Quick Verdict
A potent refresh of Tiger Lake, offering exceptional single-core speeds and improved PCIe expansion for high-end mobile devices.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
11th Generation Core i7
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i7-1195G7 is a Tiger Lake-U refresh released in mid-2021, offering a slight bump in frequencies over the original i7-1185G7. Built on the 10nm SuperFin process, it features 4 cores and 8 threads, but pushes the turbo frequency to an impressive 5.0 GHz. This makes it one of the fastest single-threaded mobile processors of its era. The base clock is set at 2.9 GHz, with a configurable TDP ranging from 12W to 28W. Unlike the 1185G7, the 1195G7 upgrades the PCIe support to 16 lanes of Gen 4, enabling full bandwidth for high-end discrete GPUs in larger laptop chassis. It retains the excellent Iris Xe-LP Graphics with 96 EUs. Targeted at premium ultrabooks and thin-and-light gaming laptops, this processor aimed to hold off AMD's Ryzen 5000 mobile series by maximizing burst performance and platform connectivity.
The i7-1195G7 squeezes more performance out of the Tiger Lake architecture, hitting 5.0 GHz. With 16 lanes of PCIe 4.
0, it better supports discrete GPUs, making it ideal for thin-and-light creator and gaming laptops.
Specifications
Performance
The 5.0 GHz boost provides unmatched snappiness for daily tasks.
Good for light VMs, but 4 cores limit heavy virtualization.
Excellent when paired with a discrete GPU due to 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Pushing 5.0 GHz on 10nm can generate significant heat in thin chassis.
- •16 PCIe lanes prevent dGPU bottlenecks
- •Iris Xe is excellent for casual gaming
- •CPU bottleneck possible in multi-threaded games
- •DLBoost present
- •No dedicated NPU
- •Fast single-core speeds help CPU AI tasks
Architecture
10nm
Process Node
Tiger Lake-U
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
28 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
At its core, the i7-1195G7 relies on the Willow Cove microarchitecture. The primary enhancement in this refresh is the silicon's ability to sustain 5.0 GHz on a single core and 4.6 GHz across all cores. The 10nm SuperFin process remains the backbone, providing the necessary transistor efficiency to hit these frequencies within a 28W envelope. The architecture includes 12MB of L3 cache and 1.25MB of L2 cache per core. A significant architectural update over the initial Tiger Lake release is the full 16-lane PCIe 4.0 support, allowing laptops to pair the CPU with discrete GPUs like the RTX 3050 without bandwidth bottlenecks. The memory controller supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The integrated Intel Iris Xe-LP graphics operate dynamically up to 1400 MHz, utilizing 96 Execution Units to deliver strong graphics performance and support for modern APIs like DirectX 12 Ultimate.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads with enhanced clock speed bins.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4/LPDDR4/LPDDR4X controller.
PCIe & I/O
Full 16 lanes of PCIe 4.0 from the CPU.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- 200 MHz higher turbo
- 12 additional PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Added LPDDR4 support
Key Highlights
- 5.0 GHz single-core turbo
- 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Excellent Iris Xe graphics
- Strong single-thread performance
- Only 4 cores
- End-of-life platform
- Can run hot at 5.0 GHz
- Expensive at launch
History
Launched on May 31st, 2021, the Core i7-1195G7 was Intel's mid-year counter-punch to AMD's Ryzen 5000 mobile CPUs. AMD had effectively matched or beaten Intel in both single-core and multi-core performance, pushing Intel to squeeze more out of the Tiger Lake architecture. The 1195G7 was the result, crossing the symbolic 5.
0 GHz barrier for the first time on a mobile chip. While it still only offered 4 cores, the increased clock speeds and full PCIe 4.0 x16 support made it more viable for entry-level gaming laptops and creator ultrabooks.
This processor was a rare refresh within the same generation, highlighting the intense competition in the mobile space. It allowed OEMs to release slightly updated models without waiting for the 12th Gen Alder Lake architecture. Ultimately, it served as a bridge, keeping Intel competitive in premium segments until their hybrid architecture was ready.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 200 MHz higher turbo
- 12 additional PCIe 4.0 lanes
- Added LPDDR4 support
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a used premium ultrabook or thin-and-light laptop.
Avoid if…
- Need heavy multi-core performance
- Buying new (look for 12th Gen)
- Require DDR5 memory
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Crossed the 5.0 GHz barrier for mobile processors.
Features 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, unlike the 1185G7's 4 lanes.
Iris Xe graphics boost up to 1400 MHz.
Supports standard LPDDR4 memory.
Released as a mid-generation refresh in May 2021.
Part number is SRKSC.
All-core turbo is 4.6 GHz.
PL2 power limit is 52W.
Built on the Tiger Lake-U architecture.
Targeted at premium ultrabooks and thin-and-light gaming.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-1195G7 good for gaming?
Yes, especially when paired with a discrete GPU, thanks to its 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes.
What is the max turbo of the i7-1195G7?
The maximum turbo frequency is 5.0 GHz.
How many PCIe lanes does the i7-1195G7 have?
It has 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
What is the difference between 1185G7 and 1195G7?
The 1195G7 has a higher 5.0 GHz turbo and 16 PCIe lanes, up from 4.8 GHz and 4 lanes.
Does the i7-1195G7 support DDR5?
No, it supports DDR4, LPDDR4, and LPDDR4X.
What generation is the i7-1195G7?
It is an 11th generation Intel Core processor.
Can the i7-1195G7 be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the base clock of the i7-1195G7?
The base clock is 2.9 GHz.
Does it have integrated graphics?
Yes, it has Intel Iris Xe-LP Graphics with 96 EUs.
Is 4 cores enough for 2024?
It is adequate for general use and gaming, but struggles with heavy multi-threading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TDP of the i7-1195G7?
The default TDP is 28W, configurable down to 12W.
What is the all-core turbo speed?
The all-core turbo speed is 4.6 GHz.
Does the i7-1195G7 support Thunderbolt 4?
Yes, Tiger Lake processors natively support Thunderbolt 4.
What memory speed does it support?
It supports DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X-4267.
What socket does it use?
It uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket.
Is it good for video editing?
It is very good for 1080p and light 4K editing due to its 5.0 GHz clock.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 12MB of L3 cache.
Does it support vPro?
Yes, it includes vPro enterprise features.
What is the Iris Xe dynamic frequency?
The Iris Xe graphics have a dynamic frequency of 1400 MHz.
When was the i7-1195G7 released?
It was released on May 31st, 2021.