Quick Verdict
A custom 28W Intel chip that provided excellent sustained performance for Apple's 2020 MacBooks, though it was quickly overshadowed by Apple Silicon.
Overview
Launch
May 4th, 2020
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
Core i5 (Sunny Cove-U)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 is a specialized mobile processor introduced in May 2020 as an Apple-exclusive variant of the Ice Lake-U family. Built on Intel's 10nm process and utilizing the Sunny Cove microarchitecture, it features four cores and eight threads. Operating at a higher 28-watt TDP compared to standard 15W mobile chips, it delivers robust performance for thin-and-light laptops. With a base clock of 2.0 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 3.8 GHz, it offers snappy single-threaded performance. The processor integrates Intel Iris Plus graphics with 64 execution units, providing excellent graphical capabilities for a mobile chip of its era. It supports dual-channel LPDDR4 memory up to 3733 MT/s and includes native Thunderbolt 3 support. Designed specifically for Apple's MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Pro models, it represents a unique collaboration, offering a step up in sustained performance over standard ultra-low voltage Intel processors.
The Core i5-1038NG7 was custom-designed for Apple's 2020 MacBooks. By increasing the TDP to 28 watts, it achieved higher base clocks and sustained performance than standard 15W Ice Lake chips. Combined with 64-EU Iris Plus graphics, it offered a solid experience for everyday tasks and light creative work.
However, its life was short, as Apple transitioned to its own M1 silicon shortly after.
Specifications
Performance
The 28W TDP allows for excellent sustained performance in office and creative tasks.
Handles Windows VMs via Boot Camp or Parallels reasonably well.
Capable of running macOS-supported games at decent settings thanks to 64 EUs.
Less efficient than 15W models, but Apple's chassis design managed thermals effectively.
- •64 EUs provide decent graphical horsepower
- •Limited by the macOS game library
- •Can run older titles smoothly via Boot Camp
- •Features DL Boost 1.0
- •Suitable for basic Core ML tasks on macOS
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Ice Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
28 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-1038NG7 leverages the Sunny Cove microarchitecture, which marked a significant departure from Intel's previous Skylake iterations by widening execution pipelines and improving branch prediction. This resulted in noticeable instruction-per-clock gains. Manufactured on Intel's 10nm lithography, the die integrates four physical cores with Hyper-Threading, handling up to eight concurrent threads. A standout feature is the Gen 11 Iris Plus graphics, equipped with 64 execution units, offering substantial graphical throughput for integrated graphics, capable of driving high-resolution displays and handling moderate graphical workloads. Unlike standard mobile chips capped at 15 watts, the 1038NG7 operates at a 28-watt TDP, allowing for higher sustained clock speeds and better thermal headroom within Apple's thermal designs. The memory controller supports LPDDR4X at 3733 MT/s, ensuring ample bandwidth. Furthermore, the architecture integrates native PCIe Gen 3 lanes and Thunderbolt 3 controllers, crucial for Apple's I/O-centric laptop designs.
CPU Design
4 cores and 8 threads optimized for a 28W power envelope.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel LPDDR4X-3733.
PCIe & I/O
Integrated PCIe Gen 3 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier; strictly limited to Apple's firmware configurations.
- Significant IPC and graphics upgrade over 8210Y
- Higher 28W TDP for better sustained performance
- Native Thunderbolt 3 integration
Key Highlights
- Strong sustained performance for a mobile chip
- Iris Plus graphics with 64 EUs
- Native Thunderbolt 3 support
- Good base clock of 2.0 GHz
- Supports Boot Camp for Windows compatibility
- End-of-life platform
- Outperformed by Apple M1 in almost every metric
- Soldered and restricted to Apple hardware
- Thermal throttling occurs in the thin MacBook Air chassis
History
The Core i5-1038NG7 launched in May 2020, exclusively within Apple's MacBook ecosystem, specifically powering the 2020 MacBook Air and the lower-tier 13-inch MacBook Pro. This chip emerged during the final stages of the Intel-Apple partnership, just before Apple's historic transition to its own Apple Silicon (M1) later that year. The 'NG' in its nomenclature denoted its custom nature for Apple.
Operating at 28 watts rather than the typical 15 watts of standard Ice Lake-U chips, it was tailored to provide better sustained performance within the thermal constraints of Apple's thin aluminum unibody designs. It represented a peak in Intel's customization efforts for Apple, attempting to bridge the gap between ultra-portable efficiency and professional capability. However, its tenure was short-lived, as it was quickly overshadowed by the superior performance and efficiency of Apple's M1 chip, marking the beginning of the end for Intel processors in mainstream Macs.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Significant IPC and graphics upgrade over 8210Y
- Higher 28W TDP for better sustained performance
- Native Thunderbolt 3 integration
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a used 2020 Intel MacBook for specific Boot Camp needs or budget constraints.
Avoid if…
- You want the best battery life and performance (buy an M1 Mac)
- You are doing heavy video editing
- You want future-proof macOS updates
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was an Apple-exclusive processor, denoted by the 'NG' suffix.
It operates at a 28-watt TDP, higher than standard 15W Ice Lake-U chips.
It powered the 2020 Intel-based MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
It features Iris Plus graphics with 64 execution units.
It was released in May 2020, just months before the Apple M1 announcement.
The chip uses Intel's 10nm Sunny Cove architecture.
It has a base clock of 2.0 GHz, significantly higher than its 15W counterparts.
It supports LPDDR4X memory at 3733 MT/s.
It was one of the last custom Intel processors used in Apple laptops.
It features native Thunderbolt 3 integration.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-1038NG7 better than the M1?
No, the Apple M1 chip significantly outperforms it in both efficiency and speed.
Can I run Boot Camp on an i5-1038NG7 Mac?
Yes, since it is an Intel-based Mac, it fully supports Boot Camp and Windows.
What is the difference between i5-1038NG7 and i5-1035G7?
The 1038NG7 has a higher 28W TDP and 2.0 GHz base clock, compared to the 15W and 1.2 GHz of the 1035G7.
Does the i5-1038NG7 support Windows 11?
While the chip supports it, official Windows 11 on Mac via Boot Camp depends on Apple's driver support.
Is the i5-1038NG7 good for video editing?
It can handle basic to intermediate 4K editing, but will thermal throttle under heavy loads.
What generation is the i5-1038NG7?
It is a 10th Generation Intel Core processor.
Does it support PCIe Gen 4?
No, it supports PCIe Gen 3.
How many cores does the i5-1038NG7 have?
It has 4 cores and 8 threads.
Was the i5-1038NG7 used in any Windows laptops?
No, it was exclusively manufactured for Apple devices.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices use the Core i5-1038NG7?
It is an Apple-exclusive chip used in the 2020 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
What is the TDP of the i5-1038NG7?
It has a higher-than-standard TDP of 28 watts.
What graphics does the i5-1038NG7 have?
It features Intel Iris Plus Graphics with 64 execution units.
Can the i5-1038NG7 be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the base clock speed?
The base clock speed is 2.0 GHz.
What is the max turbo frequency?
It can turbo boost up to 3.8 GHz.
Does it support Thunderbolt 3?
Yes, it natively supports Thunderbolt 3.
What memory does it support?
It supports LPDDR4X memory up to 3733 MT/s.
Is the i5-1038NG7 good for gaming?
It can handle light games but is not designed for heavy gaming.
What process node is it built on?
It is built on Intel's 10nm process.