Intel Core i5-1145GRE

Intel Core i5-1145GRE is a 4-core, 8-thread Tiger Lake-U mobile processor with a 15 W base clock of 1.50 GHz and a 4.10 GHz boost clock, built on Intel's 10 nm process with Willow Cove cores. Its average benchmark score of 2058 places it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, indicating a squarely mid-range position in the wider market. The data shows a processor that trades raw multi-threaded throughput for strong single-core responsiveness, a profile that suits latency-sensitive mobile workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i5-1145GRE's composite average score of 2058 lands it within a hair's breadth of its nearest rivals. Against the Intel Core i7-8705G, the delta is a negligible -0.1%, meaning the two processors are effectively tied in aggregate performance. The same -0.1% delta appears against the Intel Core i3-10105T and the Intel Core i3-N300, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G trails by a marginal 0.2%. These sub-percent differences indicate that the i5-1145GRE sits in an extremely competitive cluster, where workload-specific behavior will matter more than any overall average.

Looking at Cinebench results, the multi-core scores tell a story of modest parallel throughput. In Cinebench R15, the chip scores 717 points; in R20, it reaches 2989; and in R23, it hits 7117. Scaling from R15 to R23 shows the expected generational test inflation, but the absolute values place it in the lower mid-range for modern desktop and mobile parts. The single-core scores are comparatively stronger: 101 in R15, 421 in R20, and 1004 in R23. The R23 single-core score of 1004 is notably respectable, suggesting that the 4.10 GHz boost clock delivers meaningful per-thread performance. Given the 47th percentile rank, the data indicates that roughly half of all tested CPUs outperform it on average, but the single-core results punch above that percentile.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals the i5-1145GRE's design intent. The R23 single-core score of 1004, when compared to the multi-core score of 7117, gives a ratio of approximately 7.1x for 8 threads — far from ideal scaling, which would approach 8x. This indicates that the 28 W TDP envelope and the 4-core/8-thread configuration create thermal and power constraints that limit sustained all-core boost. In contrast, the single-core R23 score benefits from the full 4.10 GHz boost on one core, which is why it holds up well against larger parts.

For real workloads, this means the i5-1145GRE excels at tasks that rely on a few fast threads: web browsing, office productivity, light code compilation, and general system responsiveness. Multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, or heavy scientific computation will see the processor fall behind parts with more cores, even those with lower per-core clocks. The 8 MB shared L3 cache helps mitigate some of the penalty in cache-sensitive multi-threaded tasks, but the physical core count of 4 is the hard limit. The data suggests that users should not expect this chip to sustain high all-core throughput for extended periods; it is a sprinter, not a marathoner.

Power and Thermals

The i5-1145GRE carries a 28 W TDP, which defines its thermal class as a low-power mobile part. This TDP is higher than typical ultra-low-voltage chips (often 15 W) but lower than standard mobile H-series processors (typically 45 W or more). For cooling, this implies a capable thin-and-light laptop heatsink or a small form-factor embedded solution — not a massive tower cooler, but not a passive heatsink either. The 10 nm process node from Intel helps keep power density in check, and the 144 mm² die size is modest, which aids in thermal dissipation across the package.

The 28 W TDP also constrains boost behavior. The base clock of 1.50 GHz is low, which is typical for a chip designed to idle efficiently and burst when needed. Under sustained all-core load, the processor will likely settle near its TDP limit, reducing clocks below the 4.10 GHz maximum. Users should plan for a cooling solution that can handle 28 W of continuous heat, which in practical terms means a dual-heatpipe cooler or a well-ventilated chassis. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units adds additional thermal load when the iGPU is active, so combined CPU+GPU workloads will stress the thermal solution further.

FAQ

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-1145GRE?

A: The launch MSRP is $362.

Q: How does the i5-1145GRE compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G in average benchmark score?

A: The i5-1145GRE has an average score of 2058, which is 0.2% higher than the Ryzen 5 3400G's 2055, making them effectively equivalent.

Q: What memory types does this processor support?

A: It supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory support enabled.

Q: What is the single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The single-core Cinebench R23 score is 1004 points.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide, and what generation?

A: The CPU provides 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), which limits direct high-bandwidth expansion.

Q: What is the socket type for this processor?

A: The socket is Intel BGA 1449, which means it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i7-8705G, the i5-1145GRE is statistically identical, with a -0.1% delta in average score (2058 vs 2061). The i7-8705G is an older Kaby Lake-G part with a discrete GPU on-package, but in pure CPU benchmarks, the two perform equivalently. This suggests that the newer Tiger Lake architecture's efficiency gains offset the i7's higher core count or clock advantages, if any existed.

The Intel Core i3-10105T matches the i5-1145GRE exactly in average score at 2061, with the same -0.1% delta. The i3-10105T is a desktop part with a higher TDP class likely, yet the i5-1145GRE's single-core boost of 4.10 GHz and newer architecture allow it to keep pace in the aggregate. The data shows that for embedded or mobile use, the i5-1145GRE offers comparable CPU performance to a budget desktop i3.

Against the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G, the i5-1145GRE leads by a negligible 0.2% (2058 vs 2055). The Ryzen 5 3400G is a 4-core/8-thread desktop APU with a stronger iGPU, but in CPU-only benchmarks, the two are inseparable. This is notable because the 3400G runs at a much higher TDP, so the i5-1145GRE achieves similar CPU performance at a fraction of the power budget.

The Intel Core i3-N300 is the final rival, again at 2061 average score with a -0.2% delta from the i5-1145GRE's perspective. The i3-N300 is a newer Alder Lake-N part with efficiency cores, and despite its different architecture, it lands in the same performance band. The i5-1145GRE's Willow Cove cores provide higher single-thread performance, but the N300's multi-core design compensates in the average.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Core i5-1145GRE uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable package designed for embedded and mobile systems. This means the processor is permanently attached to the motherboard, and any upgrade requires a full board replacement. The Tiger Lake-U platform supports dual-channel DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, with ECC memory support — a key feature for embedded, industrial, and edge-computing applications where data integrity is critical.

For expansion, the CPU provides only 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). This is a limited allocation, sufficient for a single NVMe SSD or a low-bandwidth add-in card, but not for multiple high-throughput devices. The integrated graphics, Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, handles display output and basic GPU acceleration, reducing the need for a discrete GPU. The platform also includes the 8 MB shared L3 cache and per-core L1 (80 KB) and L2 (1.25 MB) caches, which are standard for the Willow Cove architecture.

The production status is active, and the release date is September 1, 2020, placing it in the early Tiger Lake generation. The part number is SRK10, and the process node is 10 nm from Intel's foundry. For upgrade path, the BGA 1449 socket offers no CPU upgrades, so buyers must select the appropriate configuration at purchase time. The platform's memory support and PCIe Gen 4 capability are forward-looking for 2020, but the 4-lane limit is the primary constraint for storage and expansion. ECC memory support is a differentiator that broadens its appeal in reliability-focused deployments.