CPU Comparison

Intel Core i3-1115G4E vs Core i7-1185G7E

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-1115G4E is a 2-core, 4-thread embedded mobile processor featuring Willow Cove architecture, UHD Graphics G4 (48EU), and an IPU 6.0, designed for industrial edge computing and embedded visual systems.

Intel · Core i3
Intel Core i3-1115G4E
2C / 4T3.9 GHz15 W
6.5
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Core i7-1185G7E
4C / 8T4.4 GHz15 W
8.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile (Embedded)
Embedded
Segment
Mobile (Embedded)
Embedded
Generation
11th Gen (Tiger Lake)
11th Generation Core i7
Launched
2020
2020
Status
Active
Active
Codename
Tiger Lake-U (Embedded)
Tiger Lake-U
Series
Core i3
Core i7
Family
Tiger Lake-U
11th Gen
Predecessor
Intel Core i3-10110UE (approx)
Intel Core i7-8665UE
Successor
Intel Core i3-12115UE (approx)
Intel Core i7-1370PE

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
2
4
Threads
4
8
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
1.8 GHz
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.4 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
12 MB
TDP
15 W
15 W
Architecture
Architecture
Tiger Lake-U (Willow Cove)
Willow Cove
Process Node
10nm
10nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4, LPDDR4X
DDR4, LPDDR4X
Memory Speed
DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-3733
DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
BGA 1449
BGA 1449
PCIe Version
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
4
4
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i3-1115G4E50

Handles the UI and logic for single-purpose embedded systems well, but not suited for general productivity.

Core i7-1185G7EBest80

Snappy single-thread performance handles specific industrial applications efficiently.

Gaming

Intel Core i3-1115G4E0

Not designed or intended for gaming applications.

Core i7-1185G7EBest65

Not intended for gaming, but Iris Xe can handle basic visualization loads easily.

Virtualization

Intel Core i3-1115G4E20

Two cores are insufficient for meaningful virtualization in embedded environments.

Core i7-1185G7EBest65

Adequate for lightweight edge virtualization tasks.

Efficiency

Intel Core i3-1115G4E86

Highly efficient for always-on industrial environments, especially when power-capped at 12 W.

Core i7-1185G7EBest95

15W TDP ensures excellent performance per watt for embedded devices.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i3-1115G4EAdequate
  • The IPU 6.0 is specifically designed to accelerate edge vision and AI inference workloads
  • Lacks the NPU power of modern dedicated edge AI chips but is sufficient for basic classification tasks
Core i7-1185G7EGood
  • DLBoost accelerates AI tasks
  • IPU 6.0 not present on this specific SKU
  • Suitable for edge AI inference

Content Creation

Intel Core i3-1115G4ENot Applicable
Core i7-1185G7EGood
Industrial VisualizationLocal Media DecodingEdge Rendering

Gaming

Intel Core i3-1115G4ENot Applicable
  • This is an embedded processor, gaming performance is not a relevant metric
Core i7-1185G7EN/A
  • Not targeted at gaming
  • Graphics capable of basic 3D rendering
  • Dependent on memory configuration

Industry Impact

Gaming
None
None
Workstations
Low
Low
Content Creation
None
Low
Virtualization
None
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Machine Vision Inspection
Good
Edge AI Inference
Adequate
Good
Industrial Digital Signage
Excellent
Smart Kiosks
Very Good
Industrial Control UI
Good
Medical Imaging
Excellent
Digital Signage
Excellent
Industrial Control
Excellent
Retail Kiosks
Excellent

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Targeted
Workstation Users
Targeted
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i3-1115G4E

Pros

  • IPU 6.0 provides dedicated hardware acceleration for edge vision tasks
  • Embedded validation ensures long-term availability and reliability
  • Configurable TDP down to 12 W for fanless industrial designs
  • Low 2-core power draw is ideal for compact edge devices
  • UHD G4 48EU graphics handle multi-display signage well

Cons

  • Only 2 physical cores limit general compute performance
  • Restricted to 4 PCIe lanes, limiting expansion options
  • Not available through consumer retail channels
  • No DDR5 support
  • High launch price of $285 for a 2-core chip reflects embedded margins
Core i7-1185G7E

Pros

  • 15-year extended lifecycle support
  • Low 15W base TDP
  • Excellent single-thread performance
  • Iris Xe 96EU graphics
  • 10nm SuperFin efficiency

Cons

  • Only 4 cores
  • Low base clock (1.8 GHz)
  • Limited PCIe lanes (4x)
  • Not suitable for consumer builds

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i3-1115G4E

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3250UE

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD Ryzen 5 5500UE

    Performance Embedded

    Rival
  • Intel N100

    Low-Power Embedded

    Rival
  • NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano

    Edge AI

    Rival
  • Qualcomm QCS6490

    ARM Edge

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-1135G7E
    Alt

    A higher-end embedded Tiger Lake option with 4 cores for more demanding industrial applications.

  • AMD Ryzen R1606G
    Alt

    An alternative embedded APU for ruggedized industrial PCs.

Core i7-1185G7E

  • AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718E

    Embedded

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-10700TE

    Embedded

    Rival
  • AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544

    Embedded

    Rival
  • Intel Atom x6425E

    Embedded

    Rival
  • NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano

    Edge AI

    Rival
  • Lower cost embedded alternative.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546
    Alt

    More cores for edge workloads.

  • Intel Core i7-1185G7
    Alt

    Consumer version with higher base TDP.

  • Intel Xeon D-2700
    Alt

    Server-class edge features.

Our Verdict on Each

A specialized embedded processor that trades standard PCIe lanes and core count for industrial features like the IPU 6.0 and long-term availability, targeting specific edge AI and vision use cases.

Best for: The i3-1115G4E is strictly a business-to-business component purchased by OEMs and system integrators through Intel's embedded channels. You should specify this processor if you are designing an industrial edge device that requires the IPU 6.0 for machine vision, needs guaranteed 7+ year component availability, and operates in an environment where a 12W to 28W power envelope is mandatory. Do not buy this for a consumer laptop or desktop build, as it lacks the PCIe lanes and core count for general computing, and it cannot be purchased through normal retail channels anyway.

Read the full review
Core i7-1185G7ERecommended

An excellent embedded processor combining 10nm efficiency, strong single-thread performance, and long-term availability for critical infrastructure.

Best for: Designing medical, retail, or industrial equipment requiring long-term availability.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i3-1115G4E or Core i7-1185G7E?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1185G7E 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 i3-1115G4E or Core i7-1185G7E?

For gaming, the Core i7-1185G7E leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i3-1115G4E and Core i7-1185G7E.

Do Intel Core i3-1115G4E and Core i7-1185G7E use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the BGA 1449 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which has more cores?

The Core i7-1185G7E has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i3-1115G4E (2 cores), Core i7-1185G7E (4 cores).

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-1185G7E posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i3-1115G4E (4,600), Core i7-1185G7E (5,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.