Quick Verdict
A highly efficient variant of Tiger Lake optimized for premium tablets, offering slightly lower clocks but more PCIe lanes than the 1135G7.
Overview
Launch
Sep 2nd, 2020
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Gen (Tiger Lake-U)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor launched in September 2020. Built on the 10nm SuperFIN process, it utilizes the Willow Cove microarchitecture. Designed for ultra-thin and fanless laptops, it operates at a low 1.1 GHz base clock and boosts up to 4.0 GHz within a 15W TDP. It features Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units and notably offers 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, doubling the connectivity of the 1135G7.
The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is part of the 11th Gen Tiger Lake family, optimized for the thinnest and lightest form factors. With 4 cores and 8 threads, it operates on a 15W TDP but features a lower base clock of 1.1 GHz to maintain thermals in fanless designs.
It boosts up to 4.0 GHz and includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units. A unique feature is the inclusion of 16 PCIe 4.
0 lanes, offering greater expansion capability than the standard 1135G7. It also features a slightly larger L1 cache of 96 KB per core.
Specifications
Performance
Snappy performance for everyday tasks, though sustained loads are limited by thermals.
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Capable of playing e-sports titles, though slightly slower than the 1135G7 due to lower boost clocks.
Outstanding power efficiency due to the low base clock and 10nm process.
- •Iris Xe 80EU allows for smooth e-sports gaming.
- •Performance may throttle in fanless designs.
- •Not suitable for modern AAA gaming at high settings.
- •DLBoost and GNA 2.0 provide solid AI acceleration for background blur and noise cancellation.
Architecture
10 nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
15 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-1130G7 leverages the Willow Cove microarchitecture on the 10nm SuperFIN process. It is tailored for premium tablets and convertibles where thermal headroom is severely limited, featuring a lower base clock to ensure silent operation.
CPU Design
The 4 cores and 8 threads feature an enhanced 96 KB L1 cache per core. It also includes 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and an 8 MB shared L3 cache.
Memory Subsystem
The memory controller supports high-speed DDR4 up to 4266 MT/s, delivering substantial bandwidth to the integrated Iris Xe G7 graphics.
PCIe & I/O
Unlike the 1135G7 which offers 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, the 1130G7 provides 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, allowing for more flexible system integration for multiple NVMe SSDs.
Overclocking
The multiplier is locked, prioritizing power efficiency and thermal stability over raw performance.
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (up from 0)
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics (massive upgrade)
- Enhanced L1 and L2 cache structure
Key Highlights
- Excellent power efficiency for fanless designs
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for expanded connectivity
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- Enhanced 96 KB L1 cache per core
- Strong single-core performance when boosting
- Lower base clock limits sustained multi-thread performance
- Soldered onto the motherboard (BGA 1598)
- Limited to 4 cores
- Often paired with expensive premium tablets
History
The Core i5-1130G7 was launched alongside the rest of the Tiger Lake-U family as a niche part aimed at premium tablets and ultra-thin convertibles. While the 1135G7 became the volume seller for standard ultrabooks, the 1130G7 was deployed in devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. Its lower base clock of 1.
1 GHz allowed it to fit into tighter thermal envelopes, ensuring silent, fanless operation. The inclusion of 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes was an interesting departure from the standard 4 lanes, likely intended to provide OEMs with greater flexibility for high-speed storage arrays in premium mobile devices.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (up from 0)
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics (massive upgrade)
- Enhanced L1 and L2 cache structure
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a premium 2-in-1 tablet like the Surface Pro 8.
Avoid if…
- Need maximum sustained performance for heavy workloads
- Buying a standard clamshell laptop (1135G7 is better)
- Wanting 8+ cores
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-1130G7 uses the BGA 1598 package, differing from the 1135G7's BGA 1449.
It features 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, double that of the 1135G7.
The base clock is only 1.1 GHz, optimized for ultra-low power consumption.
It features 96 KB of L1 cache per core, slightly more than the 80 KB on the 1135G7.
It was notably used in the Microsoft Surface Pro 8.
The integrated graphics are the same Iris Xe G7 with 80 Execution Units.
It supports DDR4 memory up to 4266 MT/s.
The Tcase max is rated at 72°C.
It is part of the Willow Cove-U family.
The production status is listed as Active.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-1130G7 good for gaming?
Yes, for light 1080p gaming and e-sports titles, thanks to Iris Xe graphics, though thermals may limit performance.
What is the difference between i5-1130G7 and i5-1135G7?
The 1130G7 has a lower base clock, 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (vs 4), and 96 KB L1 cache (vs 80 KB).
Can the i5-1130G7 be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the TDP of the i5-1130G7?
The base TDP is 15W.
Does the i5-1130G7 support DDR5?
No, it supports DDR4 memory up to 4266 MT/s.
What is the max turbo of the i5-1130G7?
The maximum turbo frequency is 4.0 GHz.
How many PCIe lanes does the i5-1130G7 have?
It has 16 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Is the i5-1130G7 good for video editing?
It is capable of basic 1080p video editing, aided by Intel QuickSync.
What socket does the i5-1130G7 use?
It uses the Intel BGA 1598 socket.
Does the i5-1130G7 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it has Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock of the i5-1130G7?
The base clock is 1.1 GHz.
Can I upgrade this CPU in my laptop?
No, it is soldered to the motherboard using the BGA 1598 package.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has an 8 MB shared L3 cache.
Does it support AVX-512?
Yes, it supports AVX-512 instructions.
Is it good for programming?
Yes, its single-core performance is excellent for coding and web development.
What memory speed does it support?
It supports DDR4 up to 4266 MT/s.
Does it support Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, the Tiger Lake platform supports Thunderbolt 4.
What is the max operating temperature?
The maximum junction temperature (TJ Max) is 100°C.
Is it good for 4K video?
It can decode and play 4K video smoothly, but editing 4K video will be slow.
Does it support Wi-Fi 6?
Yes, the Tiger Lake platform supports Wi-Fi 6.