CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Core i7-1185G7
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highly capable processor for everyday productivity, media consumption, and light creative workloads, though it has been superseded by Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake series.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.
Excellent single-core performance makes everyday tasks and moderate multitasking extremely responsive.
Gaming
Iris Xe 80EU performs well in older titles and esports at 1080p Low settings.
Capable of playing e-sports titles and older games at 1080p, but struggles with AAA titles at high settings.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but 4 cores limit parallel virtualization.
Adequate for light virtualization, but 4 cores limit running multiple heavy VMs.
Efficiency
Good power efficiency, though surpassed by newer 10nm and TSMC nodes.
10nm process provides excellent performance per watt for ultrabook form factors.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Intel DL Boost for INT8
- GNA 2.0 for audio AI
- No dedicated NPU
- Features DLBoost for AI inference
- Suitable for light edge AI tasks
- No dedicated NPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is capable but bottlenecked by 4 cores
- Performance depends heavily on dual-channel memory
- Supports modern graphics APIs
- Iris Xe 96EU is a major upgrade
- Dependent on system memory configuration
- Not suitable for high-end gaming
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-thread performance
- Integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics
- 10nm SuperFin efficiency
- PCIe 4.0 support
- vPro enterprise features
Cons
- Only 4 cores limits multi-threading
- End-of-life status
- Limited PCIe lanes (4x)
- Locked multiplier
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 i7-1185G7
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Better value for similar daily performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
More cores for multi-threaded workloads.
Newer architecture with more cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5825UAlt
Superior integrated graphics and cores.
- Alt
Better efficiency and single-thread speed.
Compare head-to-head
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 highly capable 4-core mobile processor that brought significant single-thread and integrated graphics improvements to the ultrabook market.
Best for: Buying a used or refurbished premium ultrabook.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1155G7 or Core i7-1185G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1185G7 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i7-1185G7?
For gaming, the Core i7-1185G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Core i7-1185G7.
Do Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Core i7-1185G7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1155G7: Intel BGA 1449, Core i7-1185G7: BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-1185G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-1155G7 (0), Core i7-1185G7 (6,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.