Intel Core i5-1155G7

Intel Core i5-1155G7: Review and Practical Guide for 2025
April 2025
Despite the emergence of new processors, the Intel Core i5-1155G7 remains a popular choice for budget and mid-range laptops. Let's explore why it is still relevant in 2025 and who it is best suited for.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: What's Inside?
10nm SuperFin and Willow Cove
The processor is built on the Tiger Lake architecture (2020) using the 10nm SuperFin manufacturing process, which was a breakthrough for Intel at the time. This has allowed for reduced power consumption and increased transistor density.
- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads. Base frequency — 2.5 GHz, turbo boost maximum — 4.5 GHz.
- Cache: 8 MB L3.
- Integrated Graphics: Intel Iris Xe (96 EU). Supports DirectX 12, 4K/60Hz, AV1 decoding.
Architecture features:
- Willow Cove: Improved IPC (instructions per cycle) by 10–15% compared to Ice Lake.
- AI Acceleration: Supports Intel DL Boost for machine learning tasks.
The iGPU Iris Xe is a key advantage. In 2025, it still handles basic gaming (for example, _CS2_ at low settings yields 40–50 FPS) and video processing.
2. Power Consumption and TDP: Balance Between Power and Battery Life
The processor's TDP is 12–28 W (adjusted by the laptop manufacturer). Ultrabooks often use a 15 W mode for optimized battery life, while compact workstations use 28 W for maximum performance.
Power Management Technologies:
- Intel Dynamic Tuning: Automatically adjusts power consumption based on workload.
- Thermal Velocity Boost: Temporarily increases frequency if temperature allows.
In practice, this means that during office tasks, the processor hardly heats up, but it may throttle frequencies during prolonged rendering due to overheating.
3. Performance: Real-World Scenarios
Office and Multimedia
- Office Applications (Word, Excel): CPU load does not exceed 20%.
- Web Browser: 30+ tabs in Chrome while streaming 1080p YouTube—no lags.
- Video Editing: In Adobe Premiere Pro, rendering a 10-minute 1080p video takes about 8–10 minutes.
Gaming
- Casual Games: _Dota 2_ (720p, low settings) — 60–70 FPS; _Genshin Impact_ (720p) — 40–50 FPS.
- Turbo Mode: In gaming, frequency stays around 3.8–4.2 GHz for the first 10–15 minutes, then drops to 3.5 GHz due to heating.
Geekbench 6:
- Single-Core: 1747 — comparable to Apple M1 (1680).
- Multi-Core: 4873 — weaker than Ryzen 5 5600U (5200+).
4. Use Scenarios: Who Is It For?
- Students and Office Workers: A lightweight laptop for studying, Zoom conferences, and document work.
- Freelancers: Basic photo (Lightroom) and video (Premiere Rush) editing.
- Casual Gamers: Older generation games or cloud gaming (GeForce NOW).
Not suitable for:
- Professional designers (not enough cores for 3D rendering).
- Streamers (lacks power for simultaneous gaming and streaming).
5. Battery Life: How Long Does the Laptop Last?
With a battery capacity of 50–60 Wh, the working time varies:
- Web Surfing: 8–10 hours (50% brightness, Wi-Fi).
- Video (local): 12+ hours (hardware decoding).
- High Load (rendering): 2–3 hours.
Power-Saving Technologies:
- Adaptix Dynamic Tuning: Optimizes load on CPU/GPU.
- Windows Eco Modes: Reduce frequency for background tasks.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Pros: 6 cores, cheaper.
- Cons: Vega 7 graphics is weaker than Iris Xe (~20% difference in gaming).
Apple M1
- Pros: Better battery life (up to 18 hours), cooler operation.
- Cons: Limited compatibility with Windows software.
Intel Core i5-12500H (2024)
- Pros: 12 cores, better performance in multitasking.
- Cons: TDP 45 W, more expensive.
7. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- High single-thread performance.
- Powerful graphics for its class with Iris Xe.
- Support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Weaknesses:
- Only 4 cores (competitors offer 6–8).
- Heating under prolonged load.
- In 2025, outdated manufacturing process (new models are on 5–7nm).
8. Laptop Selection Recommendations
Types of Devices:
- Ultrabooks (Acer Swift 5, Lenovo Yoga 7): Weight up to 1.3 kg, battery life 10+ hours. Price: $600–$800.
- Budget Workstations (HP Envy 14): 14-15 inch screen with IPS matrix, 512 GB SSD.
What to Look For:
- Cooling: 2 fans are better than passive cooling.
- Display: For multimedia, aim for 100% sRGB.
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 is useful for docking stations.
9. Final Conclusion: Is It Worth Buying in 2025?
The Core i5-1155G7 is suitable if you are looking for:
- An affordable laptop ($600–$900) for work and study.
- A device with good graphics for less demanding games.
- Portability and battery life without overpaying for top models.
Key Benefits: Balance of price and performance, support for modern interfaces (Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0), sufficient power for most everyday tasks.
Alternative: If your budget allows, consider laptops with Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (2024) or AMD Ryzen 7 7730U — they offer more cores and better power efficiency.