower power draw and potentially better battery life in laptops, but it also caps sustained performance. For users who prioritize power efficiency or need the stronger iGPU, the i7 has a rationale; for anyone focused on CPU compute, the i5 is the clear winner based on the data.