Quick Verdict
A solid refresh that fixed the PCIe lane limitation of the original Tiger Lake i5. It offers great single-thread performance and integrated graphics, though 4 cores show their age in 2024.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
ActiveGeneration
11th Gen (Refresh)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i5-1155G7 is a mid-cycle refresh of the 11th Gen Tiger Lake-U mobile processor lineup, released in May 2021. Built on the 10nm SuperFin process with Willow Cove architecture, it features 4 cores and 8 threads, operating at a base clock of 2.5 GHz and boosting up to 4.5 GHz. This refresh offered a slight frequency bump over the original i5-1145G7 to maintain competitiveness against AMD's Ryzen 5000 mobile series. A notable improvement in this SKU is the doubling of usable PCIe 4.0 lanes to 16, allowing OEMs to connect high-speed NVMe storage and discrete components simultaneously without bottlenecking. It integrates Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units, providing robust integrated graphics for thin-and-light laptops. With a configurable TDP of 12W to 28W, it remains a highly capable processor for everyday productivity, media consumption, and light creative workloads, though it has been superseded by Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake series.
The Intel Core i5-1155G7 is a mid-2021 refresh of the 11th Gen Tiger Lake-U architecture. It provides 4 cores and 8 threads with boost speeds up to 4.5 GHz.
The major update over its predecessor is the inclusion of 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, allowing better expansion options for OEMs. Its Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 (80EU) delivers excellent integrated visual performance for 1080p media and light gaming.
While still active, it is fundamentally a 4-core chip in an era of hybrid architectures, making it best suited for standard office work and everyday computing tasks.
Specifications
Performance
Excellent single-thread speed makes office apps and browsing feel instant.
Can run a light VM, but 4 cores limit parallel virtualization.
Iris Xe 80EU performs well in older titles and esports at 1080p Low settings.
Good power efficiency, though surpassed by newer 10nm and TSMC nodes.
- •Iris Xe 80EU is capable but bottlenecked by 4 cores
- •Performance depends heavily on dual-channel memory
- •Supports modern graphics APIs
- •Intel DL Boost for INT8
- •GNA 2.0 for audio AI
- •No dedicated NPU
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
28 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Intel Core i5-1155G7 utilizes the Tiger Lake-U architecture, manufactured on the 10nm SuperFin process. At its core are 4 Willow Cove CPU cores capable of 8 threads, featuring 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Willow Cove focuses on reducing latency and increasing frequency headroom over the prior Sunny Cove design. The 10nm SuperFin process utilizes advanced transistor gate stacking to achieve the high 4.5 GHz boost clocks efficiently. A critical differentiator in the 1155G7 is the uncore configuration, exposing 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU, a significant upgrade for system integrators needing multiple high-speed NVMe drives or discrete components. The integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units provides robust parallel processing and media encoding, including hardware AV1 decode. Additionally, the architecture includes Intel's GNA 2.0 for low-power audio processing, ensuring that background tasks like noise cancellation do not interfere with primary CPU workloads.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads, Willow Cove microarchitecture.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-4267.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (CPU only).
Overclocking
Locked multiplier; OEM configurable TDP (12-28W).
- Increased PCIe lanes from 4 to 16
- Higher boost clock (4.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz)
- Refined power management
Key Highlights
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes provide good expansion flexibility
- Strong single-thread performance up to 4.5 GHz
- Excellent integrated Iris Xe graphics
- Good power efficiency for battery life
- Hardware AV1 video decoding
- Only 4 cores limit multi-threaded performance
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake hybrid architecture
- Locked multiplier
- No ECC memory support
- End-of-life is approaching as newer generations dominate
History
The Core i5-1155G7 was launched in May 2021 as a quiet refresh of the Tiger Lake lineup. Intel faced immense pressure from AMD's highly successful Ryzen 5000 mobile processors, which offered more cores and high efficiency. While Intel was preparing the hybrid architecture of 12th Gen Alder Lake, they needed a stopgap to keep their ultrabook platform relevant.
The 1155G7 provided a slight frequency bump to 4.5 GHz and, crucially, unlocked 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes for OEMs, allowing more flexible system designs with fast storage and peripherals.
Though it couldn't match AMD's 8-core Ryzen 7s in multi-threaded workloads, its superior single-thread IPC and mature Iris Xe graphics kept it competitive in the premium thin-and-light segments. This chip represents the final refinement of the Willow Cove mobile architecture before Intel transitioned to the hybrid P-core/E-core design philosophy.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Increased PCIe lanes from 4 to 16
- Higher boost clock (4.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz)
- Refined power management
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Purchasing a discounted 2021-era laptop for standard school or office work.
Avoid if…
- Buying a new laptop at full price (12th Gen or newer is vastly superior)
- You need to run heavy multi-threaded workloads
- You plan to do 4K video editing or 3D rendering
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
This chip doubled the PCIe 4.0 lanes compared to the original 1145G7 (16 vs 4).
It has a Tcase max of 72°C, distinct from the Tjmax of 100°C.
The Iris Xe graphics support variable rate shading.
It was released in May 2021, roughly 8 months after the original Tiger Lake launch.
Despite the name, it is a dual-core per cluster design, not a big.LITTLE architecture.
The chip supports AVX-512 instructions.
It includes Intel Speed Shift Technology for rapid frequency scaling.
The part number for the mobile package is SRKSF.
It was primarily designed to keep Intel competitive against the AMD Ryzen 5000 mobile refresh.
The 10nm SuperFin process was Intel's most advanced node until Intel 7.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-1155G7 good for gaming?
It is decent for light 1080p gaming on low settings thanks to Iris Xe graphics, but not for heavy titles.
What is the difference between i5-1145G7 and i5-1155G7?
The i5-1155G7 has 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes (vs 4) and a slightly higher boost clock (4.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz).
When was the i5-1155G7 released?
It was released on May 31st, 2021.
Does the i5-1155G7 support Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, the Tiger Lake platform natively supports Thunderbolt 4.
How many PCIe lanes does the i5-1155G7 have?
It has 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
What is the TDP of the i5-1155G7?
The default TDP is 28W, but it is configurable down to 12W by OEMs.
Can the i5-1155G7 run Windows 11?
Yes, it fully supports Windows 11.
Does the i5-1155G7 have vPro?
No, vPro is typically not supported on standard i5 mobile SKUs, reserved for i7 or embedded.
What graphics are in the i5-1155G7?
It features Intel Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 Execution Units.
Is the i5-1155G7 unlocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I overclock the i5-1155G7?
No, the CPU multiplier is locked.
Does the i5-1155G7 support AV1?
Yes, the integrated Iris Xe graphics support hardware AV1 decoding.
What is the max turbo of the i5-1155G7?
The maximum turbo frequency is 4.5 GHz.
What memory does the i5-1155G7 support?
It supports dual-channel DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-4267.
Is the i5-1155G7 good for video editing?
It is adequate for 1080p editing but will struggle with heavy 4K timelines.
What is the L3 cache size of the i5-1155G7?
It has 8 MB of L3 cache.
Does the i5-1155G7 support ECC memory?
No, it does not support ECC memory.
What is the PL2 power limit of the i5-1155G7?
The short-term turbo power limit (PL2) is 52W.
Is the i5-1155G7 still in production?
Yes, it is currently marked as active, though largely relegated to budget or legacy laptop designs.
What generation is the i5-1155G7?
It is an 11th Generation Intel Core processor (Tiger Lake refresh).