Intel Core i7-1160G7 vs Intel Core i7-1185GRE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly lopsided comparison between these two Tiger Lake-U mobile processors. Across every recorded test, the Intel Core i7-1160G7 finishes ahead of the Intel Core i7-1185GRE, securing victories in all six head-to-head benchmarks. The margin is remarkably consistent, hovering around 9.6% to 9.7% in favor of the 1160G7 in every single test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 1160G7 scores 740 against the 1185GRE's 668, a delta of -9.7% from the perspective of the 1185GRE. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 104 for the 1160G7 versus 94 for the 1185GRE, again a 9.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3084 and 2786 respectively, while single-core lands at 435 versus 393. The 9.7% deficit repeats across both metrics.

Cinebench R23, often considered the more demanding of the rendering workloads, shows the 1160G7 at 7343 multi-core and 1036 single-core. The 1185GRE trails with 6635 and 936. The percentage difference remains fixed at approximately 9.6% to 9.7% regardless of workload type or thread count. This consistency suggests a fundamental clock or power delivery advantage for the 1160G7, not a workload-specific quirk.

The only benchmark where the 1185GRE has a recorded score but the 1160G7 does not is Geekbench. Here the 1185GRE posts 4060 multi-core and 1848 single-core. Since the 1160G7 lacks a Geekbench entry in the database, no direct comparison can be made for that specific test. However, the pattern from Cinebench strongly implies the 1160G7 would hold a similar advantage if measured.

The average benchmark score tells a broader story. The 1185GRE averages 2178 across its recorded tests, while the 1160G7 averages 2124. This is interesting: despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test, the 1185GRE has a higher average score because its Geekbench results are included in that average, while the 1160G7's average is computed only from the Cinebench suite. This highlights how different benchmark mixes can shift the overall picture.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1160G7 wins every head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database. Its six wins cover both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads across three different Cinebench versions. This makes it the clear choice for rendering tasks, CPU-bound productivity, and any application that scales with raw core performance.

The Intel Core i7-1185GRE, despite losing all six direct comparisons, still holds a niche. Its Geekbench results are the only data points where it has a recorded advantage, though not against the 1160G7 directly. The 1185GRE also supports ECC memory, a feature the 1160G7 lacks. For systems requiring error-correcting memory, the 1185GRE is the only option between the two. Additionally, the 1185GRE supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the 1160G7 is limited to LPDDR4X only.

The 1185GRE also carries a higher launch MSRP of $490, compared to the 1160G7's $426. Its production status remains active, while the 1160G7 has reached end-of-life. For long-term availability and supply chain stability, the 1185GRE is the safer procurement choice.

In terms of raw performance per benchmark, the 1160G7 is the undisputed winner. The 1185GRE's advantages are entirely in features and lifecycle, not in measured speed.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Tiger Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process at the same foundry. Both use the Willow Cove-U core generation and feature four cores with eight threads. The die size is identical at 144 mm², and both integrate Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units.

The cache hierarchy is also identical. Each core gets 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2, with a shared 12 MB L3 cache. Memory support differs: the 1185GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the 1160G7 supports only LPDDR4X. The 1160G7 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the 1185GRE's bandwidth is not listed in the database.

ECC memory is a key differentiator. The 1185GRE supports ECC, the 1160G7 does not. This makes the 1185GRE suitable for error-sensitive workloads in industrial or embedded contexts.

The sockets differ: the 1185GRE uses Intel BGA 1449, while the 1160G7 uses Intel BGA 1598. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable on the same motherboard. PCIe support is identical: Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU only.

The base clocks differ significantly. The 1185GRE runs at 1800 MHz base, while the 1160G7 sits at 1200 MHz. Both boost to 4.40 GHz. The higher base clock on the 1185GRE should theoretically give it an advantage in sustained workloads, yet the benchmark data shows the opposite. The 1160G7 outperforms despite the lower base clock, which suggests the boost behavior or power management differs in practice.

Both parts have a 15 W TDP and are not multiplier-unlocked. The 1185GRE is marked as part number SRK0Y, the 1160G7 as SRK0E. Both launched on the same date: September 1, 2020.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1160G7 is the faster processor in every measured test. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7343 is 10.7% higher than the 1185GRE's 6635. The single-core advantage is similar, with 1036 against 936. Across all six head-to-head tests, the 1160G7 wins with a consistent 9.6% to 9.7% margin.

For users who prioritize raw performance in rendering, encoding, or CPU-heavy productivity, the 1160G7 is the clear choice. Its end-of-life status and LPDDR4X-only memory support are the trade-offs.

The 1185GRE is the pick when ECC memory is a requirement. No amount of benchmark advantage can substitute for error correction in memory-sensitive applications. Its active production status also matters for organizations planning long product lifecycles. The higher base clock of 1800 MHz versus 1200 MHz may also help in scenarios where the boost cannot be sustained, though the recorded benchmarks do not reflect such an advantage.

The 1185GRE's Geekbench scores, while not directly comparable, indicate it is not a weak processor in general terms. Its percentile rank of 47 places it just above the 1160G7's rank of 46 among all CPUs. The average benchmark score of 2178 for the 1185GRE is also higher than the 1160G7's 2124, driven by the inclusion of Geekbench results.

In practical terms, the 1160G7 is the performance winner for almost all consumer and mainstream mobile workloads. The 1185GRE is a specialized part for industrial, embedded, or data-integrity-focused deployments where ECC support and ongoing availability outweigh a 9.7% benchmark deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-1160G7 scores 7343, while the Intel Core i7-1185GRE scores 6635. The 1160G7 leads by 9.6%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-1185GRE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the 1185GRE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-1160G7 does not support ECC.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The 1185GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The 1160G7 supports only LPDDR4X, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use Tiger Lake-U architecture with Willow Cove-U cores on Intel's 10 nm process. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE has a launch MSRP of $490. The Intel Core i7-1160G7 has a launch MSRP of $426.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE has a base clock of 1800 MHz, while the Intel Core i7-1160G7 has a base clock of 1200 MHz. Both boost to 4.40 GHz.