CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1030G4 vs Intel Core i5-1030NG7
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1030G4 is a quad-core mobile processor belonging to Intel's 10th Generation Ice Lake lineup, specifically the Y-series for ultra-thin and fanless devices. Manufactured on Intel's 10nm process, it utilizes the new Sunny Cove architecture to deliver improved instructions per clock over previous generations. It features four cores and eight threads, with a very low base clock of 700 MHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 3.5 GHz. The 9W TDP allows for passive cooling, making it ideal for premium tablets and compact 2-in-1s. A major upgrade over Comet Lake is the integration of Gen 11 Iris Plus graphics, offering significantly better graphical performance and hardware decoding capabilities. It also supports DDR4 memory and AVX-512 instructions, enhancing its potential for light AI and compute workloads. While the low base clock limits sustained multi-threaded performance, this chip excels in bursty workloads and provides a modern feature set for portable computing.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for office tasks, but low base clock limits heavy multitasking.
Very snappy for everyday macOS tasks and light Xcode compiles.
Gaming
Iris Plus graphics allow for light gaming at 720p, a big step up from UHD.
Capable of running macOS games and older titles at 720p/1080p.
Virtualization
AVX-512 support is nice, but low clocks limit VM performance.
Handles light VMs well, but thermal limits apply.
Efficiency
10nm node provides excellent performance per watt.
10nm process ensures excellent battery life in the MacBook Air.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Supports AVX-512 for AI workloads
- DLBoost accelerates inference
- Supports AVX-512 and DLBoost
- CPU-based AI inference is decent
Content Creation
Gaming
- Gen 11 Iris Plus graphics
- Can play older titles at 720p
- Thermal limits restrict sustained GPU boost
- 64EU Iris Plus graphics
- Good for light Steam games on macOS
- Throttles under heavy graphical load
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Modern 10nm manufacturing process
- Iris Plus graphics are a huge upgrade
- Supports LPDDR4 memory
- AVX-512 instruction support
Cons
- Extremely low 700 MHz base clock
- Throttles heavily under sustained load
- Still uses PCIe 3.0
- Hard to find in mainstream devices
Pros
- Excellent integrated graphics for an Intel Mac
- Good 10nm efficiency
- Custom tuned for MacBook Air thermals
- Supports AVX-512
Cons
- Only available in a discontinued MacBook model
- Replaced quickly by the vastly superior Apple M1
- Thermal throttling under heavy loads
- Limited to 16GB of RAM in the host device
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1030G4
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1030NG7Rival
Mobile (Fanless)
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10210YRival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Apple A12Z BionicRival
Mobile (ARM)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cxRival
Mobile (ARM)
Better 11th gen efficiency and graphics.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Far superior CPU performance.
Higher sustained clocks if graphics are less important.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Better battery life and performance.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Core i3-1210YAlt
Modern hybrid architecture for fanless designs.
Intel Core i5-1030NG7
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile (ARM)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1030G4Rival
Mobile (Fanless)
- Intel Core i7-1060NG7Rival
Mobile (Custom)
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1038NG7Rival
Mobile (Custom)
- Apple M1 MacBook AirAlt
Vastly superior performance, battery life, and cooling.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800UAlt
Much faster x86 alternative for Windows.
- Apple A12X BionicAlt
Older Apple ARM chip that still competes in efficiency.
The direct successor for Windows laptops.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A significant architectural leap over Comet Lake, offering better graphics and modern features, though hampered by a very low base clock.
Best for: Buying a used premium tablet that benefits from Iris graphics.
Read the full reviewA custom Intel chip for Apple that brought excellent graphics and efficiency to the 2020 MacBook Air, though soon replaced by Apple Silicon.
Best for: Buying a used 2020 Intel MacBook Air for specific legacy macOS software.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1030G4 or Intel Core i5-1030NG7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i5-1030G4 or Intel Core i5-1030NG7?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-1030G4 and Intel Core i5-1030NG7.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1030G4 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1030G4 (9 W), Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (10 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1030G4 and Intel Core i5-1030NG7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1030G4: Intel BGA 1377, Intel Core i5-1030NG7: Intel BGA 1044), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1030G4 (5,800), Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (6,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.