CPU Comparison
Core i7-1160G7 vs Core i7-1185GRE
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-1160G7 is an ultra-low power mobile processor designed for the thinnest and lightest computing devices, including premium tablets and fanless ultrabooks. Launched in September 2020, it is built on the 10nm SuperFin process and utilizes the Willow Cove architecture. Featuring 4 cores and 8 threads, it operates with a low base frequency of 1.2 GHz to conserve power, while capable of boosting up to 4.4 GHz for burst performance. What sets this chip apart is its extremely low configurable TDP, scaling down to just 7W, enabling completely fanless designs without compromising on snappy responsiveness. It integrates the powerful Iris Xe Graphics with 96 Execution Units, a remarkable feat for a 7W chip, allowing for smooth 4K media playback and casual gaming. The processor exclusively supports LPDDR4X-4267 memory to minimize power footprint and supports 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes for fast storage. The i7-1160G7 represents the pinnacle of Intel's efficiency engineering for the Tiger Lake generation.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy burst performance handles everyday tasks easily.
Strong single-core performance for edge processing tasks.
Gaming
Good for casual gaming, but thermal throttling in fanless designs limits sustained performance.
Not intended for gaming, but Iris Xe handles it adequately if required.
Virtualization
Low power limits make running VMs difficult.
vPro and ECC make it excellent for lightweight edge virtualization.
Efficiency
Top-tier efficiency; designed for maximum battery life.
10nm SuperFin ensures reliable 24/7 operation within 15W.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- GNA for audio AI
- Low power limits restrict heavy AI inference
- DL Boost for edge AI inference
- GNA for low-power audio processing
Content Creation
Gaming
- Great for 2D and e-sports titles
- Will throttle in heavy 3D loads due to fanless chassis
- Iris Xe provides surprising capability at 7W
- Not targeted at gamers
- Graphics capable of driving industrial displays
- Can run 2D applications flawlessly
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Incredible power efficiency
- Allows for completely silent, fanless designs
- Retains 96 EU Iris Xe graphics
- Excellent burst performance for daily tasks
- Ultra-thin package size
Cons
- Very low base clock (1.2 GHz)
- Will throttle quickly under sustained load without a fan
- Limited to LPDDR4X memory
- Expensive and niche market positioning
Pros
- Supports ECC memory for data integrity
- Long-term embedded lifecycle guarantee
- vPro Enterprise for remote management
- 96 EU Iris Xe graphics for machine vision
- Flexible 12W-28W configurable TDP
Cons
- Overkill and expensive for consumer use
- BGA soldered, requiring custom board design
- Only 4 cores limits heavy multi-threaded edge tasks
- Niche availability through industrial channels
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-1160G7
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Microsoft SQ2Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1130G7Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Mobile
12th Gen offers better efficiency and more cores in the 9W bracket.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
More multi-core performance if you can accept active cooling.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Higher base clocks if you have active cooling.
Core i7-1185GRE
- AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748ARival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
- Intel Xeon E-2386GRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544ARival
Embedded
- NXP i.MX 8M PlusRival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-1270PEAlt
Newer 12th Gen embedded with better efficiency and more cores.
- Intel Core i7-1085GREAlt
Older 10th Gen embedded alternative if Tiger Lake is unavailable.
- Intel Atom x6425REAlt
Lower power, cheaper alternative for light IoT tasks.
Our Verdict on Each
A remarkably efficient 10nm chip that brings high-end integrated graphics to completely silent, fanless form factors.
Best for: Buying a used premium fanless tablet like the Surface Pro X alternative or Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
Read the full reviewA highly reliable, embedded-grade processor that combines Tiger Lake performance with ECC memory and long-term availability for critical systems.
Best for: System integrators designing IoT devices, medical equipment, or industrial PCs requiring ECC and long-term supply.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-1160G7 or Core i7-1185GRE?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1185GRE comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. 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, Core i7-1160G7 or Core i7-1185GRE?
For gaming, the Core i7-1185GRE leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Core i7-1160G7 and Core i7-1185GRE.
Do Core i7-1160G7 and Core i7-1185GRE use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-1160G7: Intel BGA 1598, Core i7-1185GRE: Intel BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-1185GRE posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-1160G7 (4,000), Core i7-1185GRE (4,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.