CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Intel Core i7-1065G7

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.

Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-1130G7
4C / 8T4 GHz15 W
8
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-1065G7
4C / 8T3.9 GHz15 W
8.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
11th Gen (Tiger Lake-U)
10th Gen Core i7
Launched
2020
2019
Status
Active
Active
Codename
Tiger Lake-U
Ice Lake-U
Series
Core i5
Core i7
Family
11th Generation
Ice Lake
Predecessor
Core i5-1035G4
Intel Core i7-8565U
Successor
Core i5-1230U
Intel Core i7-1165G7

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
1.3 GHz
Boost Clock
4 GHz
3.9 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB
TDP
15 W
15 W
Architecture
Architecture
Tiger Lake (Willow Cove)
Ice Lake-U
Process Node
10 nm
10nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4
DDR4
Memory Speed
DDR4-4266
3200 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1598
Intel BGA 1526
PCIe Version
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-1130G780

Snappy performance for everyday tasks, though sustained loads are limited by thermals.

Intel Core i7-1065G780

Strong IPC ensures snappy performance in office and creative apps.

Gaming

Intel Core i5-1130G7Best70

Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.

Intel Core i7-1065G765

Iris Plus graphics allow for smooth 1080p gaming in esports titles.

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-1130G760

Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.

Intel Core i7-1065G7Best65

Capable of running light VMs, though limited to 4 cores.

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-1130G7Best95

Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.

Intel Core i7-1065G785

10nm process offers excellent performance per watt.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-1130G7Good
  • DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
Intel Core i7-1065G7Good
  • Intel DLBoost accelerates inference
  • AVX-512 support

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-1130G7Good
PhotoshopLightroomBasic Video EditingDigital Art
Intel Core i7-1065G7Very Good
PhotoshopLightroomPremiere Pro (1080p)Basic 3D Modeling

Gaming

Intel Core i5-1130G7Good
  • Iris Xe 80EU allows for smooth e-sports gaming.
  • Performance may throttle in fanless designs.
  • Not suitable for modern AAA gaming at high settings.
Intel Core i7-1065G7Good
  • Iris Plus graphics are a huge step up
  • Can run CS:GO and Overwatch smoothly
  • Still not suitable for heavy AAA gaming

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
Moderate
Workstations
Low
Low
Content Creation
Moderate
High
Virtualization
Low
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Office Productivity
Excellent
Web Browsing
Excellent
Light 1080p Gaming
Good
Tablet Applications
Excellent
Photo Editing
Very Good
Everyday Productivity
Excellent
Light Photo Editing
Very Good
Casual Gaming
Good
Media Consumption
Excellent
Software Development
Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-1130G7

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
Intel Core i7-1065G7

Pros

  • Modern 10nm Sunny Cove architecture
  • Iris Plus Graphics with 64 EUs
  • Intel DLBoost for AI
  • Good balance of performance and efficiency

Cons

  • Only 4 cores
  • Lower peak clock speeds than 14nm Comet Lake
  • Soldered to motherboard
  • First-gen 10nm process

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-1130G7

Intel Core i7-1065G7

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 review

A landmark processor that brought Intel's 10nm architecture and powerful Iris Plus graphics to mainstream laptops, offering excellent efficiency and graphical leaps.

Best for: For buyers in the current market, a laptop featuring the Core i7-1065G7 remains a viable option for everyday use, particularly in the refurbished segment. The 10nm Sunny Cove architecture ensures good battery life and the Iris Plus graphics provide decent performance for light gaming and hardware-accelerated video editing. It is highly recommended for students and office workers who need a smooth, responsive experience for multitasking and media consumption. However, its 4-core design is starting to show its age compared to modern 8-core ultra-portables. Avoid this processor if your workflow involves heavy multi-threaded rendering or if you require top-tier gaming performance. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who want a premium ultrabook experience without paying the premium price of the latest generation hardware.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-1130G7 or Intel Core i7-1065G7?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-1065G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 i5-1130G7 or Intel Core i7-1065G7?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i7-1065G7.

Do Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i7-1065G7 use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1130G7: Intel BGA 1598, Intel Core i7-1065G7: Intel BGA 1526), 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.