Intel Core i7-1068NG7 vs Intel Core i7-1185GRE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data presents an unusually clear split: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 wins every Cinebench comparison in the head-to-head set, while the Intel Core i7-1185GRE counters with a Geekbench result that the older part never posted. Across six Cinebench tests, the 1068NG7 leads by margins between 17.0% and 17.8%, a remarkably consistent advantage that holds in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The 1068NG7's dominance is most pronounced in multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7810 against 6635 for the 1185GRE, a 17.7% gap. The same pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (3280 vs 2786, 17.7% delta) and R15 multi-core (787 vs 668, 17.8% delta). These are not marginal differences; they indicate a sustained performance lead in heavily threaded workloads.

Single-core results tell the same story. The 1068NG7 leads by 17.0% in R15 single-core (110 vs 94), 17.6% in R20 single-core (462 vs 393), and 17.7% in R23 single-core (1102 vs 936). The consistency of these deltas, all hovering near 17-18%, suggests a fundamental clock or architecture efficiency gap rather than workload-specific quirks.

The 1185GRE does claim one unique dataset entry: it has a Geekbench multi-core score of 4060 and a single-core score of 1848. Since the 1068NG7 has no Geekbench results recorded, the database cannot confirm a head-to-head win in that suite. This means the newer Tiger Lake part holds a qualitative edge in a modern cross-platform benchmark, but with no comparable data for the older chip, the advantage remains unquantified.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use distinct microarchitectures. The 1068NG7 is built on Ice Lake, specifically the Sunny Cove-U core design, while the 1185GRE uses Tiger Lake with the Willow Cove-U core. Both are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process, but the die sizes differ: the 1068NG7 measures 123 mm², while the 1185GRE is larger at 144 mm².

Core and thread counts are identical: both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The cache hierarchies, however, diverge significantly. The 1068NG7 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The 1185GRE offers more per-core L1 at 80 KB, a substantially larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The newer part's larger caches could benefit working sets that fit within them, though the benchmark data does not isolate cache-sensitive workloads.

Clock speeds also differ. The 1068NG7 has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The 1185GRE lists a base clock of 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz) and a higher boost of 4.40 GHz. The older part's higher base clock likely explains its consistent Cinebench wins, since sustained multi-core loads benefit from higher baseline frequencies. The newer part's boost advantage matters only in short, lightly threaded bursts.

Thermal design power separates them sharply: the 1068NG7 is rated at 28 W, while the 1185GRE draws only 15 W. This makes the 1185GRE the more power-efficient option on paper, and its lower TDP aligns with the embedded and ruggedized market segment implied by its "GRE" suffix. The 1068NG7's higher TDP gives it more thermal headroom for sustained performance, which shows in the multi-core benchmarks.

Memory support differs as well. The 1068NG7 supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 1185GRE supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. The 1185GRE adds ECC memory support, a feature absent on the 1068NG7.

PCIe capabilities are a notable generation leap. The 1068NG7 uses PCIe Gen 3, while the 1185GRE offers PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes available to the CPU. Integrated graphics also advance: the 1068NG7 pairs with Iris Plus, while the 1185GRE includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The sockets differ (BGA 1344 vs BGA 1449), confirming they are not drop-in interchangeable.

Production status separates them further. The 1068NG7 is listed as end-of-life, while the 1185GRE remains active. Release dates reflect this: the 1068NG7 launched on 2019-07-31, the 1185GRE on 2020-09-01.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward choice for raw Cinebench performance: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 wins every recorded head-to-head test by a margin near 17.5%. If the workload is CPU rendering, video encoding, or any task that scales across cores, the 1068NG7 delivers meaningfully higher scores. Its 28 W TDP and higher base clock of 2.30 GHz appear to be the deciding factors, as sustained multi-core loads benefit from the higher baseline frequency.

The 1185GRE is the better selection when power efficiency and platform features matter more than raw compute. Its 15 W TDP is nearly half the 1068NG7's, making it suitable for thermally constrained designs. It also supports ECC memory, which the older part lacks, and includes PCIe Gen 4 connectivity. Its larger L2 and L3 caches (1.25 MB per core and 12 MB shared, respectively) provide more on-die storage, which may help in cache-sensitive workloads that Cinebench does not capture.

For users who prioritize the highest Cinebench scores regardless of power, the 1068NG7 is the clear winner from the database. For those building systems where power draw, ECC support, or modern PCIe lanes are critical, the 1185GRE justifies its existence despite losing every direct benchmark comparison. The 1185GRE also carries a Geekbench result (4060 multi-core, 1848 single-core) that offers a different performance perspective, though no comparable data exists for the 1068NG7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 boosts to 4.10 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the 1068NG7 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The 1068NG7 scores 7810 versus 6635 for the 1185GRE, a 17.7% advantage.

Q: Does the 1185GRE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the 1185GRE supports ECC memory. The 1068NG7 does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The 1068NG7 has a 28 W TDP, while the 1185GRE has a 15 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The 1185GRE has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 8 MB on the 1068NG7.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: The 1068NG7 is end-of-life, while the 1185GRE is listed as active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 1068NG7 wins with deltas ranging from 17.0% to 17.8%. In multi-core tests, the margins are nearly identical: 17.8% in R15 (787 vs 668), 17.7% in R20 (3280 vs 2786), and 17.7% in R23 (7810 vs 6635). This consistency suggests the 1068NG7's higher base clock of 2.30 GHz provides a steady advantage in sustained multi-threaded loads, where the 1185GRE's lower 1.80 GHz base clock holds it back despite its 4.40 GHz boost ceiling.

Single-core results mirror the multi-core pattern. The 1068NG7 leads R15 single-core by 17.0% (110 vs 94), R20 single-core by 17.6% (462 vs 393), and R23 single-core by 17.7% (1102 vs 936). The slightly larger delta in R15 single-core reflects its shorter workload, where the 1185GRE's boost clock has less time to make up for its lower base frequency.

The 1185GRE's only recorded benchmark wins come from the Geekbench suite, where it posts 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core. With no Geekbench results for the 1068NG7, the database cannot compute a delta for these tests. This absence of comparative data means the newer part's Geekbench scores stand alone, offering a perspective on modern workload performance that Cinebench does not provide.

In terms of overall standing, both processors sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The 1068NG7 has an average benchmark score of 2259, placing it near the Intel Core i3-10305 (2264, 0.2% slower), Intel Core i5-9400 (2254, 0.2% faster), Intel Core i7-10710U (2248, 0.5% faster), and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, 0.6% faster). The 1185GRE averages 2178, close to the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE (2175, 0.2% faster), Intel Core i5-1145G7E (2174, 0.2% faster), Intel Core i5-7640X (2167, 0.5% faster), and Intel Core i7-5950HQ (2158, 1% faster).

The 3.7% gap in average scores (2259 vs 2178) between the two parts aligns with the Cinebench deltas, reinforcing that the 1068NG7 is the stronger performer in the recorded benchmark suite. The 1185GRE's lower TDP and modern feature set, however, make it a viable alternative for power-sensitive designs, even if the raw compute numbers favor its older sibling.