CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1130G7 vs Intel Core i5-1240U
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 office tasks and browser tabs well, though burst limits are low.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.
Only suitable for 2D or very old 3D games at low resolutions.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Can run a light VM, but heavily constrained by the 9W power limit.
Efficiency
Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.
Exceptional efficiency, allowing for multi-day battery life in small batteries.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
- Handles basic background blur.
- Not suited for any demanding 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.
- iGPU is capped at 900 MHz to save power.
- Best for hardware video decoding and simple 2D games.
- Not suitable for 3D 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
- Exceptional 9W power efficiency
- Allows for silent, fanless designs
- 10 cores for great everyday multitasking
- Supports LPDDR5 memory
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Very low boost power limit (29W)
- iGPU clocked very low (900 MHz)
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
- Soldered to the motherboard
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 i5-1240U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5425URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1215URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1250URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Higher base power (15W) for slightly better sustained performance.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Industry-leading efficiency and performance for fanless designs.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better iGPU and higher power for standard thin-and-lights.
More threads and higher clocks if you need slightly more power.
Compare head-to-headBudget alternative for basic tasks.
Compare head-to-head
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 highly efficient 9W processor that balances 10-core multitasking with extreme battery life, perfect for the most portable form factors.
Best for: Buying an ultra-thin 2-in-1 convertible or a fanless tablet for note-taking and travel.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-1130G7 or Intel Core i5-1240U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i5-1240U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1240U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1130G7 (15 W), Intel Core i5-1240U (9 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1130G7 and Intel Core i5-1240U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1130G7: Intel BGA 1598, Intel Core i5-1240U: Intel BGA 1781), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1240U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1130G7 (4 cores), Intel Core i5-1240U (10 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.