CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Core i5-7440HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor launched in September 2020. Built on the 10nm SuperFIN process, it utilizes the Willow Cove microarchitecture. Designed for ultra-thin and fanless laptops, it operates at a low 1.1 GHz base clock and boosts up to 4.0 GHz within a 15W TDP. It features Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units and notably offers 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, doubling the connectivity of the 1135G7.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy performance for everyday tasks, though sustained loads are limited by thermals.
Strong single-thread performance makes it great for office tasks and general computing.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.
Performs well in eSports and older titles when paired with a dedicated mobile GPU, but bottlenecks modern AAA games.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Can handle light virtualization tasks, though lacking 8 threads limits heavy VM usage.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.
14nm process and 45W TDP are inefficient by modern standards, leading to shorter battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Low core count restricts local LLM or inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU allows for smooth e-sports gaming.
- Performance may throttle in fanless designs.
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming at high settings.
- Adequate for 1080p medium settings in older games
- 4 cores may cause stuttering in modern CPU-heavy titles
- Requires a dedicated GPU for gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency for fanless designs
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for expanded connectivity
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- Enhanced 96 KB L1 cache per core
- Strong single-core performance when boosting
Cons
- Lower base clock limits sustained multi-thread performance
- Soldered onto the motherboard (BGA 1598)
- Limited to 4 cores
- Often paired with expensive premium tablets
Pros
- Good single-core performance for its generation
- Supports both DDR4 and DDR3L memory
- Includes VT-d and vPro features
- Adequate for 1080p gaming with a dGPU
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Soldered to the motherboard, not upgradeable
- 45W TDP results in poor battery life
- Not officially supported by Windows 11
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1130G7
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1160G7Alt
Slightly higher clocked variant for premium tablets.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800UAlt
Excellent 8-core alternative for heavy multitasking.
Budget alternative with 2 cores for basic tasks.
Compare head-to-head
Core i5-7440HQ
- AMD A12-9720PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7700HQRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-7300HQRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-6300HQRival
Mobile
Modern alternative with better IPC and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HAlt
Offers 6 cores and 12 threads for vastly better multi-threading.
- Intel Core i5-8300HAlt
Direct successor offering 4 more threads.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Vastly superior modern mobile alternative with better battery life.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient variant of Tiger Lake optimized for premium tablets, offering slightly lower clocks but more PCIe lanes than the 1135G7.
Best for: Purchasing a premium 2-in-1 tablet like the Surface Pro 8.
Read the full reviewA dependable quad-core mobile CPU that offered a good balance of performance and thermals for 2017 gaming laptops, though it lacks modern multi-threading capabilities.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used laptop for basic tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1130G7 or Core i5-7440HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i5-1130G7 or Core i5-7440HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Core i5-7440HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1130G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1130G7 (15 W), Core i5-7440HQ (45 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Core i5-7440HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1130G7: Intel BGA 1598, Core i5-7440HQ: BGA1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1130G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1130G7 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.