CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1135G7 vs Intel Core i7-4950HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 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 thin-and-light laptops, it operates at a 15W TDP with a base clock of 1.5 GHz and a turbo boost up to 4.2 GHz. It features the highly capable Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units, bringing significant gaming and media improvements to the ultrabook segment.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy performance for everyday office tasks and multitasking.
Handles everyday tasks well, but slow by modern standards.
Gaming
Capable of playing e-sports titles and older games at 1080p thanks to Iris Xe graphics.
Competent for 2013 games, but struggles with modern titles.
Virtualization
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Adequate for basic VM usage.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency due to the 10nm SuperFIN process.
High TDP and 22nm process result in poor battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
- Lacks modern AI acceleration
- Slow compute times
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 Pro eDRAM helps textures
- Unlocked multiplier allows slight performance tuning
- Not for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single-core performance
- Massive leap in integrated graphics (Iris Xe 80EU)
- Great power efficiency
- Supports fast LPDDR4X-4267 memory
- Includes PCIe 4.0 for fast storage
Cons
- Limited to 4 cores
- Integrated graphics still weaker than entry-level discrete GPUs
- Soldered onto the motherboard (BGA package)
- Replaced quickly by 12th Gen P-series and U-series
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier (rare for mobile)
- Iris Pro 5200 with eDRAM
- Solid multi-threaded performance for its era
Cons
- Very poor efficiency by modern standards
- End-of-life
- Soldered to motherboard
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1135G7
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1035G1Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Provides better multi-core performance with 6 cores.
Budget alternative with 2 cores for basic office tasks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5800UAlt
Excellent 8-core alternative for heavy multitasking.
Newer 12th gen alternative with more cores and better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-4950HQ
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4700HQRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3632QMRival
Mobile
- Apple A7Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700UAlt
Massive leap in efficiency and multi-core performance.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Modern single-core speeds and superior integrated graphics.
- Alt
Industry-leading performance per watt.
Compare head-to-head Better battery life and modern feature set.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Affordable modern alternative with 6 cores.
Our Verdict on Each
A breakthrough mobile chip that brought console-like integrated graphics to thin-and-light laptops, though limited to 4 cores.
Best for: Buying a mid-range ultrabook for everyday use and light gaming.
Read the full reviewAn important step forward for mobile integrated graphics, offering unique overclocking potential, but now obsolete.
Best for: Purchasing a used laptop at a rock-bottom price. Buying advice for the Core i7-4950HQ today suggests avoiding significant investment. While it was a formidable processor in its prime, modern applications and operating systems demand greater efficiency and newer instruction sets. If you encounter a used laptop featuring this chip at a very low price, it can still serve adequately for web browsing, office tasks, and media playback. However, its 47-watt TDP and older 22nm process mean it will run warmer and consume more power than modern equivalents. For gaming or content creation, its integrated graphics, while historically significant, no longer meet modern baseline requirements. Save your budget for a newer system that offers better longevity.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1135G7 or Intel Core i7-4950HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 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 or Intel Core i7-4950HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-1135G7 and Intel Core i7-4950HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (15 W), Intel Core i7-4950HQ (47 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1135G7 and Intel Core i7-4950HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1135G7: Intel BGA 1449, Intel Core i7-4950HQ: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-4950HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (0), Intel Core i7-4950HQ (8,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.