Intel Core i5-1145G7E vs Intel Core i7-8559U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture. Across all six shared benchmark tests, the Intel Core i5-1145G7E emerges as the winner, with the Intel Core i7-8559U trailing by a nearly uniform margin. This is not a case of one chip excelling in a specific workload; the i5-1145G7E demonstrates a systematic advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance.

In the Cinebench R15 suite, the i5-1145G7E scores 757 in the multi-core test against 703 for the i7-8559U, a delta of -7.1%. The single-core test shows a similar story: 106 versus 99, a -6.6% difference. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where the i5-1145G7E posts 3156 multi-core and 445 single-core, while the i7-8559U manages 2933 and 414 respectively. The deltas here are -7.1% and -7%.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results reinforce this trend. The i5-1145G7E achieves 7516 in multi-core and 1061 in single-core. The i7-8559U trails with 6984 and 986, again a -7.1% gap in both tests. The consistency of this margin across different versions of the same benchmark suite is striking. It suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency advantage for the newer Tiger Lake part, rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Geekbench results, while not part of the head-to-head table, are available in the individual benchmark lists. Here, the i7-8559U shows a different profile. It scores 4293 multi-core and 1384 single-core. The i5-1145G7E does not have Geekbench scores in the database, so a direct comparison is not possible. However, the average benchmark score for the i7-8559U is 2225, while the i5-1145G7E sits at 2174. This is a curious inversion. Despite losing every head-to-head test, the i7-8559U has a higher average score. This is likely due to the inclusion of the Geekbench results in its average, which are not present for the i5-1145G7E. The data suggests that the i5-1145G7E is the stronger performer in the Cinebench suite, but the i7-8559U may have strengths in other types of workloads.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-1145G7E wins every multi-core test in the database. It leads by 7.1% in Cinebench R15 (757 vs 703), R20 (3156 vs 2933), and R23 (7516 vs 6984).

Q: Is the single-core performance advantage the same as the multi-core advantage?

A: Nearly identical. The i5-1145G7E leads by 6.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (106 vs 99) and by 7% in R20 (445 vs 414). In R23, the gap is 7.1% (1061 vs 986).

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-8559U has an average benchmark score of 2225, while the i5-1145G7E has an average of 2174. This is despite the i5 winning all head-to-head tests, likely because the i7 has additional Geekbench scores included in its average.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i7-8559U is nearly tied with the Intel Core i7-5775C, which has an average score of 2224, a 0% delta. The i5-1145G7E is similarly matched with the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, which scores 2175, a 0% delta.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-8559U and the Intel Core i5-1145G7E have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i5-1145G7E?

A: The launch MSRP is $312.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of Intel mobile design. The i7-8559U is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, using a 14 nm process node. Its die size is 123 mm². The i5-1145G7E, in contrast, is a Tiger Lake part, based on the Willow Cove microarchitecture, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process. Its die is larger at 144 mm². This process shrink is a key factor in the performance difference, allowing for greater efficiency and higher performance per watt.

The cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The i7-8559U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i5-1145G7E has a larger 80 KB of L1 cache per core and a substantially larger 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache. The larger L2 cache on the Tiger Lake part is a major architectural improvement, reducing latency for frequently accessed data.

The integrated graphics are another point of divergence. The i7-8559U features Iris Pro Plus graphics, while the i5-1145G7E is equipped with Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The newer Iris Xe architecture represents a significant generational leap in integrated graphics capability.

Memory support differs as well. The i7-8559U supports DDR4 memory. The i5-1145G7E supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, and its memory bus is dual-channel. The i5 also has a PCIe Gen 4 interface with 4 lanes (CPU only), a feature absent from the older i7.

Specification Differences

The core specifications reveal a clear generational split. The i7-8559U has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i5-1145G7E has a much lower base clock of 1500.00 MHz, but a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The lower base clock on the i5 is notable, but the boost clock is close to the i7's maximum. Both have a TDP of 28 watts.

The sockets are different: the i7-8559U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i5-1145G7E uses Intel BGA 1449. This means they are not interchangeable in a system. The process node differs, as noted, with the i7 on 14 nm and the i5 on 10 nm. The die size also differs, with the i5 being larger at 144 mm² versus 123 mm² for the i7.

The i5-1145G7E has a part number (SRK0Z) and a launch MSRP of $312, while the i7-8559U has neither listed. The release dates are also different, with the i7 launching in April 2018 and the i5 in September 2020. Both processors are locked, meaning their multipliers are not unlocked for overclocking. Neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-1145G7E is the clear winner in all tested Cinebench workloads. It holds a consistent 7% advantage in both single-core and multi-core tests. This makes it the superior choice for tasks that rely on CPU rendering, such as video encoding, 3D modeling, and other compute-intensive applications. The consistent margin across all Cinebench versions suggests a robust performance lead that scales with workload.

The i7-8559U, despite losing the head-to-head tests, has a higher average benchmark score of 2225 compared to 2174 for the i5. This is due to its Geekbench scores, which are not available for the i5. In the Geekbench tests, the i7 scores 4293 multi-core and 1384 single-core. This suggests that in certain types of workloads, particularly those measured by Geekbench, the i7-8559U may be competitive or even superior. The data implies that the i7 might have strengths in memory latency-sensitive or integer-heavy tasks, while the i5 excels in sustained floating-point or rendering workloads.

The i5-1145G7E also has a more modern feature set. Its support for LPDDR4X memory and PCIe Gen 4 could offer advantages in system responsiveness and data transfer speeds, though these are not directly measured in the benchmark data. The newer Iris Xe graphics are also a significant upgrade over the older Iris Pro Plus, which could make the i5 a better choice for light gaming or media tasks.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the Intel Core i5-1145G7E for users prioritizing raw CPU performance in rendering and compute tasks. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, with a consistent 7% lead over the i7-8559U. This is a significant margin, especially in multi-core workloads where the i5 scores 7516 versus 6984 in Cinebench R23. For a user upgrading from a Kaby Lake system, the Tiger Lake part offers a clear performance uplift.

However, the i7-8559U is not without merit. Its higher average benchmark score, driven by Geekbench results, suggests it may be better suited for certain types of applications. The i7 also has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which could provide an edge in lightly threaded tasks that are not well-represented by the Cinebench suite. The choice between the two depends on the specific workload. For Cinebench-style rendering, the i5-1145G7E is the clear winner. For other, more varied workloads, the i7-8559U might hold its own, as indicated by its higher average score.

The i5-1145G7E also brings a more modern platform with PCIe Gen 4 and LPDDR4X support, which could be important for future-proofing a system. Its launch MSRP of $312 provides a reference point for its market positioning. Ultimately, the i5-1145G7E is the better performer in the recorded tests, but the i7-8559U remains a capable processor with its own strengths. The decision should be guided by the specific applications and the importance of the newer platform features.