CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1030NG7 vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 is a specialized quad-core mobile processor introduced exclusively for Apple's MacBook Air in March 2020. Built on Intel's 10nm Ice Lake architecture, it features the Sunny Cove microarchitecture, delivering notable improvements in instructions per clock. The processor comes with four cores and eight threads, operating at a 1.1 GHz base clock and boosting up to 3.5 GHz. With a 10W TDP, it is optimized for thin-and-light designs, balancing thermal constraints with reliable performance. A standout feature is the integrated Iris Plus Graphics with 64 Execution Units, offering significantly enhanced graphical capabilities over standard UHD graphics. This makes it more capable for video playback, light photo editing, and casual gaming. The chip also supports LPDDR4 memory at 3733 MT/s, ensuring high bandwidth for the integrated GPU. As an Apple-exclusive component, it was tailored to meet the specific power and thermal requirements of the 2020 MacBook Air.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very snappy for everyday macOS tasks and light Xcode compiles.
The 28W TDP allows for excellent sustained performance in office and creative tasks.
Gaming
Capable of running macOS games and older titles at 720p/1080p.
Capable of running macOS-supported games at decent settings thanks to 64 EUs.
Virtualization
Handles light VMs well, but thermal limits apply.
Handles Windows VMs via Boot Camp or Parallels reasonably well.
Efficiency
10nm process ensures excellent battery life in the MacBook Air.
Less efficient than 15W models, but Apple's chassis design managed thermals effectively.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Supports AVX-512 and DLBoost
- CPU-based AI inference is decent
- Features DL Boost 1.0
- Suitable for basic Core ML tasks on macOS
Content Creation
Gaming
- 64EU Iris Plus graphics
- Good for light Steam games on macOS
- Throttles under heavy graphical load
- 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
- 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
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 i5-1030NG7
- 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
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 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 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 i5-1030NG7 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 i5-1030NG7 or Intel Core i5-1038NG7?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1030NG7 and Intel Core i5-1038NG7.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (10 W), Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1030NG7 and Intel Core i5-1038NG7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1030NG7: Intel BGA 1044, 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 i5-1030NG7 (6,200), Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (8,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.