CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) vs Intel Core i5-1235U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) is a specialized variant of the Tiger Lake mobile processor, featuring an integrated Image Processing Unit (IPU) 6.0. Sharing the same 4-core, 8-thread Willow Cove architecture on the 10nm process, it operates at a 15W TDP with boost clocks up to 4.2 GHz. The IPU 6.0 accelerates camera-related workloads, enabling AI-driven background blurring, gaze correction, and high-quality low-light video conferencing without taxing the CPU cores.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy performance for everyday office tasks and multitasking.
Handles office tasks and heavy browser tabs effortlessly.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles at 1080p thanks to Iris Xe graphics.
Only suitable for very light or older 2D games.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Can run a light VM, but core count is low for heavy dev work.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency, further enhanced by IPU offloading camera tasks.
Top-tier efficiency, allowing for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration.
- IPU 6.0 accelerates AI-based camera features.
- Handles background blur and basic audio enhancement.
- Not suited for AI development or inference.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU allows for smooth e-sports gaming.
- Performance scales heavily with dual-channel memory.
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming at high settings.
- Iris Xe 80EU is sufficient for hardware video decoding.
- Not recommended for 3D gaming.
- Can handle Minecraft or CS:GO at low settings.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- IPU 6.0 saves CPU cycles during video calls
- Excellent single-core performance
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- Great power efficiency
- Supports fast LPDDR4X-4267 memory
Cons
- Only beneficial if the laptop uses a MIPI camera interface
- Limited to 4 cores
- Soldered onto the motherboard
- Replaced quickly by 12th Gen mobile chips
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency (15W base TDP)
- 10 cores provide great multitasking
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Good single-core burst performance
- Hardware AV1 decoding
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy workloads
- Basic integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to the motherboard
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1130G7Rival
Mobile
Standard version offers the same performance if IPU isn't needed.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Offers higher clock speeds and 96 EUs for better graphics.
- Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Alt
ARM-based alternative for extreme battery life.
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Newer generation with RDNA2 graphics and 8 cores.
Intel Core i5-1235U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1255URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Even lower power (9W) for longer battery life in thinner designs.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you need more multi-core power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better integrated graphics for light gaming.
- Alt
Superior efficiency and battery life in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An excellent ultrabook chip that offloads camera processing to dedicated hardware, saving battery life during long video calls.
Best for: Buying a premium business laptop where video call quality is paramount.
Read the full reviewA highly efficient 15W processor that brings 10-core hybrid architecture to mainstream laptops, offering excellent battery life and solid daily performance.
Best for: Buying a thin-and-light laptop for school, office work, or general everyday use.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) or Intel Core i5-1235U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) 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 i5-1135G7 (IPU) or Intel Core i5-1235U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) and Intel Core i5-1235U.
Do Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) and Intel Core i5-1235U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU): Intel BGA 1449, Intel Core i5-1235U: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) (4 cores), Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.