Intel Core i5-7640X vs Intel Core i7-1160G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7640X and Intel Core i7-1160G7 are two very different processors that happen to share a core count. The i5-7640X is a desktop Kaby Lake-X part from 2017, while the i7-1160G7 is a mobile Tiger Lake-U chip from 2020. The benchmark data shows a decisive victory for the newer mobile chip, which wins all six head-to-head tests despite its dramatically lower power envelope.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-1160G7 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, and it does so by a consistent margin of roughly 18 percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-1160G7 scores 740 against the i5-7640X’s 607, a delta of -18 percent from the i5’s perspective. The single-core R15 result is similar: 104 for the i7 versus 85 for the i5, an 18.3 percent gap. This pattern holds across the entire Cinebench suite, with the i7-1160G7 taking R20 multi-core 3084 to 2533 and R20 single-core 435 to 357, both showing a 17.9 percent advantage.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The i7-1160G7 posts 7343 in multi-core, beating the i5-7640X’s 6031 by 17.9 percent. In single-core R23, the i7 scores 1036 versus 851 for the i5, again a 17.9 percent lead. There are no benchmark wins for the i5-7640X anywhere in the data. The i7-1160G7 also has a higher single-core frequency, boosting to 4.40 GHz compared to the i5’s 4.30 GHz, which helps explain its consistent single-threaded superiority.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story than the head-to-head results. The i5-7640X has an average benchmark score of 2167, while the i7-1160G7 sits at 2124. This discrepancy exists because the i5’s average includes Geekbench results that the i7 does not have in its dataset. The i5 scores 5137 in Geekbench multi-core and 1736 in single-core, while the i7 has no Geekbench entries in the fact pack. When looking strictly at the shared Cinebench tests, the i7 wins all six. The percentile rankings are close, with the i5 at the 47th percentile and the i7 at the 46th percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most use cases: the Intel Core i7-1160G7. It is faster in every shared benchmark, and it achieves that performance with a 15 W TDP versus the i5-7640X’s 112 W TDP. That is a massive efficiency advantage. The i7-1160G7 also has twice the threads, with 8 threads against the i5’s 4, and it is built on a newer 10 nm process compared to the i5’s 14 nm node. For anyone building a system where power consumption and thermal output matter, the i7-1160G7 is the obvious choice.

The i5-7640X does have some advantages worth noting. It uses a desktop socket, Intel Socket 2066, which means it can be installed in a standard desktop motherboard with replaceable components. It has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is possible if the user has adequate cooling. It also supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, which the i7-1160G7 does not. However, these features do not translate into any benchmark wins in this comparison. The i5’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1145G7E with an average score of 2174 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE at 2175, placing it in a competitive mid-range tier. The i7-1160G7’s nearest rivals include the Intel Atom C5125 at 2122 and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U at 2135, showing it competes with efficient low-power parts.

For a builder prioritizing raw performance per watt, the i7-1160G7 wins outright. For someone who needs a desktop platform with upgrade potential and overclocking, the i5-7640X offers those capabilities, but the benchmark data shows it will be slower in CPU-bound workloads. The i7-1160G7 also has a launch MSRP of $426, which reflects its premium mobile positioning.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from completely different architectural eras. The i5-7640X uses Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-X variant, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It is part of the Core i5 X-Series 7th Generation lineup. The i7-1160G7 uses Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, built on Intel’s 10 nm process, and belongs to the Core i7 Willow Cove-U generation. The die size reflects this difference, with the i7-1160G7 having a 144 mm² die, while the i5-7640X has no die size listed.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-7640X has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i7-1160G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling better multi-tasking and more efficient use of each core. Cache layouts also differ. The i5 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7’s larger caches contribute to its better single-core performance.

Memory support is another major divider. The i5-7640X supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, which is unusual for a consumer chip and suggests a workstation-oriented design. The i7-1160G7 supports LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, with a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5 has no memory bandwidth figure in the data. The i7 also includes integrated graphics, specifically Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the i5 has no integrated graphics listed at all. This means the i5 requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

PCIe support differs as well. The i5 uses PCIe Gen 3, while the i7 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes available from the CPU. The i7’s newer PCIe standard offers higher bandwidth for compatible devices. The i7 is listed as end-of-life production status, while the i5 has no production status specified. The i5 has an unlocked multiplier, the i7 does not. The i7 has a part number SRK0E, while the i5 has none listed.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 740 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 607 for the i5-7640X, 3084 versus 2533 in R20, and 7343 versus 6031 in R23.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i7-1160G7 leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 104 versus 85 for the i5-7640X. In R20, it scores 435 versus 357, and in R23, it scores 1036 versus 851.

Q: Does the i5-7640X have any advantages in the benchmark data?

A: The i5-7640X has a higher average benchmark score of 2167 compared to 2124 for the i7-1160G7, but this is due to Geekbench results that are only listed for the i5. In the shared Cinebench tests, the i7 wins all six.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-7640X has a TDP of 112 W, while the i7-1160G7 has a TDP of 15 W. This makes the i7 far more power-efficient, though the i5’s higher TDP allows for higher sustained power delivery on desktop platforms.

Q: Can the i5-7640X be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i5-7640X has an unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking. The i7-1160G7 does not have an unlocked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the same way.

Q: Which CPU has better memory support?

A: The i5-7640X supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, while the i7-1160G7 supports LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus. The i7 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i5 has no bandwidth figure.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins in every measured performance category. It takes all six head-to-head benchmarks, covering both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its 8 threads give it an advantage in highly threaded workloads, and its larger 12 MB L3 cache likely contributes to its consistent lead. The i7 also wins in efficiency, with a 15 W TDP that is a fraction of the i5’s 112 W. This makes it suitable for compact or fanless designs where heat dissipation is limited. Its integrated Iris Xe-LP graphics mean it can run basic display output without a separate GPU, which is a significant advantage for small form factor builds.

The Intel Core i5-7640X wins in platform flexibility. It uses the Intel Socket 2066, which is a desktop socket that allows for user-replaceable CPUs and typically pairs with motherboards that have more expansion slots. Its unlocked multiplier enables overclocking, allowing users to push performance beyond stock settings if they have adequate cooling. The quad-channel DDR4 memory support is another area where the i5 has a structural advantage, as it offers more memory bandwidth potential than the i7’s dual-channel LPDDR4X setup. The i5 also has a slightly better percentile ranking at 47 percent versus 46 percent for the i7, though this is marginal. For a user building a dedicated desktop workstation with high-end memory and overclocking in mind, the i5-7640X provides those capabilities, but the benchmark scores show it will lag behind the i7-1160G7 in raw CPU performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The i5-7640X has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-1160G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ dramatically, with the i5 at 3.90 GHz and the i7 at 1200.00 MHz, though the i7 boosts to 4.40 GHz versus the i5’s 4.30 GHz. TDP is the largest gap, at 112 W for the i5 and 15 W for the i7. The i5 uses Intel Socket 2066, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1598. The i5 is built on 14 nm Kaby Lake, the i7 on 10 nm Tiger Lake. The i7 has a 144 mm² die size, while the i5 has none listed.

Cache hierarchies are not shared. The i5 has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB L3. The i7 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB L3. Memory support differs, with the i5 using DDR4 quad-channel and the i7 using LPDDR4X dual-channel. The i7 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, the i5 has none. PCIe generations differ, with the i5 on Gen 3 and the i7 on Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes. The i7 has integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, the i5 has no integrated graphics. The i5 has an unlocked multiplier, the i7 does not. The i7 is end-of-life, the i5 has no production status. The i7 has a part number SRK0E and a launch MSRP of $426, while the i5 has neither listed.