Intel Core i5-8250U vs Intel Core i7-1165G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1165G7 and the Intel Core i5-8250U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, but the benchmark data places them in different performance tiers. The i7-1165G7 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, 17 wins to 0, and posts an average benchmark score of 9235 against 8577 for the i5-8250U. The data is unambiguous: the i7-1165G7 is the faster processor across every measured workload, but the size of that advantage varies significantly by task type, which makes the choice between them depend on the specific use case.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1165G7 wins in every recorded test, so this section is about the magnitude of its wins and what that means for different workloads. The largest deltas appear in encryption and prime number finding, where the newer architecture shows its biggest advantage. In PassMark data encryption, the i7-1165G7 scores 5561 against 1979 for the i5-8250U, a 181% difference. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 155.6% delta, with scores of 46 and 18. These are the workloads where the i7-1165G7 is not just faster, it is in a different class entirely.

The smallest advantage appears in random string sorting, where the i7-1165G7 scores 12698 against 10257, a 23.8% delta. This is still a clear win, but it indicates that memory-latency-sensitive or simpler integer tasks narrow the gap. Data compression also shows a relatively modest delta at 35.3%, with scores of 103497 and 76521. These results suggest that the i5-8250U remains competitive in certain throughput-oriented tasks, even though it loses.

For single-threaded performance, the i7-1165G7 leads by 46.5% in PassMark single thread, scoring 2763 against 1886. The Cinebench single-core results show a larger gap, with the i7-1165G7 scoring 1170 in Cinebench R23 single-core against 694 for the i5-8250U, a 68.6% delta. This indicates that the i7-1165G7 has a substantial per-core advantage, which matters for applications that rely on one or two threads.

The i5-8250U does not win any category, but its performance profile is not uniform. Its best relative showing is in random string sorting and data compression, where the deltas are below 36%. Its worst relative showing is in encryption, where it trails by 181%. The data shows that the i5-8250U is a capable processor for everyday tasks, but it is outclassed in compute-heavy workloads.

The i7-1165G7 also dominates in multithreaded tests. PassMark multithread shows a 71.3% delta, with scores of 9958 and 5812. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 68.6% delta, with scores of 8293 and 4918. The i7-1165G7 reaches 65th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the i5-8250U sits at 64th percentile, so despite the large performance gap between the two, both rank similarly relative to the broader CPU landscape.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion for most buyers: the Intel Core i7-1165G7 is the superior processor. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 23.8% to 181%. If the workload involves encryption, prime number calculations, floating-point math, integer math, physics, or any of the Cinebench render tests, the i7-1165G7 is the clear choice. Its average benchmark score of 9235 is 658 points higher than the i5-8250U's 8577.

For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness, the i7-1165G7 is also the pick. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1170 is 68.6% higher than the i5-8250U's 694, and its PassMark single-thread score of 2763 is 46.5% higher. The i7-1165G7 also carries Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, compared to UHD 620 in the i5-8250U, which gives it a stronger integrated graphics solution on paper.

The i5-8250U is only the rational choice in specific circumstances, and those circumstances are not about performance. It is an active production part, while the i7-1165G7 is end-of-life. It also has a lower TDP of 15 watts against 28 watts for the i7-1165G7, which can matter for fanless designs or very power-constrained systems. The i5-8250U uses the older Intel BGA 1356 socket, while the i7-1165G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, so they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

The i7-1165G7 has a launch MSRP of $426. The database does not record a launch MSRP for the i5-8250U, so no price comparison can be made. The verdict from the data is that the i7-1165G7 is the faster processor in every measured category, and the i5-8250U is the more power-efficient and still-produced option, but not a performance alternative.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-1165G7 scores 835 against 495, a 68.7% delta. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the scores are 117 and 69, a 69.6% delta. The R20 versions show the same 68.7% delta for both multicore and single-core, with scores of 3483 versus 2065 and 491 versus 291. Cinebench R23 follows with a 68.6% delta in both multicore and single-core, scores of 8293 versus 4918 and 1170 versus 694. These results confirm that the i7-1165G7 is roughly 69% faster across all Cinebench versions, regardless of thread count.

The PassMark suite reveals where the gap is largest and smallest. Data encryption is the standout: 5561 for the i7-1165G7 versus 1979 for the i5-8250U, a 181% delta. This is the single biggest win in the entire comparison. Find prime numbers is close behind at 155.6%, with scores of 46 and 18. These two tests suggest the i7-1165G7 has significantly stronger integer and cryptographic instruction throughput.

Floating-point math and integer math also favor the i7-1165G7 heavily. Floating-point math scores 19830 versus 12706, a 56.1% delta. Integer math scores 33349 versus 20885, a 59.7% delta. Extended instructions show a 48.8% delta, with scores of 7323 and 4920. Physics scores 712 versus 405, a 75.8% delta. PassMark multithread scores 9958 versus 5812, a 71.3% delta.

The smaller wins are still decisive. Random string sorting shows a 23.8% delta, with scores of 12698 and 10257. Data compression shows a 35.3% delta, with scores of 103497 and 76521. PassMark single-thread shows a 46.5% delta, with scores of 2763 and 1886. The data shows that even in the i5-8250U's best relative categories, the i7-1165G7 is faster by nearly a quarter.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-1165G7 is faster in every multi-core test. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 8293 for the i7-1165G7 against 4918 for the i5-8250U, a 68.6% delta. PassMark multithread shows 9958 against 5812, a 71.3% delta.

Q: How big is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The i7-1165G7 leads by 68.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 1170 against 694. PassMark single-thread shows a smaller gap of 46.5%, with scores of 2763 and 1886.

Q: Which workload shows the largest difference between the two?

A: Data encryption shows the largest delta at 181%, with the i7-1165G7 scoring 5561 and the i5-8250U scoring 1979. Find prime numbers is close behind at 155.6%, with scores of 46 and 18.

Q: Does the i5-8250U win any benchmark?

A: No. The database records 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the i7-1165G7 wins all 17. The i5-8250U has zero wins.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two?

A: The i7-1165G7 uses Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm². The i5-8250U uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process with a die size of 123 mm². The i7-1165G7 also has a larger cache configuration and different integrated graphics.

Q: Are these processors interchangeable in the same motherboard?

A: No. The i7-1165G7 uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, while the i5-8250U uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket. The i7-1165G7 also supports PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes, while the database does not record PCIe support for the i5-8250U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i7-1165G7 is built on Tiger Lake architecture with the codename Tiger Lake-U, using the Willow Cove-U core generation. The i5-8250U is built on Kaby Lake architecture with the codename Kaby Lake-R, using the Kaby Lake-U Refresh core generation. This generational gap explains much of the performance difference.

The process node differs significantly. The i7-1165G7 is manufactured on a 10 nm process, while the i5-8250U uses a 14 nm process. The die sizes also differ: the i7-1165G7 measures 144 mm², and the i5-8250U measures 123 mm². The newer process node allows the i7-1165G7 to achieve higher clock speeds and better instruction throughput despite a larger die.

Cache configurations are substantially different. The i7-1165G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-8250U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-1165G7 doubles the L3 cache and offers much larger per-core L2 cache, which contributes to its performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-1165G7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the i5-8250U features UHD 620. The database does not record execution unit counts for the UHD 620, but the Iris Xe-LP brand indicates a higher-tier integrated GPU solution.

Memory support also differs. The i7-1165G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in dual-channel configuration. The i5-8250U supports DDR4 memory, and the database does not record its memory bus configuration. The i7-1165G7 also has PCIe Gen 4 support with 4 lanes, while no PCIe support is recorded for the i5-8250U.

The release dates are far apart. The i5-8250U was released in August 2017, and the i7-1165G7 was released in September 2020. The production status also differs: the i7-1165G7 is marked end-of-life, while the i5-8250U is still active. The part numbers are SRK02 for the i7-1165G7 and SR3LA for the i5-8250U.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock speeds differ. The i7-1165G7 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the i5-8250U has a base clock of 1600.00 MHz, which is 1.60 GHz. The boost clocks also differ: the i7-1165G7 boosts to 4.70 GHz, and the i5-8250U boosts to 3.40 GHz.

The TDP differs by a significant margin. The i7-1165G7 has a TDP of 28 watts, and the i5-8250U has a TDP of 15 watts. This means the i5-8250U is designed for lower power envelopes, which can be an advantage in thin-and-light laptops, while the i7-1165G7 draws more power for higher performance.

Sockets are different. The i7-1165G7 uses Intel BGA 1449, and the i5-8250U uses Intel BGA 1356. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported for either.

Memory support differs. The i7-1165G7 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in dual-channel configuration. The i5-8250U supports DDR4, and the database does not record a memory bus configuration for it. ECC memory is not supported by either processor.

The i7-1165G7 has a recorded launch MSRP of $426. The i5-8250U does not have a launch MSRP recorded in the database. The i7-1165G7 is part of the Core i7 generation with Willow Cove-U cores, and the i5-8250U is part of the Core i5 generation with Kaby Lake-U Refresh cores.

Both processors are in the mobile market segment and are manufactured by Intel. The i7-1165G7 is built on a 10 nm process, and the i5-8250U is built on a 14 nm process. The i7-1165G7 has a die size of 144 mm², and the i5-8250U has a die size of 123 mm². The i7-1165G7 is marked end-of-life, while the i5-8250U remains active in production.

The benchmark data shows a clear hierarchy. The i7-1165G7 is faster in every single test, with deltas from 23.8% to 181%. The i5-8250U is the lower-power, still-produced option with a smaller die and older architecture. The performance gap is consistent across Cinebench and PassMark suites, and the architectural differences explain why the i7-1165G7 dominates. For any user prioritizing performance, the i7-1165G7 is the data-backed choice. For users prioritizing power efficiency and ongoing availability, the i5-8250U has its place, but it is not a performance competitor.