CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10200H vs Core i7-1160G7
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10200H is a 10th generation mobile processor targeting budget-friendly gaming laptops. Released in September 2020, it is part of the Comet Lake-H family and is built on the 14nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, providing standard multi-tasking capabilities for entry-level gaming. The base clock is set at 2.4 GHz, with a maximum turbo boost of 4.1 GHz, making it the lowest-binned i5 in the 10th gen mobile H-series. It operates within a 45W TDP, fitting well into thinner budget laptop designs. The chip includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2933 MT/s. It integrates basic Intel UHD Graphics, but is universally paired with dedicated mobile GPUs for actual gaming. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, it provides adequate bandwidth for a discrete GPU and storage, serving as an affordable entry point into mobile gaming.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores at lower clocks limit multitasking capabilities.
Snappy burst performance handles everyday tasks easily.
Gaming
Struggles with modern CPU-heavy games, but fine for low-end eSports.
Good for casual gaming, but thermal throttling in fanless designs limits sustained performance.
Virtualization
Not recommended for virtual machines.
Low power limits make running VMs difficult.
Efficiency
14nm process is inefficient, leading to lower battery life.
Top-tier efficiency; designed for maximum battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clock speeds make CPU inference very slow.
- GNA for audio AI
- Low power limits restrict heavy AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Lowest turbo speeds in the 10th gen mobile i5 stack.
- Will bottleneck modern GPUs in CPU-bound games.
- Best suited for GTX 1650 class laptops at 1080p Medium.
- Great for 2D and e-sports titles
- Will throttle in heavy 3D loads due to fanless chassis
- Iris Xe provides surprising capability at 7W
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Found in very cheap laptops
- Good enough for basic school work
- Supports DDR4-2933
- Has 8 threads for basic multitasking
Cons
- Lowest clock speeds in the lineup
- 4 cores are outdated for modern gaming
- 14nm process runs warm
- Soldered and non-upgradable
Pros
- Incredible power efficiency
- Allows for completely silent, fanless designs
- Retains 96 EU Iris Xe graphics
- Excellent burst performance for daily tasks
- Ultra-thin package size
Cons
- Very low base clock (1.2 GHz)
- Will throttle quickly under sustained load without a fan
- Limited to LPDDR4X memory
- Expensive and niche market positioning
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10200H
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10300HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550HRival
Mobile Budget
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10400HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Better architecture and 6 cores.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HAlt
Vastly superior IPC and efficiency.
- Intel Core i3-12100HAlt
Modern 4-core with hyper-threading that beats it.
Core i7-1160G7
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Microsoft SQ2Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1130G7Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
12th Gen offers better efficiency and more cores in the 9W bracket.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
More multi-core performance if you can accept active cooling.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Higher base clocks if you have active cooling.
Our Verdict on Each
As the lowest-binned 10th gen mobile i5, it offers basic functionality for budget gaming but struggles with modern CPU demands and lacks efficiency.
Best for: Buying a used laptop for under $300 for basic eSports.
Read the full reviewA remarkably efficient 10nm chip that brings high-end integrated graphics to completely silent, fanless form factors.
Best for: Buying a used premium fanless tablet like the Surface Pro X alternative or Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10200H or Core i7-1160G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1160G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.6/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10200H or Core i7-1160G7?
For gaming, the Core i7-1160G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-10200H and Core i7-1160G7.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-1160G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-10200H (45 W), Core i7-1160G7 (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-10200H and Core i7-1160G7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10200H: BGA 1440, Core i7-1160G7: Intel BGA 1598), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10200H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10200H (8,500), Core i7-1160G7 (4,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.