CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Core i7-1165G7
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highly capable processor for everyday productivity, media consumption, and light creative workloads, though it has been superseded by Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake series.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.
Snappy application launch and multitasking due to high single-core boost.
Gaming
Iris Xe 80EU performs well in older titles and esports at 1080p Low settings.
Capable of playing modern titles at 1080p medium settings thanks to Iris Xe.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but 4 cores limit parallel virtualization.
Adequate for light VMs, but limited by 4 cores.
Efficiency
Good power efficiency, though surpassed by newer 10nm and TSMC nodes.
Excellent idle power and load efficiency on the 10nm node.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel DL Boost for INT8
- GNA 2.0 for audio AI
- No dedicated NPU
- DL Boost for low-power AI inference
- GNA for background noise cancellation
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is capable but bottlenecked by 4 cores
- Performance depends heavily on dual-channel memory
- Supports modern graphics APIs
- Excellent for an iGPU
- Requires dual-channel memory for best results
- Can play CS:GO and Valorant easily
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
- Excellent single-core performance
- Iris Xe graphics are class-leading for integrated
- Great power efficiency
- Supports fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
- Built on Intel's 10nm process
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 8 threads
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Multi-core performance lags behind AMD's 8-core mobile chips
- Can throttle under sustained load if laptop cooling is poor
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
Core i7-1165G7
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600URival
Mobile
12th Gen offers better efficiency and more cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Budget-friendly with good multi-core performance.
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 reviewA landmark mobile processor that brought massive single-core and integrated graphics improvements to the ultrabook segment.
Best for: Purchasing a used or refurbished premium ultrabook for productivity and light gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1155G7 or Core i7-1165G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1165G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. 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 i5-1155G7 or Core i7-1165G7?
For gaming, the Core i7-1165G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Core i7-1165G7.
Do Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Core i7-1165G7 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1449 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-1165G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1155G7 (0), Core i7-1165G7 (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.