The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a 10nm mobile processor from Intel's 11th Generation, built on the Willow Cove-U architecture. It brings a solid quad-core, eight-thread design to the thin-and-light and mainstream gaming laptop segment. With a base clock of 1.5GHz and a strong single-core turbo up to 4.2GHz, the I5-1135G is engineered for responsive everyday tasks and solid gaming performance where high frequency matters. Its 15W TDP makes it a common choice for portable systems that need to balance battery life with capability, offering a significant generational leap in integrated graphics performance over its predecessors.
In performance benchmarks, the I5-1135G shows its strengths in both single and multi-threaded workloads. It scores 9,512 points in PassMark's multithreaded test, while its high turbo clock is reflected in strong integer math (31,814 points) and floating-point math (19,221 points) results. For gaming, this translates to good CPU-bound frame rates in many popular titles, especially when paired with dedicated graphics. The processor's 8MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed game data readily available, reducing latency. Overall, the I5-1135G delivers reliable performance for a mid-range mobile chip.
When considering competitive positioning, the I5-1135G often faced off against AMD's Ryzen 5 5000U series mobile chips. Its key advantages lie in excellent single-thread performance and the strong Iris Xe integrated graphics, which was a notable step up for Intel at its release. For gamers, this meant better playable performance in lighter titles without a discrete GPU. In systems with a dedicated GPU, the CPU provides a competent foundation that won't severely bottleneck mid-range mobile graphics cards. Choosing a laptop with the I5-1135G meant securing a well-rounded processor for both productivity and play.
For your next build or laptop purchase, consider the I5-1135G as a capable foundation for a portable gaming and productivity system. Here are key recommendations:
- Prioritize laptops that pair this CPU with at least a GeForce GTX 1650 or RTX 3050 mobile GPU to unlock its best gaming potential.
- Ensure the system has dual-channel RAM (preferably 16GB) to maximize the performance of the Iris Xe integrated graphics.
- Look for robust cooling solutions, as sustained turbo performance depends heavily on thermal headroom.
- Target configurations with fast NVMe SSD storage to avoid bottlenecks in game loading and system responsiveness.
- Consider it for gaming-centric ultrabooks where its 15W TDP enables thinner designs without a massive performance sacrifice.