CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) vs Core i7-1160G7
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.
Snappy burst performance handles everyday tasks easily.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles at 1080p thanks to Iris Xe graphics.
Good for casual gaming, but thermal throttling in fanless designs limits sustained performance.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Low power limits make running VMs difficult.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency, further enhanced by IPU offloading camera tasks.
Top-tier efficiency; designed for maximum battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration.
- IPU 6.0 accelerates AI-based camera features.
- GNA for audio AI
- Low power limits restrict heavy AI 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.
- Great for 2D and e-sports titles
- Will throttle in heavy 3D loads due to fanless chassis
- Iris Xe provides surprising capability at 7W
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
- Incredible power efficiency
- Allows for completely silent, fanless designs
- Retains 96 EU Iris Xe graphics
- Excellent burst performance for daily tasks
- Ultra-thin package size
Cons
- Very low base clock (1.2 GHz)
- Will throttle quickly under sustained load without a fan
- Limited to LPDDR4X memory
- Expensive and niche market positioning
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.
Core i7-1160G7
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Microsoft SQ2Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1130G7Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
12th Gen offers better efficiency and more cores in the 9W bracket.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
More multi-core performance if you can accept active cooling.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Higher base clocks if you have active cooling.
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 remarkably efficient 10nm chip that brings high-end integrated graphics to completely silent, fanless form factors.
Best for: Buying a used premium fanless tablet like the Surface Pro X alternative or Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) or Core i7-1160G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1160G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.6/10. 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 Core i7-1160G7?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) and Core i7-1160G7.
Do Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) and Core i7-1160G7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU): Intel BGA 1449, Core i7-1160G7: Intel BGA 1598), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-1160G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (IPU) (0), Core i7-1160G7 (4,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.