Intel Core i5-1335U vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1335U and Intel Core i7-1355U are two Raptor Lake-U mobile processors that share the same core count, thread count, and 15 W TDP envelope, yet they deliver noticeably different performance profiles. The benchmark data reveals a split personality: the i5-1335U tends to win in multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads, while the i7-1355U generally takes the lead in single-threaded tasks and integer math. A detailed head-to-head analysis shows that neither part is a clear overall victor, making the choice highly dependent on the specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive win for the Intel Core i5-1335U comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 8889.5 against the i7-1355U’s 8286, a substantial 7.3% advantage. This pattern repeats in the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the i5-1335U scores 1464 versus 1393, a 5.1% lead. These results indicate that the i5-1335U’s sustained multi-core performance is superior, likely due to more favorable power distribution across its 10 cores under heavy load. The i5-1335U also wins in PassMark data compression (159593 vs 155727, a 2.5% edge), data encryption (10009 vs 9831, a 1.8% lead), and extended instructions (8974 vs 8726, a 2.8% advantage). It also edges out the i7-1355U in floating-point math (35176 vs 34965, a 0.6% win) and random string sorting (17953 vs 17631, a 1.8% lead).

The Intel Core i7-1355U counters with a decisive victory in single-threaded performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1825 against the i5-1335U’s 1684.5, a 7.7% advantage. The i7-1355U also wins Cinebench R15 single-core (255.5 vs 238, a 6.8% lead) and Cinebench R20 single-core (698 vs 696, a tight 0.3% margin). PassMark single-thread results show the i7-1355U at 3444 versus 3336, a 3.1% lead. In integer math, the i7-1355U scores 52002 versus 51244, a 1.5% win. It also leads in PassMark physics (888 vs 837, a 5.7% margin) and find prime numbers (51 vs 48, a 5.9% win). The i7-1355U wins the PassMark multithread test narrowly (14299 vs 14281, a 0.1% margin), and in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7-1355U edges out the i5-1335U by just 0.3% (4949 vs 4935).

Overall, the i7-1355U wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-1335U wins 7. However, the magnitude of the i5-1335U’s wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (7.3%) and R15 multi-core (5.1%) outweighs many of the i7-1355U’s smaller victories. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the i5-1335U posts an average of 18982, while the i7-1355U averages 18730, a difference of roughly 1.3% in favor of the i5-1335U. Both processors sit at the 73rd percentile against all CPUs, indicating they are comparable in overall standing. The i5-1335U’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7773X (0% delta) and Intel Core i5-12400F (-0.3%), while the i7-1355U’s nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 7643 (0.2%) and Intel Core i5-12400 (0.3%).

The Verdict

Based strictly on benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-1335U is the better choice for users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, and floating-point workloads. Its 7.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2.5% win in data compression indicate a meaningful advantage in content creation and data processing tasks. The i5-1335U’s higher average benchmark score (18982 vs 18730) reinforces this as the more capable all-around processor for sustained workloads.

The Intel Core i7-1355U is the better option for users who need maximum single-threaded responsiveness. Its 7.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 3.1% win in PassMark single-thread make it the superior choice for lightly threaded applications, legacy software, and tasks where per-core performance dominates. The i7-1355U’s wins in integer math and physics also suggest it handles compute-intensive single-threaded code more efficiently.

For general use, the two are nearly interchangeable. The 0.3% and 0.1% margins in Cinebench R20 multi-core and PassMark multithread, respectively, show that in mixed workloads the differences are negligible. However, if a user’s workload leans toward either end of the spectrum—heavy multi-threading or heavy single-threading—the data points clearly to the i5-1335U and i7-1355U, respectively. The i7-1355U’s higher launch MSRP of $469 versus the i5-1335U’s $340 does not translate into an overall performance advantage in the benchmark suite, making the i5-1335U the more compelling choice for multi-threaded performance per dollar spent.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1335U wins in scenarios that stress all cores simultaneously. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8889.5 and R15 multi-core score of 1464 show it handles sustained rendering and CPU-bound video encoding better than the i7-1355U. Data compression (159593) and encryption (10009) wins indicate a strong showing in file archiving and data security tasks. The floating-point math win (35176) suggests an edge in scientific computing and simulation workloads. Extended instructions (8974) and random string sorting (17953) wins round out a profile suited to database operations and string-heavy processing.

The Intel Core i7-1355U wins in workloads that depend on single-core speed and integer operations. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1825 and R15 single-core of 255.5 make it the better choice for office productivity, web browsing, and application launch times where responsiveness is key. The integer math win (52002) is significant for financial modeling and logic-heavy applications. The physics score (888) indicates stronger performance in simulation engines that rely on single-threaded physics calculations. The find prime numbers win (51 vs 48) and PassMark single-thread lead (3444 vs 3336) reinforce its advantage in purely sequential tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-1335U wins the two most demanding multi-core tests: Cinebench R23 multi-core (8889.5 vs 8286, a 7.3% lead) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (1464 vs 1393, a 5.1% lead). Its average benchmark score is also higher at 18982 versus 18730.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U consistently wins single-threaded benchmarks. It leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (1825 vs 1684.5, a 7.7% margin), Cinebench R15 single-core (255.5 vs 238, a 6.8% lead), and PassMark single-thread (3444 vs 3336, a 3.1% advantage).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-1335U and Intel Core i7-1355U have 10 cores and 12 threads. They also both have a 15 W TDP and use the same Intel BGA 1744 socket.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in data encryption and compression?

A: The Intel Core i5-1335U wins both. It scores 159593 in data compression versus 155727 for the i7-1355U (a 2.5% lead), and 10009 in data encryption versus 9831 (a 1.8% advantage).

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-1335U features Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Intel Core i7-1355U has Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so no performance comparison can be made.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1335U has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i7-1355U also has a higher base clock of 1.70 GHz versus 1.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel’s Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, and use the same 10 nm process node from Intel. They share identical cache configurations: 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. They also both use PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU.

The key architectural difference lies in clock speeds. The Intel Core i7-1355U has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1335U has a base clock of 1.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. This 400 MHz advantage in both base and boost clocks explains the i7-1355U’s single-threaded wins. The i5-1335U, despite lower clocks, achieves higher multi-core scores, suggesting its power management or binning allows better sustained performance across all cores.

The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-1335U has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the i7-1355U has 96 execution units. Both CPUs have 10 cores and 12 threads, are unlocked (multiplier unlocked is false), and belong to the same Raptor Lake-U generation. They were both released on the same date and are both listed as Active in production. The part numbers differ (SRMEX for the i5-1335U, SRMLY for the i7-1355U), and the launch MSRP is $340 for the i5-1335U and $469 for the i7-1355U. Neither CPU includes 3D V-Cache, and both lack ECC support.