Intel Core i5-1145G7E vs Intel Core i7-1185GRE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1185GRE and Intel Core i5-1145G7E are both Tiger Lake-U mobile processors with identical core counts and sockets, but the benchmark data delivers a clear and consistent verdict: the i5-1145G7E wins every single head-to-head test, despite being the lower-tier part in name. The i7-1185GRE holds the higher boost clock, larger L3 cache, and superior integrated graphics, yet the i5-1145G7E’s higher TDP and more aggressive clock behavior translate into a sweeping 6-0 victory across all Cinebench workloads. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (2178 vs 2174, a 0.2% delta), but the per-test results show the i5-1145G7E is anywhere from 11.3% to 11.8% faster in every measured scenario.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1145G7E wins everywhere that raw CPU throughput matters. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 11.7% in both Cinebench R20 (3156 vs 2786) and Cinebench R23 (7516 vs 6635), and by 11.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore (757 vs 668). Single-core performance follows the same pattern: the i5-1145G7E is 11.3% ahead in R15 (106 vs 94), 11.7% ahead in R20 (445 vs 393), and 11.8% ahead in R23 (1061 vs 936). There is no benchmark in the data where the i7-1185GRE comes out on top.

The i7-1185GRE does not win any of the six head-to-head benchmarks. Its role is defined by features rather than performance: it offers ECC memory support (the i5-1145G7E lacks this), a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB, and a more powerful Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU unit compared to the i5-1145G7E’s 80EU version. For workloads that rely on cache capacity or the integrated GPU, the i7-1185GRE is the better candidate, but for pure CPU compute, the i5-1145G7E is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Tiger Lake-U codename, Willow Cove-U core architecture, 10 nm process node, Intel foundry, and 144 mm² die size. They also share the same Intel BGA 1449 socket, dual-channel memory bus, and support for DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory. The core configuration is identical: 4 cores and 8 threads on both parts, with 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

The differences are concentrated in a few areas. The i7-1185GRE has a 1800 MHz base clock and a 4.40 GHz boost clock, while the i5-1145G7E operates at a 1500 MHz base clock and a 4.10 GHz boost clock. Despite the lower clocks, the i5-1145G7E has a higher TDP of 28 watts versus the i7-1185GRE’s 15 watts, which explains why it sustains higher performance in sustained loads. The L3 cache differs: 12 MB shared on the i7-1185GRE versus 8 MB shared on the i5-1145G7E. The i7-1185GRE also includes ECC memory support, while the i5-1145G7E does not, and the integrated graphics differ (96EU vs 80EU). Both parts use Gen 4 PCIe with 4 CPU-only lanes, and both were released on the same date with active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test sets the tone: the i5-1145G7E scores 757 against the i7-1185GRE’s 668, a delta of -11.8% from the i7’s perspective. The single-core R15 result is similarly lopsided: 106 vs 94, an 11.3% deficit for the i7. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-1145G7E posts 3156 multicore and 445 single-core, while the i7-1185GRE manages 2786 and 393, respectively; both deltas sit at -11.7%. The Cinebench R23 results mirror this exactly: the i5-1145G7E’s 7516 multicore and 1061 single-core beat the i7-1185GRE’s 6635 and 936, with deltas of -11.7% and -11.8%.

The consistency is striking. Every delta falls within a narrow band of 11.3% to 11.8%, suggesting the performance gap is systemic rather than workload-specific. The i7-1185GRE’s higher boost clock (4.40 GHz vs 4.10 GHz) does not compensate for the i5-1145G7E’s higher TDP (28W vs 15W) in these benchmarks. The i5-1145G7E wins 6 of 6 head-to-head tests, and the i7-1185GRE records zero wins.

In the broader context, both CPUs sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2178 for the i7-1185GRE and 2174 for the i5-1145G7E. The i7-1185GRE’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE (2175, 0.2% delta), followed by the i5-1145G7E (2174, 0.2%), the Intel Core i5-7640X (2167, 0.5%), and the Intel Core i7-5950HQ (2158, 1%). The i5-1145G7E’s nearest rivals are the same four chips, with essentially identical deltas.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7E wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests: R15 (757 vs 668, -11.8%), R20 (3156 vs 2786, -11.7%), and R23 (7516 vs 6635, -11.7%).

Q: Does the i7-1185GRE win any benchmark?

A: No. The data shows zero wins for the i7-1185GRE across all six head-to-head tests; the i5-1145G7E wins all six.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-1185GRE averages 2178, while the i5-1145G7E averages 2174. The delta is 0.2% in favor of the i7, which is within the margin of error given the nearest rival (AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE) sits at 2175.

Q: What advantages does the i7-1185GRE offer?

A: It has ECC memory support (the i5-1145G7E does not), a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB, and a more powerful integrated GPU (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU vs 80EU).

Q: Why is the i5-1145G7E faster despite lower clock speeds?

A: The i5-1145G7E has a higher TDP of 28 watts versus the i7-1185GRE’s 15 watts, which allows it to sustain higher performance under load. Its base clock is 1500 MHz versus 1800 MHz, but its boost clock is 4.10 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

Q: Are these CPUs similar in overall performance?

A: Yes. Both are at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, and their average scores differ by only 0.2%. The per-test results, however, consistently favor the i5-1145G7E by 11-12%.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: if you prioritize CPU compute performance, the Intel Core i5-1145G7E is the superior choice. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set, with margins between 11.3% and 11.8%. The i7-1185GRE’s higher boost clock and larger L3 cache do not translate into any benchmark victory. The i5-1145G7E’s 28W TDP gives it a sustained performance advantage that the i7-1185GRE’s 15W design cannot match, even with a higher peak clock.

The i7-1185GRE is the right pick only when its specific feature set matters: ECC memory support, a 12 MB L3 cache, and the 96EU integrated GPU. For workloads that leverage the GPU or require ECC, the i7-1185GRE is the only option of the two. For all CPU-bound tasks—rendering, encoding, general productivity—the i5-1145G7E is faster and delivers the same core/thread count. The average benchmark scores are effectively tied (2178 vs 2174), but the per-test data tells a different story: the i5-1145G7E is the stronger performer in every measured workload.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1185GRE | Intel Core i5-1145G7E |

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

| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 1500 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Launch MSRP | $490 | $312 |

| Part Number | SRK0Y | SRK0Z |

Identical between both parts: 4 cores, 8 threads, 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, Intel BGA 1449 socket, Tiger Lake-U codename, 10 nm process, 144 mm² die size, DDR4/LPDDR4X memory support, dual-channel memory bus, Gen 4 PCIe with 4 CPU-only lanes, and a September 2020 release date.