CPU Comparison
Core i7-1160G7 vs Intel Core i7-1260U
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.
Great for bursty office tasks like email and documents, but slows down under heavy continuous loads.
Gaming
Good for casual gaming, but thermal throttling in fanless designs limits sustained performance.
Very limited gaming performance due to the 9W TDP. Only suitable for basic 2D games and old software.
Virtualization
Low power limits make running VMs difficult.
Not recommended for VMs. The low power and core count will result in severe sluggishness.
Efficiency
Top-tier efficiency; designed for maximum battery life.
Industry-leading efficiency for x86 laptops, often providing 15+ hours of battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- GNA for audio AI
- Low power limits restrict heavy AI inference
- Low power limits restrict AI workloads
- No dedicated NPU
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
- Severely limited by 9W thermal envelope
- Suitable only for retro or 2D indie games
- Throttles quickly under 3D load
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
- Incredible 9W power efficiency
- Enables fanless, silent designs
- Excellent single-core burst performance
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Very light on battery drain
Cons
- Very low sustained multi-core performance
- Only 2 P-cores
- Soldered BGA 1781 socket
- Limited to 29W turbo power
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
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.
Intel Core i7-1260U
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
Essentially identical 9W performance, often used interchangeably by OEMs.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-1230UAlt
A more budget-friendly 9W option with similar efficiency.
Offers better performance in a 15W envelope if you don't need a fanless design.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M2 MacBook AirAlt
Superior performance-per-watt in a fanless chassis.
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640UAlt
Excellent efficiency with significantly better performance.
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 reviewAn excellent 9W processor for silent, fanless laptops, though its strict power limits mean it lags behind 15W chips in sustained workloads.
Best for: Buying a premium 2-in-1 tablet or fanless laptop where silence and weight are the primary concerns.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-1160G7 or Intel Core i7-1260U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1160G7 comes out ahead with a score of 8.6/10. 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 Intel Core i7-1260U?
For gaming, the Core i7-1160G7 leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Core i7-1160G7 and Intel Core i7-1260U.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-1160G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i7-1160G7 (15 W), Intel Core i7-1260U (29 W).
Do Core i7-1160G7 and Intel Core i7-1260U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-1160G7: Intel BGA 1598, Intel Core i7-1260U: Intel BGA 1781), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-1260U has the most cores. Core counts: Core i7-1160G7 (4 cores), Intel Core i7-1260U (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-1160G7 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-1160G7 (4,000), Intel Core i7-1260U (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.