Intel Core i7-1185GRE vs Intel Core i7-5775C Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5775C and Intel Core i7-1185GRE are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they represent dramatically different eras and design goals for Intel. The 5775C is a desktop part from the Broadwell generation, while the 1185GRE is a low-power mobile processor from Tiger Lake. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the newer 1185GRE dominates Cinebench tests, while the older 5775C claims a decisive victory in Geekbench multi-core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the Geekbench multi-core score. Here, the Intel Core i7-5775C scores 4989, while the Intel Core i7-1185GRE manages only 4060. This represents a 22.9% advantage for the older desktop chip. This is the only benchmark win for the 5775C out of the eight comparisons, but it is a substantial one. The single-core Geekbench test tells a completely different story, with the 1185GRE scoring 1848 against the 5775C's 1441, a 22% difference in favor of the mobile processor.

In the Cinebench suite, the 1185GRE wins every single test, though by remarkably consistent and narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 1185GRE scores 668 versus 660 for the 5775C, a delta of -1.2%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 94 for the 1185GRE against 93 for the 5775C, a 1.1% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2786 for the 1185GRE and 2750 for the 5775C, a 1.3% gap. The R20 single-core test also shows a 1.3% difference, with scores of 393 and 388 respectively.

The Cinebench R23 results continue this trend. The 1185GRE posts a multi-core score of 6635, while the 5775C scores 6549, again a 1.3% delta. In R23 single-core, the 1185GRE scores 936 against 924 for the 5775C, also a 1.3% difference. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 1185GRE's advantage is consistently in the 1.1–1.3% range, indicating a small but reliable performance lead in this workload. The wins tally is 7 for the 1185GRE and 1 for the 5775C.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests a clear workload-based split. The Intel Core i7-1185GRE is the winner in all Cinebench tests, which are heavily threaded rendering workloads. Its multi-core scores of 668 (R15), 2786 (R20), and 6635 (R23) all edge out the 5775C's respective 660, 2750, and 6549. It also wins every single-core Cinebench test, suggesting a general efficiency in this specific benchmark application. The 1185GRE's single-core Geekbench score of 1848 is also far superior to the 5775C's 1441, indicating a significant advantage in lightly-threaded, frequency-sensitive tasks.

The Intel Core i7-5775C's lone win is the Geekbench multi-core test, where it scores 4989 versus 4060. This test likely exercises the memory subsystem and cache hierarchy in a way that favors the desktop chip's design. The 5775C benefits from a 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, while the 1185GRE's memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. The 5775C also has a larger L2 cache per core at 256 KB, although the 1185GRE has a much larger L3 cache. The 5775C's 22.9% margin in this test is its only standout performance, but it is a substantial one that cannot be ignored.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i7-5775C uses the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell, and is part of the Core i7 (Broadwell) generation. It is fabricated on a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i7-1185GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, codenamed Tiger Lake-U, and is part of the Core i7 (Willow Cove-U) generation. It uses a 10 nm process node. This process difference is significant, as the 10 nm node is a newer manufacturing technology.

The cache configurations differ substantially. The 5775C has an L1 cache of 64 KB per core, an L2 cache of 256 KB per core, and an L3 cache of 6 MB shared. The 1185GRE has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, a much larger L2 cache of 1.25 MB per core, and a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The die size also differs, with the 5775C measuring 182 mm² and the 1185GRE measuring 144 mm² despite having significantly more cache. The integrated graphics are different as well: the 5775C features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the 1185GRE has Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU.

The memory support is a major architectural differentiator. The 5775C supports only DDR3 memory, while the 1185GRE supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The 5775C has a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the 1185GRE's bandwidth is not specified. The 1185GRE supports ECC memory, while the 5775C does not. The PCIe support also differs: the 5775C has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 1185GRE has PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences beyond the architectural ones. The base clock speeds are dramatically different. The 5775C has a base clock of 3.30 GHz, while the 1185GRE has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz). However, the boost clocks tell a different story: the 5775C boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the 1185GRE boosts to 4.40 GHz. This higher boost clock is a major factor in the 1185GRE's single-core performance advantage.

The thermal design power (TDP) is a stark contrast. The 5775C has a TDP of 65 watts, while the 1185GRE has a TDP of just 15 watts. This makes the 1185GRE an ultra-low-power part, suitable for fanless or passively cooled mobile designs, while the 5775C requires more substantial desktop cooling. The sockets are incompatible: the 5775C uses Intel Socket 1150, while the 1185GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. The 5775C is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, while the 1185GRE is a mobile part with a locked multiplier.

The memory bus is dual-channel for both. The 5775C has a launch MSRP of $366, while the 1185GRE has a launch MSRP of $490. The release dates are also far apart: the 5775C was released on 2015-05-14, while the 1185GRE was released on 2020-09-01. The part numbers are SR2AG for the 5775C and SRK0Y for the 1185GRE. Both are listed as active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5775C has a higher average benchmark score of 2224, compared to 2178 for the Intel Core i7-1185GRE. The 5775C's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-8559U with an average score of 2225, while the 1185GRE's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE with a score of 2175.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-5775C has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i7-1185GRE has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the 1185GRE a 15-watt part, suitable for mobile or low-power applications, while the 5775C is a 65-watt desktop chip.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-5775C does not. The 1185GRE also supports a wider range of memory types, including DDR4 and LPDDR4X, whereas the 5775C is limited to DDR3.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE scores 6635 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-5775C scores 6549. This gives the 1185GRE a 1.3% advantage in this specific test.

Q: What is the cache size difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE has a larger cache configuration, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i7-5775C has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core i7-5775C's boost clock of 3.70 GHz. This contributes to the 1185GRE's advantage in single-core benchmarks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two processors designed for different purposes. The Intel Core i7-1185GRE is the better choice for users whose workloads resemble Cinebench. It wins all six Cinebench tests, including both multi-core and single-core variants. Its higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz and larger L3 cache of 12 MB are likely contributors to its consistent, if narrow, 1.1–1.3% lead across these tests. Its single-core Geekbench score of 1848 is also 22% higher than the 5775C's 1441, making it the superior option for tasks that rely on a single thread.

The Intel Core i7-5775C, however, has a specific strength that cannot be overlooked. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 4989 is 22.9% higher than the 1185GRE's 4060. For workloads that stress the entire system in the manner of that benchmark, the 5775C is the clear winner. Its higher TDP of 65 watts and dual-channel DDR3 memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth may be factors in this result.

For a mobile or low-power system, the 1185GRE is the only logical choice, given its 15-watt TDP and BGA 1449 socket. For a desktop system where power consumption is less of a concern, the 5775C offers a compelling alternative in specific multi-core scenarios. The 1185GRE is the more versatile performer across the majority of tests, but the 5775C's decisive Geekbench multi-core victory means the choice depends entirely on which benchmark best represents the target workload. The data shows that the newer 10 nm process and higher boost clock of the 1185GRE give it a broad advantage, but the older 14 nm desktop chip retains a niche where it is significantly faster.