CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Intel Core i5-1155G7 (IPU)
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1155G7 is a mid-cycle refresh of the 11th Gen Tiger Lake-U mobile processor lineup, released in May 2021. Built on the 10nm SuperFin process with Willow Cove architecture, it features 4 cores and 8 threads, operating at a base clock of 2.5 GHz and boosting up to 4.5 GHz. This refresh offered a slight frequency bump over the original i5-1145G7 to maintain competitiveness against AMD's Ryzen 5000 mobile series. A notable improvement in this SKU is the doubling of usable PCIe 4.0 lanes to 16, allowing OEMs to connect high-speed NVMe storage and discrete components simultaneously without bottlenecking. It integrates Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units, providing robust integrated graphics for thin-and-light laptops. With a configurable TDP of 12W to 28W, it remains a highly capable processor for everyday productivity, media consumption, and light creative workloads, though it has been superseded by Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake series.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Excellent single-thread speed makes office apps and browsing feel instant.
The 4.5 GHz boost provides excellent single-thread responsiveness for office tasks.
Gaming
Iris Xe 80EU performs well in older titles and esports at 1080p Low settings.
Iris Xe 80EU handles esports titles well, similar to other Tiger Lake SKUs.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but 4 cores limit parallel virtualization.
Capable of light VMs, but 4 cores limit heavy dev environments.
Efficiency
Good power efficiency, though surpassed by newer 10nm and TSMC nodes.
The IPU offloads camera tasks, actually saving battery life during long video calls.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel DL Boost for INT8
- GNA 2.0 for audio AI
- No dedicated NPU
- IPU 6.0 accelerates computer vision tasks
- GNA 2.0 for audio processing
- DL Boost for general AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is capable but bottlenecked by 4 cores
- Performance depends heavily on dual-channel memory
- Supports modern graphics APIs
- Performs identical to 1155G7 in gaming
- Capable of 1080p Low in esports
- Heavily dependent on system memory configuration
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes provide good expansion flexibility
- Strong single-thread performance up to 4.5 GHz
- Excellent integrated Iris Xe graphics
- Good power efficiency for battery life
- Hardware AV1 video decoding
Cons
- Only 4 cores limit multi-threaded performance
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake hybrid architecture
- Locked multiplier
- No ECC memory support
- End-of-life is approaching as newer generations dominate
Pros
- Integrated IPU 6.0 provides superior webcam quality
- High 4.5 GHz boost clock for snappy single-thread tasks
- Iris Xe-LP 80EU graphics
- Low power consumption during video calls due to hardware offload
- Configurable TDP for versatile laptop designs
Cons
- Only 4 cores limit heavy multi-threading
- Limited to 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes
- IPU is only useful if the laptop OEM implements a compatible sensor
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake in raw performance
- Soldered to the motherboard, non-upgradable
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1155G7
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Consumer Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700URival
Consumer Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Consumer Mobile
12th Gen successor with 12 cores (4P+8E) offering massive multi-core gains.
Compare head-to-headOlder but nearly identical single-thread performance if PCIe lanes aren't needed.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M1 (MacBook Air)Alt
Offers superior battery life and efficiency for basic office work.
A newer 12th Gen i3 that often matches this i5 in multi-core while being cheaper.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-1155G7 (IPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Consumer Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5GRival
Consumer Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Consumer Mobile
The standard version without the explicit IPU focus, often found in cheaper laptops.
Compare head-to-head12th Gen successor with 12 cores (4P+8E) for vastly superior multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M1 (MacBook Air)Alt
Unmatched battery life and efficiency, though different ecosystem.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Higher clocks and slightly better graphics (96EU) if CPU power is preferred over IPU.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid refresh that fixed the PCIe lane limitation of the original Tiger Lake i5. It offers great single-thread performance and integrated graphics, though 4 cores show their age in 2024.
Best for: Purchasing a discounted 2021-era laptop for standard school or office work.
Read the full reviewAn excellent choice for business professionals needing top-tier video conferencing capabilities out of the box. The IPU handles heavy camera lifting, freeing up the CPU for multitasking.
Best for: Purchasing a used premium business laptop (2021-2022) where webcam quality and battery life during calls are priorities.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1155G7 or Intel Core i5-1155G7 (IPU)?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1155G7 (IPU) comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Intel Core i5-1155G7 (IPU) use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1449 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.