CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10400H vs Core i7-1165G7
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10400H is a 10th generation mobile processor tailored for mainstream gaming laptops and portable workstations. Launched in April 2020, it belongs to the Comet Lake-H family and is built on Intel's 14nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, delivering reliable multi-threaded performance for its segment. The base clock speed is 2.6 GHz, which can boost up to 4.6 GHz under load, offering strong single-core performance for gaming. With a 45W TDP, it strikes a balance between power and thermal output, fitting well in mid-range laptop designs. It includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2933 MT/s. Like other H-series chips, it includes basic integrated graphics but is intended to be paired with a dedicated GPU. Its 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes ensure sufficient bandwidth for mobile graphics and fast storage solutions.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores hold it back in heavy multi-threaded productivity apps.
Snappy application launch and multitasking due to high single-core boost.
Gaming
Performs slightly better than 10300H due to higher clocks, good for 1080p.
Capable of playing modern titles at 1080p medium settings thanks to Iris Xe.
Virtualization
Basic VM support, but limited by core count.
Adequate for light VMs, but limited by 4 cores.
Efficiency
Standard 14nm mobile efficiency, gets warm under load.
Excellent idle power and load efficiency on the 10nm node.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- CPU-based inference is basic.
- DL Boost for low-power AI inference
- GNA for background noise cancellation
Content Creation
Gaming
- Higher clock speeds give a slight edge over the 10300H.
- Good pairing for GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 2060 mobile.
- Bottlenecks can occur in modern CPU-heavy games.
- Excellent for an iGPU
- Requires dual-channel memory for best results
- Can play CS:GO and Valorant easily
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Higher clock speeds than 10300H
- Good single-core performance
- Supports DDR4-2933
- Reliable for eSports and older AAA games
Cons
- Still only 4 cores
- Soldered and non-upgradable
- 14nm process is not power efficient
- Outclassed by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H
Pros
- Excellent single-core performance
- Iris Xe graphics are class-leading for integrated
- Great power efficiency
- Supports fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
- Built on Intel's 10nm process
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 8 threads
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Multi-core performance lags behind AMD's 8-core mobile chips
- Can throttle under sustained load if laptop cooling is poor
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10400H
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10300HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-10750HRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Better IPC and architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HAlt
Much faster and more efficient.
Modern hybrid architecture.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-1165G7
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600URival
Mobile
12th Gen offers better efficiency and more cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Budget-friendly with good multi-core performance.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid 4-core mobile CPU with slightly higher clocks than the 10300H, providing a small bump in performance for mainstream gaming laptops.
Best for: Buying a used mid-range gaming laptop at a discount.
Read the full reviewA landmark mobile processor that brought massive single-core and integrated graphics improvements to the ultrabook segment.
Best for: Purchasing a used or refurbished premium ultrabook for productivity and light gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10400H or Core i7-1165G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1165G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 i5-10400H or Core i7-1165G7?
For gaming, the Core i7-1165G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-10400H and Core i7-1165G7.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-1165G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-10400H (45 W), Core i7-1165G7 (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-10400H and Core i7-1165G7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10400H: BGA 1440, Core i7-1165G7: Intel BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10400H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10400H (9,500), Core i7-1165G7 (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.