CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Intel Core i3-1120G4
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.
Good for bursty office tasks due to 4 cores, but the 1.1 GHz base clock means it drops to very low performance during sustained workloads.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.
The Iris Xe G4 graphics can handle light tasks, but the thermally constrained environment prevents sustained GPU frequencies.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
8 threads are nice on paper, but the thermal limits prevent running VMs effectively for any length of time.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.
Extremely efficient at idle and low loads due to the 1.1 GHz base clock, perfect for always-connected devices.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
- No dedicated IPU or NPU
- AVX-512 support present but limited by thermal constraints
- Not suited for AI 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.
- Thermal constraints prevent sustained GPU performance
- G4 tier graphics are already limited
- Not designed or marketed 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
- 4 cores provide good burst multi-threading
- 1.1 GHz base enables ultra-thin, fanless designs
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage
- Very high efficiency at low loads
- 8MB L3 cache is generous for the segment
Cons
- 1.1 GHz base clock causes severe performance drops under sustained load
- BGA 1598 socket limits motherboard and upgrade options
- No LPDDR4X support limits memory bandwidth
- 3.5 GHz boost is the lowest among 4-core Tiger Lake parts
- Lacks IPU 6.0 found on other similar-tier parts
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 i3-1120G4
- AMD Ryzen 3 5300URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250URival
Mobile
- Intel Pentium Silver N6005Rival
Mobile
Standard BGA 1449 socket with much higher clocks and IPU support for a similar core count.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
If you can accept a slightly thicker laptop, you get dramatically better sustained performance.
- Intel Core i5-1130G4Alt
Slightly higher clocks on the same BGA 1598 platform if available.
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 reviewAn unusual 4-core Tiger Lake part severely limited by its 1.1 GHz base clock and BGA 1598 socket, making it a niche OEM component rather than a general-purpose mobile processor.
Best for: Purchasing a premium ultra-thin laptop or tablet where this chip is factory-installed and you value extreme portability over performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1130G7 or Intel Core i3-1120G4?
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 i3-1120G4?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i3-1120G4.
Do Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i3-1120G4 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1130G7: Intel BGA 1598, Intel Core i3-1120G4: BGA 1598), 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.