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Intel Core i7-1185G7

Intel Core i7-1185G7: Hybrid Power for Mobile Tasks

April 2025

Laptop processors in 2025 continue to evolve, but even four years after its release, the Intel Core i7-1185G7 remains a relevant choice for many users. This chip, released in 2020 as part of the Tiger Lake series, combines high single-thread performance, energy efficiency, and advanced integrated graphics. Let's explore who it suits today and what advantages it offers compared to modern counterparts.

Architecture and Process Technology: 10 nm SuperFin and Willow Cove

Cores, Threads, and Cache

The Core i7-1185G7 is built on the Willow Cove architecture, which was a step forward from Ice Lake. The chip uses a 10-nanometer SuperFin process technology—an enhanced version of 10 nm, where Intel engineers increased transistor density and reduced energy losses. This has allowed for higher clock speeds without overheating.

- 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Base frequency: 3.0 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 4.8 GHz (for a single core).

- L3 cache increased to 12 MB (up from 8 MB in the previous generation Ice Lake).

Integrated Graphics Iris Xe

The Iris Xe (96 EU) graphics accelerator is a key advantage of Tiger Lake. It supports:

- DirectX 12, Vulkan;

- 4K monitor output at 120 Hz;

- Hardware decoding of AV1 and VP9 for 8K streaming;

- "Adaptive Sync" mode for smooth gaming.

In 2025, Iris Xe still handles modern games at low settings (e.g., Fortnite or CS2 at 1080p and 40-60 FPS), but a discrete graphics card is required for AAA titles.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Battery Life

The nominal TDP of the processor is 28 W, but actual power consumption depends on workload and system settings. Ultrabooks often employ dynamic management (cTDP Down to 12-15 W for power saving), which reduces performance but extends battery life.

Power Management Features:

- Intel Dynamic Tuning 2.0 — an algorithm that adapts power to tasks (for example, it lowers frequencies while working on text).

- Speed Shift Technology — accelerated switching between P-states to minimize latency.

However, under active load (rendering, gaming), the chip can consume up to 40 W, which requires an effective cooling system.

Performance: From Office to Light Gaming

Office Tasks and Multimedia

- Geekbench 6: 1733 (Single-Core), 5320 (Multi-Core).

- In everyday scenarios (browser with 20+ tabs, Zoom, Office), the processor operates without delays.

- 4K video in Premiere Pro renders 30% faster than on the i7-1065G7, thanks to AVX-512 and AI optimizations.

Turbo Mode: Speed vs. Heat

The maximum frequency of 4.8 GHz is reached in brief bursts (up to 10-15 seconds), after which the system reduces frequencies to 3.8-4.2 GHz to avoid overheating. In laptops with passive cooling (like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4), this leads to throttling, but in models with dual fans (such as the Dell XPS 13), performance is more stable.

Gaming

Iris Xe in 2025 is a viable option for casual gaming:

- Genshin Impact: 720p, medium settings — 45-50 FPS;

- Rocket League: 1080p, low settings — 60 FPS;

- Cyberpunk 2077: only cloud gaming (GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud).

For serious gaming, an eGPU via Thunderbolt 4 is needed.

Use Cases: Who is the i7-1185G7 For?

1. Students and office workers — fast document handling, multitasking.

2. Creative professionals — editing short videos in DaVinci Resolve, photo editing in Lightroom.

3. Mobile gamers — indie games or streaming via Xbox Game Pass.

4. Travelers — compact ultrabooks with long battery life.

Not suitable for: 3D modeling, real-time 4K video editing, streaming AAA games.

Battery Life: How Does the Processor Affect Runtime?

With a TDP of 28 W, laptops with the i7-1185G7 demonstrate moderate battery life:

- Web browsing: 8-10 hours (brightness 150 nits, Wi-Fi);

- Video (1080p): 12-14 hours;

- Load (rendering): 2-3 hours.

Energy-saving technologies:

- Display Power Saving — automatic brightness adjustment.

- Connected Standby — background updates in sleep mode.

Tip: opt for models with a battery of at least 60 Wh (for example, the 2021 Lenovo Yoga 9i — 14 hours of operation).

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 7 5800U (Zen 3, 8 cores, 16 threads)

- Pros: Better multi-threaded performance (+25% in Cinebench R23), lower price of laptops ($900-$1200).

- Cons: Weaker graphics (Vega 8), no Thunderbolt 4.

Apple M1 (8 cores, 5 nm)

- Pros: Record battery life (18+ hours), cool operation.

- Cons: Limited compatibility with Windows software, no eGPU support.

Intel Core i7-1280P (Alder Lake, 14 cores)

- Pros: Higher multi-threaded power (+40%), DDR5.

- Cons: Laptop prices starting at $1500, heating under load.

Conclusion: The i7-1185G7 excels in single-threaded tasks and supports Thunderbolt 4, but lags in multi-thread performance.

Pros and Cons of the Processor

Pros:

- High IPC (instructions per cycle) — relevant for older games and applications that aren't optimized for multi-threading.

- Best-in-class integrated graphics.

- Support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.

Cons:

- Only 4 cores — multi-thread tasks (encoding, compiling) are performed slower than with 8-core Ryzen chips.

- Heating in thin chassis.

Laptop Selection Recommendations

1. Device Type:

- Ultrabook: Dell XPS 13 (from $1100), ASUS ZenBook 14.

- Business Laptop: HP EliteBook 840 G8 (rugged casing, RJ-45 port).

- 2-in-1: Lenovo Yoga 7i (touchscreen, stylus).

2. What to Look For:

- Cooling: 2 fans + heat pipes.

- Screen: IPS matrix with 100% sRGB for color work.

- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 for peripheral connections.

3. Prices in 2025: Laptops with i7-1185G7 sell in the range of $800-$1300 (new, stock leftovers).

Final Verdict

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 in 2025 is a choice for those looking for a balanced laptop with good battery life and sufficient power for everyday tasks. It is ideal for:

- Freelancers working on the go;

- Students balancing studies and entertainment;

- Home users who value a quiet and light device.

Key benefits: support for modern interfaces (Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0), smooth operation in office and creative applications, light gaming capability. However, for heavy workloads, considering laptops with the Ryzen 7 6800U or Core i5-1340P would be better.

If you find a device with the i7-1185G7 priced below $1000, it's an excellent investment in a reliable and powerful gadget for the next 2-3 years.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

September 2020

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i7-1185G7

Code Name

Tiger Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

12 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1449

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

10 nm SuperFin

TDP

28 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

Microprocessor PCIe Revision

Gen 4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-3200 | LPDDR4x-4267

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

4 GT/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.35 GHz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

12.1

Execution Units

The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

7680x4320@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP 1.4b | MIPI-DSI 2.0 | DP 1.4 | HDMI 2.0b

Miscellaneous

Intel Deep Learning Boost (Intel DL Boost) on CPU

A new set of embedded processor technologies designed to accelerate AI deep learning use cases. It extends Intel AVX-512 with a new Vector Neural Network Instruction (VNNI) that significantly increases deep learning inference performance over previous generations.

Yes

Intel Image Processing Unit

6.0

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2 | Intel® AVX-512

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

12 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel High Definition Audio

Yes

Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)

Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD) provides a common, robust method of hot plug and LED management for NVMe-based solid state drives.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology

CET - Intel Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) helps protect against the misuse of legitimate code snippets through return-oriented programming (ROP) control-flow hijacking attacks.

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.6

OpenCL Support

OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for heterogeneous parallel programming.

3.0

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1733

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

5320

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1214

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

4353

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2836

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

10539

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-1335U

1957 +12.9%

Ryzen 7 7435H

1852 +6.9%

Core i7-1185G7

1733

Ryzen 5 6600HS

1661 -4.2%

Xeon E-2278GE

1603 -7.5%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i7-8700B

5893 +10.8%

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

5551 +4.3%

Core i7-1185G7

5320

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700

4937 -7.2%

Core i7-8700T

4640 -12.8%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i7-9700KF

1296 +6.8%

Core i7-11375H

1260 +3.8%

Core i7-1185G7

1214

Xeon E-2224

1180 -2.8%

Xeon W-1250

1151 -5.2%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon W-1250TE

4792 +10.1%

Core i7-7700K

4592 +5.5%

Core i7-1185G7

4353

Xeon W-2123

4110 -5.6%

Ryzen 5 3400G

3901 -10.4%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

2985 +5.3%

EPYC 9654

2922 +3%

Core i7-1185G7

2836

Core i9-10885H

2770 -2.3%

Core i9-10920X

2737 -3.5%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon E5-2648L v4

11547 +9.6%

Core i5-11320H

11011 +4.5%

Core i7-1185G7

10539

Core i7-4960X

10081 -4.3%

Ryzen 5 PRO 3350GE

9643 -8.5%