CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1030G4 vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7
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.
The 28W TDP allows for excellent sustained performance in office and creative tasks.
Gaming
Iris Plus graphics allow for light gaming at 720p, a big step up from UHD.
Capable of running macOS-supported games at decent settings thanks to 64 EUs.
Virtualization
AVX-512 support is nice, but low clocks limit VM performance.
Handles Windows VMs via Boot Camp or Parallels reasonably well.
Efficiency
10nm node provides excellent performance per watt.
Less efficient than 15W models, but Apple's chassis design managed thermals effectively.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Supports AVX-512 for AI workloads
- DLBoost accelerates inference
- Features DL Boost 1.0
- Suitable for basic Core ML tasks on macOS
Content Creation
Gaming
- Gen 11 Iris Plus graphics
- Can play older titles at 720p
- Thermal limits restrict sustained GPU boost
- 64 EUs provide decent graphical horsepower
- Limited by the macOS game library
- Can run older titles smoothly via Boot Camp
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
- Strong sustained performance for a mobile chip
- Iris Plus graphics with 64 EUs
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support
- Good base clock of 2.0 GHz
- Supports Boot Camp for Windows compatibility
Cons
- End-of-life platform
- Outperformed by Apple M1 in almost every metric
- Soldered and restricted to Apple hardware
- Thermal throttling occurs in the thin MacBook Air chassis
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 i5-1038NG7
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1035G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1065G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
Modern Windows alternative with superior multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Strong mobile alternative for Windows laptops.
- Alt
Modern Apple alternative for much better performance.
Compare head-to-head Higher tier Apple Intel alternative if sticking to 2020 MacBooks.
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 28W Intel chip that provided excellent sustained performance for Apple's 2020 MacBooks, though it was quickly overshadowed by Apple Silicon.
Best for: Purchasing a used 2020 Intel MacBook for specific Boot Camp needs or budget constraints.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1030G4 or Intel Core i5-1038NG7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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 i5-1038NG7?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1030G4 and Intel Core i5-1038NG7.
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 i5-1038NG7 (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1030G4 and Intel Core i5-1038NG7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1030G4: Intel BGA 1377, Intel Core i5-1038NG7: Intel BGA 1344), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1030G4 (5,800), Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.