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Intel Core i5-1030G7

Intel Core i5-1030G7

Intel Core i5-1030G7: Review of the Processor for Ultrabooks in 2025

Codename: Ice Lake | Process Technology: 10 nm | TDP: 9 W

Architecture and Process Technology: 10 nm, 4 Cores, and Iris Plus Graphics

The Intel Core i5-1030G7 processor, released in 2019, is part of the Ice Lake lineup, which transitioned mobile CPUs to a 10-nanometer process technology. This allowed for reduced power consumption and improved performance per watt.

Key Specifications:

- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Frequencies: Base — 0.8 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 3.5 GHz. This difference is explained by adaptive power management.

- Cache: L3 — 6 MB, which is sufficient for office and multimedia tasks.

- Integrated Graphics: Iris Plus G7 with 64 execution units. Supports 4K@60 Hz, H.265 video decoding, and partially utilizes AI for image enhancement.

Architectural Improvements:

- Support for AVX-512 and DL Boost for accelerating machine learning tasks.

- PCIe 3.0 (up to 16 lanes) and Thunderbolt 3 for fast peripheral connections.

- Optimization for LPDDR4X-3733 MHz, which increases memory bandwidth.

Power Consumption and TDP: 9 W for Thin Devices

With a TDP of 9 W, the processor is targeted at ultrabooks and hybrid laptops. This allows for:

- Operation without active cooling (in some models) or with compact fans.

- Reduced heat generation, which is critical for devices with passive cooling, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X.

Dynamic Management:

The Intel Dynamic Tuning technology automatically adjusts frequency and voltage depending on the load. For example, during text editing, the frequency drops to 1.2 GHz, while in turbo mode, it rises to 3.5 GHz for short periods (up to 28 seconds).

Performance: Office, Multimedia, and Light Gaming

Office Tasks:

- Microsoft Office + 20 Chrome tabs: No lags, even when simultaneously running Zoom.

- PDF rendering in Adobe Acrobat: 15-20% faster than the previous generation (i5-8250U).

Multimedia:

- 4K video in Premiere Pro: Simple edits are possible, but exporting will take time (for example, a 5-minute video takes about 12 minutes compared to 8 minutes for Ryzen 5 5500U).

- Streaming: Hardware decoding of AV1 in browsers reduces CPU load.

Gaming:

- CS:GO on low settings: 40-50 FPS at 1080p resolution.

- The Sims 4: Stable 60 FPS.

- Throttling: During prolonged loads (over 10 minutes), the frequency drops to 2.2-2.5 GHz due to TDP limits.

Use Cases: Who is the i5-1030G7 Made For?

- Students and office workers: Light laptop with 10+ hours of battery life.

- Travelers: Devices weighing up to 1.2 kg (e.g., Dell XPS 13 7390).

- Home users: Watching Netflix, working with documents.

Not suitable for:

- 3D modeling and rendering in Blender.

- Running modern AAA games.

Battery Life: How Does 9 W TDP Impact Runtime?

With a battery capacity of 50 Wh (standard for ultrabooks):

- Web surfing: Up to 12 hours (brightness 150 nits, Wi-Fi on).

- Video: 10 hours of 1080p playback.

Power-Saving Technologies:

- Intel Speed Shift: Redistributes tasks between cores, reducing overall consumption.

- Connected Standby: "Sleep" mode with background email checking.

Comparison with Competitors: AMD, Apple, and Previous Generations

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (7 nm, Zen 2):

- Pros: 6 cores, better performance in multi-threaded tasks.

- Cons: 15 W TDP, 2-3 hours less battery life.

Apple M1 (5 nm):

- Pros: Best energy efficiency, 18 hours of operation.

- Cons: macOS limits software compatibility.

Intel Core i5-8250U (14 nm, 2017):

- Pros: Cheaper (laptops starting from $500).

- Cons: 30% slower in single-threaded tasks.

Pros and Cons of the Processor

Strengths:

- Ideal for portable devices.

- Iris Plus G7 graphics handles 4K and light gaming.

- Thunderbolt 3 support for fast drives and monitors.

Weaknesses:

- Low base frequency (0.8 GHz) slows down the "cold" start of applications.

- Limited multi-threaded performance.

Laptop Selection Recommendations

- Type of device: Ultrabook or convertible (e.g., Lenovo Yoga C940).

- Options to look for:

- RAM: Minimum 8 GB LPDDR4X.

- Storage: NVMe SSD from 256 GB.

- Screen: Matte finish for outdoor use.

Examples of 2025 models:

- Acer Swift 5 (14") — $799.

- HP Spectre x360 13 — $899.

Final Conclusion: Who Is the i5-1030G7 Suitable For?

This processor is the choice for those who value mobility and battery life. It is suitable for:

- Office work and studying.

- Content consumption and occasional gaming sessions.

- Users who prioritize the weight and design of the laptop.

Key Benefits: Up to 12 hours of operation, quiet cooling system, and support for modern interfaces. If you need maximum performance, consider the Apple M3 or AMD Ryzen 7 7735U.

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Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Laptop
Launch Date
August 2019
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.
i5-1030G7
Code Name
Ice 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).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
Performance-cores
4
Performance-core Base Frequency
0.8 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
6MB shared
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
BGA-1440
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
TDP
9 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100 °C
PCIe Version
?
PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.
3.0
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.
x86-64

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.
LPDDR4-3733
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
32GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
58.3 GB/s
ECC Memory Support
No

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.
True
GPU Max Dynamic Frequency
1050 MHz

Miscellaneous

Extended Instruction Set
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX-2, AVX-512

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1064
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
2811

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 5 Single Core
Xeon E-2186M
1107 +4%
Ryzen 5 4600HS
1085 +2%
Core i5-1030G7
1064
EPYC 7443
1040 -2.3%
Ryzen 5 7520C
1019 -4.2%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Xeon E-2386G
3103 +10.4%
Core i7-4810MQ
2978 +5.9%
Core i5-1030G7
2811
Core i5-3550S
2693 -4.2%
Core i7-6700TE
2578 -8.3%