Quick Verdict
A breakthrough mobile chip that brought console-like integrated graphics to thin-and-light laptops, though limited to 4 cores.
Overview
Launch
Sep 2nd, 2020
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
11th Gen (Tiger Lake-U)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 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 thin-and-light laptops, it operates at a 15W TDP with a base clock of 1.5 GHz and a turbo boost up to 4.2 GHz. It features the highly capable Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units, bringing significant gaming and media improvements to the ultrabook segment.
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a cornerstone of the 11th Gen Tiger Lake mobile lineup. Featuring 4 cores and 8 threads, it operates on a 15W TDP, making it ideal for thin-and-light laptops. The standout feature is the integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units, which offers a massive leap in graphical performance over previous generations.
Built on the 10nm SuperFIN process, it achieves high single-core speeds up to 4.2 GHz. It also supports LPDDR4X-4267 and 4 PCIe 4.
0 lanes, ensuring snappy system responsiveness.
Specifications
Performance
Snappy performance for everyday office tasks and multitasking.
Can handle light virtualization but is limited by 4 cores.
Capable of playing e-sports titles and older games at 1080p thanks to Iris Xe graphics.
Excellent power efficiency due to the 10nm SuperFIN process.
- •Iris Xe 80EU allows for smooth e-sports gaming.
- •Performance scales heavily with dual-channel memory.
- •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
Tiger Lake represents Intel's successful deployment of the 10nm SuperFIN process. The Willow Cove microarchitecture brings redesigned cache structures and improved power delivery, enabling higher clock speeds and better efficiency than Ice Lake.
CPU Design
The 4 cores and 8 threads feature 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and an 8 MB shared L3 cache, ensuring low latency and high throughput for typical laptop workloads.
Memory Subsystem
The memory controller supports both DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-4267, providing high bandwidth which is crucial for maximizing the performance of the integrated Iris Xe graphics.
PCIe & I/O
Includes 4 lanes of PCIe 4.0, primarily intended for connecting high-speed NVMe SSDs directly to the CPU for lightning-fast storage performance.
Overclocking
The multiplier is locked, but Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology allows the system to dynamically adjust power limits based on thermal headroom.
- Massive graphics upgrade (UHD to Iris Xe 80EU)
- Significantly higher boost clocks (4.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz)
- PCIe 4.0 support
Key Highlights
- Excellent single-core performance
- Massive leap in integrated graphics (Iris Xe 80EU)
- Great power efficiency
- Supports fast LPDDR4X-4267 memory
- Includes PCIe 4.0 for fast storage
- Limited to 4 cores
- Integrated graphics still weaker than entry-level discrete GPUs
- Soldered onto the motherboard (BGA package)
- Replaced quickly by 12th Gen P-series and U-series
History
The Core i5-1135G7 was released in September 2020 as part of Intel's Tiger Lake lineup. It arrived at a time when AMD's Ryzen 4000 mobile series was dominating the market with high core counts. Intel shifted the focus towards single-thread performance, power efficiency, and integrated graphics.
The introduction of the 10nm SuperFIN process was a major milestone, proving Intel could manufacture high-performance mobile chips at scale. The i5-1135G7 became the standard-bearer for mid-range ultrabooks, offering a balance of price and performance. It powered popular devices like the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo Yoga, solidifying Intel's presence in the premium laptop market despite AMD's core count advantage.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Massive graphics upgrade (UHD to Iris Xe 80EU)
- Significantly higher boost clocks (4.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz)
- PCIe 4.0 support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a mid-range ultrabook for everyday use and light gaming.
Avoid if…
- Need 8+ cores for heavy video rendering
- Looking for a workstation laptop
- Wanting DDR5 memory support
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-1135G7 was one of the first chips to feature Intel's Xe graphics architecture.
It utilizes the 10nm SuperFIN process, a major milestone for Intel's manufacturing.
It features a configurable TDP-up of 28W for performance laptops.
The PL2 power limit can reach up to 52W for short bursts.
It includes 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, much larger than previous generations.
The integrated Iris Xe graphics feature 80 Execution Units.
It supports only 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes, meant specifically for the main NVMe SSD.
The chip is soldered to the motherboard using the FCBGA1449 package.
It introduced Intel's Deep Learning Boost (DLBoost) to the mainstream mobile segment.
It was widely adopted in popular laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo Yoga.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-1135G7 good for gaming?
Yes, for light 1080p gaming and e-sports titles, thanks to the Iris Xe 80EU graphics.
Can the i5-1135G7 be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked, but it supports dynamic tuning for power limits.
What graphics does the i5-1135G7 have?
It has Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units.
Does the i5-1135G7 support DDR5?
No, it supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory.
What is the TDP of the i5-1135G7?
The base TDP is 15W, with a configurable TDP-up of 28W.
Is the i5-1135G7 better than the Ryzen 5 5500U?
It has better single-core and graphics performance, while the Ryzen has better multi-core performance.
Can the i5-1135G7 run Windows 11?
Yes, it fully supports Windows 11.
Does the i5-1135G7 have Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, it supports Thunderbolt 4 via the Tiger Lake platform.
How many PCIe lanes does the i5-1135G7 have?
It has 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
What generation is the i5-1135G7?
It is an 11th Generation Tiger Lake processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max turbo frequency of the i5-1135G7?
The maximum turbo frequency is 4.2 GHz.
Can I upgrade the CPU in my laptop if it has an i5-1135G7?
No, it is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.
Is the i5-1135G7 good for video editing?
It is good for basic 1080p video editing, but 4K editing will be slow.
Does the i5-1135G7 support AVX-512?
Yes, it supports AVX-512 instructions.
What is the L3 cache size of the i5-1135G7?
It has an 8 MB shared L3 cache.
What is the base clock speed of the i5-1135G7?
The base clock speed is 1.5 GHz.
Does the i5-1135G7 have Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 4 cores and 8 threads.
What is the configurable TDP-down for this chip?
The configurable TDP-down is 12W for ultra-thin tablets.
Does the i5-1135G7 support Wi-Fi 6?
Yes, the Tiger Lake platform supports Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Is it good for programming?
Yes, its strong single-core performance makes it excellent for coding and web development.