Core i3-1305U vs Core i7-1160G7

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i7-1160G7 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i7-1160G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1305U

2023

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1598 and DDR4.
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1160G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,634 vs 8,720).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-1160G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i3-1305U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1598 with DDR4, while Core i3-1305U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1160G7 better than Core i3-1305U?

Yes. Core i7-1160G7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-1160G7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-1160G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-1160G7 is the better buy right now. Core i7-1160G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-1305U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1598. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1305U vs Core i7-1160G7 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-1305U

The Core i3-1305U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 8,634 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-1160G7

The Core i7-1160G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,720 points. Launch price was $426.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1305U packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1160G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i3-1305U has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i3-1305U versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-1160G7 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-1305U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i3-1305U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i3-1305U scores 8,634 against the Core i7-1160G7's 8,720 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-1160G7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 1,758, a 10.9% lead for the Core i3-1305U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1305U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1160G7.

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i7-1160G7
Cores / Threads	5 / 6+25%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+33%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-30%	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U (2023)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	8,634	8,720
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,388	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960+11%	1,758
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1305U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1305U versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1160G7 — the Core i3-1305U supports 21.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1305U supports up to 96 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 200% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-1305U) vs 4 (Core i7-1160G7) — the Core i3-1305U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-U (Core i3-1305U) and Tiger Lake-UP3 (Core i7-1160G7).

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i7-1160G7
Socket	FCBGA1744	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5200+22%	LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity	96 GB+200%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+400%	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-1160G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1305U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1160G7). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1305U) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-1160G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1305U targets Budget Laptop, Core i7-1160G7 targets Premium Ultrabook/Tablet. Direct competitor: Core i7-1160G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i3-1305U	Core i7-1160G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Premium Ultrabook/Tablet