Intel Core i5-7640X vs Intel Core i7-1068NG7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and the Intel Core i5-7640X represent two very different philosophies for a four-core processor. The former is a modern, efficient mobile chip designed for thin-and-light laptops, while the latter is a high-power desktop part aimed at enthusiasts on a specific platform. The benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the architectural and platform differences are substantial. This analysis will break down the recorded measurements, compare their internal designs, and offer a verdict based strictly on the database information.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 leads with an average benchmark score of 2259, while the Intel Core i5-7640X scores 2167. The difference is a 4.2% advantage for the mobile part, placing both at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-1068NG7 scores 7810 points, which is 29.5% higher than the i5-7640X's 6031 points. This is one of the most significant deltas recorded in the head-to-head tests.

Q: Is there a benchmark where the i5-7640X wins?

A: No. The database records zero wins for the i5-7640X. The i7-1068NG7 wins all six head-to-head tests, including both multi-core and single-core workloads.

Q: What is the difference in single-core Cinebench R20 performance?

A: The i7-1068NG7 scores 462 points, while the i5-7640X scores 357 points. The i7-1068NG7 is 29.4% faster in this test, which is a substantial margin for a single-threaded workload.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: No. The i7-1068NG7 uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the i5-7640X uses a quad-channel bus. Both support DDR4 memory, but the i5-7640X's platform allows for more memory channels.

Q: Are these processors from the same manufacturing node?

A: No. The i7-1068NG7 is built on a 10 nm process, while the i5-7640X uses a 14 nm process. This represents a significant generational difference in manufacturing technology.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is stark, stemming from their different design goals and release periods. The i7-1068NG7 is a mobile part based on the Ice Lake architecture with the Sunny Cove microarchitecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. In contrast, the i5-7640X is a desktop processor using the older Kaby Lake architecture, built on the 14 nm process. This node difference is a primary driver of the efficiency and performance characteristics seen in the benchmarks.

Core and thread counts are a critical divergence. The i7-1068NG7 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The i5-7640X provides 4 cores and only 4 threads, lacking hyper-threading. This means the i7-1068NG7 can process eight instruction streams concurrently, while the i5-7640X is limited to four. This directly explains the 29.5% and 29.7% advantages in multi-core Cinebench R23 and R15 scores, respectively, where the extra threads are heavily utilized.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both share a per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 256 KB, but the shared L3 cache is different. The i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i5-7640X has 6 MB. This larger cache pool on the i7-1068NG7 can improve performance in workloads that benefit from more on-die storage.

The memory controller is another fundamental difference. The i7-1068NG7 uses a dual-channel memory bus, standard for mobile platforms. The i5-7640X, however, supports quad-channel memory, which is a feature of its desktop HEDT platform. While the database does not list a bandwidth figure for the i5-7640X, the i7-1068NG7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The presence of a quad-channel controller on the i5-7640X suggests a platform intended for high throughput, even if the chip itself does not fully utilize it in these tests.

Platform and physical attributes further separate them. The i7-1068NG7 uses the Intel BGA 1344 socket, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard, and has a TDP of 28 W, reflecting its mobile intent. The i5-7640X uses the Intel Socket 2066, a socketed desktop platform, and has a much higher TDP of 112 W. The i7-1068NG7 also includes integrated Iris Plus graphics, while the i5-7640X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The i7-1068NG7 has a locked multiplier, while the i5-7640X is unlocked for overclocking. Finally, the i7-1068NG7's die size is recorded as 123 mm², while the i5-7640X's die size is not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguously in favor of the i7-1068NG7. Across all six Cinebench tests, the mobile part wins with a consistent delta of approximately 29.4% to 29.7%. This consistency suggests a uniform performance advantage across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The largest recorded win for the i7-1068NG7 is in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 7810 against the i5-7640X's 6031, a 29.5% lead. This is closely followed by the R15 multi-core test, with scores of 787 and 607, representing a 29.7% advantage. These multi-core results are heavily influenced by the i7-1068NG7's 8 threads versus 4 threads, allowing it to handle parallel workloads more effectively.

The single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-1068NG7 scores 1102, which is 29.5% higher than the i5-7640X's 851. In R20 single-core, the scores are 462 and 357 for a 29.4% lead, and in R15 single-core, the scores are 110 and 85 for a 29.4% lead. The fact that the i7-1068NG7 also wins single-core tests by nearly 30% indicates that its architectural improvements, including the newer Sunny Cove cores and higher efficiency, deliver a significant IPC advantage over the older Kaby Lake design. The i5-7640X does have a higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz compared to 4.10 GHz, but this is not enough to overcome the architectural deficit.

The i5-7640X does have a Geekbench entry in its own benchmark list, scoring 5137 multi-core and 1736 single-core, but the i7-1068NG7 has no Geekbench scores recorded, so no direct comparison can be made from this data. The verdict is clear: the i7-1068NG7 is the superior performer in every measured Cinebench test.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 is the clear performance winner. It outperforms the i5-7640X by roughly 29.5% in all Cinebench tests, both single and multi-core. For any user prioritizing raw benchmark performance in these workloads, the i7-1068NG7 is the stronger choice, despite being a mobile part.

The i5-7640X's only advantages lie in platform features that are not reflected in these specific benchmarks. It is an unlocked processor with a quad-channel memory controller, which could appeal to users who plan to overclock or who have specific memory bandwidth needs. However, the database shows that the i5-7640X's higher TDP of 112 W and lack of integrated graphics do not translate into any benchmark wins in this comparison.

The market segments are also telling. The i7-1068NG7 is marked as a Mobile part, while the i5-7640X is a Desktop part. This means they are intended for entirely different systems. The i7-1068NG7 would be found in laptops, where its 28 W TDP and integrated graphics are essential. The i5-7640X would be found in a desktop tower with a dedicated GPU and a high-power cooling solution. Given the benchmark results, the i7-1068NG7 offers better performance per watt and per core in the tested workloads.

In summary, the data indicates that the i7-1068NG7 is the better processor for pure compute performance. The i5-7640X is a niche product whose platform features, such as the unlocked multiplier and quad-channel memory, do not compensate for its lower scores in the database's head-to-head tests. A user building a new system with these workloads in mind would see a significant performance advantage with the i7-1068NG7.

Specification Differences

The following table outlines the key differences between the two processors based on the available data.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1068NG7 | Intel Core i5-7640X |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 112 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1344 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-U | Kaby Lake-X |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Plus | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2019-07-31 | 2017-06-25 |

| Launch MSRP | $320 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | Not listed |