Intel Core i5-1140G7

Intel Core i5-1140G7: A Balance of Mobility and Performance in 2025 Ultrathin Laptops
(Relevant as of April 2025)
Architecture and Technology Process: 10 nm SuperFin and Willow Cove
The Intel Core i5-1140G7 processor, released in 2021, remains a popular choice for budget ultrathin laptops. Its Tiger Lake architecture is built on the 10-nanometer SuperFin technology, which marked an important step for Intel in the quest for energy efficiency.
- Cores and Threads: 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Base frequency — 1.8 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 4.2 GHz.
- CPU Features: Willow Cove cores brought a 15-20% improvement in IPC (instructions per clock) compared to Ice Lake (10th generation). This is especially noticeable in single-threaded tasks.
- Integrated Graphics: Iris Xe with 80 EU (Execution Units) — twice as many as the previous generation UHD Graphics. Supports DirectX 12, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4.
In comparison, by 2025 Intel shifted to the Intel 4 (7 nm) process with Meteor Lake, but the i5-1140G7 remains relevant due to the low cost of devices built on it.
Power Consumption and TDP: 7–15 W for Thin Laptops
The processor's TDP is 7–15 W, allowing it to be used in ultrathin laptops without active cooling or with compact coolers.
- Operating Modes: Laptop manufacturers can configure the TDP via cTDP (Configurable TDP). For example, in 15 W mode, the system maintains high performance for longer, while at 7 W, it extends battery life.
- Heat Dissipation: Even under load, the chip rarely heats up above 75°C, but in compact cases (for instance, Acer Swift 5), throttling can occur after 10–15 minutes of video rendering.
Performance: From Office Tasks to Casual Gaming
Office Tasks:
- Running 30+ tabs in Chrome, Excel with macros, Zoom + Slack — the processor handles it without lag. In the PCMark 10 test, it scores around 4500 points, comparable to the Ryzen 5 5500U.
Multimedia:
- Converting 4K video in HandBrake: A 10-minute clip takes about 22 minutes to process. In comparison, the Apple M1 does it in 15 minutes.
- Photo editing in Lightroom: Filters and retouching are applied smoothly, but working with RAW files exceeding 45 MP may cause slowdowns.
Gaming:
- Iris Xe runs CS:GO at medium settings (Full HD, 60 FPS), Dota 2 at 50–55 FPS. In GTA V (720p, low settings) — stable 40 FPS. For Fortnite, resolution will need to be lowered to 1600×900.
Turbo Boost Mode:
- The maximum frequency of 4.2 GHz is activated during short tasks (e.g., opening a heavy PDF). In the Cinebench R23 benchmark, the single-threaded score is 1325 points, while the multi-threaded score is 4860.
Use Cases: Who is the i5-1140G7 Suitable For?
1. Students and Office Workers: Attending lectures, working with documents, video conferencing.
2. Digital Nomads: A lightweight laptop (starting from 1.2 kg) with 8+ hours of battery life.
3. Casual Gamers: Games like Minecraft or Overwatch 2 on low settings.
Not Suitable For:
- Video editors working with 8K content.
- Streamers — insufficient cores for simultaneous gaming and broadcasting.
Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours in Reading Mode
Average working time for laptops with the i5-1140G7 (e.g., Lenovo Yoga 7i):
- Web browsing: 9–10 hours.
- Video (1080p): 12 hours.
- Gaming: 2–3 hours.
Power Saving Technologies:
- Intel Dynamic Tuning 2.0: Adapts the TDP based on load.
- Speed Shift: Quickly switches between P-states to save charge.
Comparison with Competitors
1. AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (Zen 2):
- Pros: 6 cores, better in multi-threaded tasks.
- Cons: Weaker iGPU (Vega 7 vs. Iris Xe).
2. Apple M1:
- Pros: Twice the battery life, faster rendering.
- Cons: Limited compatibility with Windows applications.
3. Intel Core i5-1135G7:
- Almost identical to 1140G7, but with fewer EU in graphics (80 vs. 96).
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Best-in-class integrated graphics.
- High single-threaded performance.
- Support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Weaknesses:
- Only 4 cores — multitasking is limited.
- In 2025, it looks outdated compared to the Ryzen 5 7540U (Zen 4).
Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
- Device Type: Ultrabook (e.g., Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360).
- Price Range: $600–$900 for new models.
- What to Look For:
- Screen: IPS matrix with 300 nits brightness.
- RAM: At least 16 GB LPDDR4X.
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD.
- Ports: 2× Thunderbolt 4 for connecting external GPUs.
Final Conclusion
The Intel Core i5-1140G7 is an optimal choice for those seeking an affordable ultrabook that balances performance and battery life. In 2025, it should be considered if:
- The budget is limited to $700–800.
- A lightweight laptop is needed for study or travel.
- Compatibility with Windows software and peripherals is required.
Key Benefits: Powerful graphics for the class, portability, support for modern interfaces. However, for professional tasks, it’s better to look into the newer generations of Intel Core Ultra or Ryzen 7000.