CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Intel Core i3-1115G4
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.
Handles word processing and spreadsheets effortlessly, but heavily multitasked office environments will expose the 2-core limitation.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.
The Iris Xe iGPU can handle older or 2D indie games at low settings, but modern AAA titles are unplayable.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
2 cores and 4 threads are insufficient for running anything beyond a single, very lightweight virtual machine.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.
The configurable 12W-28W TDP range allows OEMs to tune it for excellent battery life in thin chassis designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
- No dedicated NPU
- AVX-512 provides some acceleration for specific vector math workloads
- Not intended for AI development or inference
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.
- Lacks the core count and GPU power for modern gaming
- Can manage basic e-sports titles like League of Legends at 720p/1080p low
- Memory bandwidth limitations heavily cap iGPU performance
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
- High 4.1 GHz boost clock for snappy single-thread tasks
- Modern Iris Xe-LP integrated graphics
- Low 15W TDP enables thin, quiet laptops
- AVX-512 instruction set support
- Efficient 10nm SuperFin manufacturing process
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads severely limit multitasking
- 6MB L3 cache is small for modern workloads
- Only 4 direct CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes
- No DDR5 or LPDDR5 support
- BGA package prevents any upgrades
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
Intel Core i3-1115G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2Rival
Mobile
- MediaTek Kompanio 500TRival
Mobile
Offers 4 cores and 8 threads, doubling the multitasking capability with only a small power increase.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Provides 6 Zen 2 cores and 12 threads, vastly superior multi-core performance.
12th-gen successor featuring 2 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores for much better background task handling.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M1 (base)Alt
Far superior performance per watt and unmatched battery life in a similar power class.
- AMD Ryzen 3 5400UAlt
6 cores at a competitive price point, offering much better long-term usability.
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 capable entry-level mobile processor for basic tasks, hindered by its 2-core limit but benefiting from strong single-core speeds and a modern iGPU architecture.
Best for: Purchasing a highly discounted budget laptop for basic school or office work where no heavy multitasking is required.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1130G7 or Intel Core i3-1115G4?
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 Intel Core i3-1115G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i3-1115G4.
Do Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i3-1115G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1130G7: Intel BGA 1598, Intel Core i3-1115G4: BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1130G7 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1130G7 (4 cores), Intel Core i3-1115G4 (2 cores).
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.