Intel Core i5-8259U vs Intel Core i7-1160G7 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the clear winner in this head-to-head, taking all six benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-8259U. While both processors hold identical 46th percentile rankings among all CPUs, the i7-1160G7’s newer Tiger Lake architecture delivers consistent single and multi-core advantages that become more pronounced in sustained workloads. The i5-8259U is not without merit, offering a higher base clock and greater PCIe lane availability, but its older Coffee Lake design and smaller cache ultimately hold it back.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins every multi-core benchmark. It scores 740 in Cinebench R15, 3084 in R20, and 7343 in R23, compared to the i5-8259U’s 667, 2781, and 6622 respectively. The delta is a consistent 10.9% across all three tests.

Q: Is the single-core advantage as large as the multi-core gap?

A: Yes, the i7-1160G7 leads by 10.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (104 vs 94) and by 11% in R20 (435 vs 392). In R23 single-core, the lead is 10.9% (1036 vs 934).

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

A: Yes, both are 4-core, 8-thread parts. The performance difference comes from other architectural factors like process node, cache size, and clock speeds.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the i5-8259U boosts to 3.80 GHz. The i5-8259U does have a higher base clock at 2.30 GHz versus 1.20 GHz.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The i7-1160G7 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units, while the i5-8259U uses Iris Pro Plus 655. The newer Iris Xe design is part of the Tiger Lake architecture.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i7-1160G7 has an average benchmark score of 2124, while the i5-8259U scores 2108. The difference is less than 1%, which explains why both sit at the 46th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is built on Tiger Lake-U architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-8259U uses Coffee Lake-U on a 14 nm node. This process advantage allows the i7-1160G7 to achieve higher boost clocks (4.40 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) while maintaining a lower 15 W TDP compared to the i5-8259U’s 28 W.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i7-1160G7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, alongside a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The i5-8259U has smaller 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with only 6 MB of shared L3. This doubling of L3 cache is a significant factor in the i7-1160G7’s performance edge.

Memory support also differs. The i7-1160G7 supports LPDDR4X memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-8259U uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-8259U actually has higher theoretical memory bandwidth, but the i7-1160G7 compensates with better cache efficiency.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The i7-1160G7 offers Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8259U provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The older chip has more lanes, but the newer chip supports a faster generation.

The die sizes reflect the process differences: the i7-1160G7 measures 144 mm² versus 126 mm² for the i5-8259U. Both are end-of-life products, with the i7-1160G7 releasing in September 2020 and the i5-8259U in April 2018.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins in every benchmark category tested. Its advantages are most pronounced in multi-core workloads, where it maintains a 10.9% lead across all three Cinebench versions. This makes it the stronger choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and other threaded productivity tasks.

The i5-8259U does not win any benchmark, but it has certain specification advantages that could matter in specific use cases. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion capability for external devices. Its higher base clock of 2.30 GHz could theoretically offer better responsiveness in short, lightly-threaded bursts, though the i7-1160G7’s higher boost clock negates this in sustained single-threaded work.

The i5-8259U also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, which could benefit memory-sensitive applications if the cache hierarchy were not already superior on the i7-1160G7. In practice, the benchmark data shows the i7-1160G7’s architectural advantages outweigh the i5-8259U’s specification wins.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance, the i7-1160G7 is the obvious choice. The i5-8259U’s only real claim to relevance is its lower launch MSRP and potentially better PCIe expansion options.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1160G7 | Intel Core i5-8259U |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 1200 MHz | 2300 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4400 MHz | 3800 MHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Socket | BGA 1598 | BGA 1526 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB per core | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 4 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP G7 96EU | Iris Pro Plus 655 |

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2018-04-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $320 |

The i7-1160G7 has a lower base clock but higher boost clock, higher TDP efficiency, larger caches, and a newer process node. The i5-8259U counters with higher memory bandwidth and more PCIe lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a remarkably consistent performance gap. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-1160G7 scores 740 against the i5-8259U’s 667, a 10.9% advantage. The single-core test shows 104 versus 94, a 10.6% lead.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The multicore result is 3084 for the i7-1160G7 versus 2781 for the i5-8259U, again a 10.9% delta. The single-core test shows 435 versus 392, representing an 11% lead — the largest margin in any test.

Cinebench R23 completes the sweep. The multicore score is 7343 versus 6622, a 10.9% difference. The single-core result is 1036 versus 934, another 10.9% gap.

The consistency is striking. Every single benchmark shows the i7-1160G7 ahead by roughly 11%, regardless of the workload intensity. This suggests the architectural improvements — larger caches, newer process node, higher boost clock — provide a uniform performance uplift rather than benefiting only certain types of tasks.

The i5-8259U’s only additional benchmarks are Geekbench tests, where it scores 4168 multicore and 1207 singlecore. The i7-1160G7 does not have Geekbench results in this data, so no direct comparison is possible for those specific tests.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the superior processor in every measurable way within this dataset. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with a consistent 10.6–11% margin, offering meaningful performance gains in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

The i5-8259U’s advantages are limited to specifications that do not translate into benchmark victories. Its higher base clock and memory bandwidth are overshadowed by the i7-1160G7’s larger cache and newer architecture. The 28 W TDP of the i5-8259U also makes it less power-efficient than the 15 W i7-1160G7.

For users seeking maximum compute performance in a mobile form factor, the i7-1160G7 is the clear recommendation. Its 12 MB L3 cache and 10 nm process deliver results that the older 14 nm i5-8259U cannot match, despite the latter’s lower launch MSRP of $320 versus the i7-1160G7’s $426.

The i5-8259U might still appeal to users needing more PCIe lanes for expansion, as its 16 Gen 3 lanes dwarf the i7-1160G7’s 4 Gen 4 lanes. However, for pure CPU-bound workloads, the benchmark data is unambiguous: the i7-1160G7 wins by a wide and consistent margin. Both processors sit at the 46th percentile, but the i7-1160G7’s average benchmark score of 2124 edges out the i5-8259U’s 2108, confirming its status as the better-performing chip.