Core i5-1038NG7 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 i5-1038NG7 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 i5-1038NG7 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 i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 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.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.

Core i7-1160G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,720 vs 8,823).
❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1160G7 better than Core i5-1038NG7?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1160G7 is ahead with a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-1160G7 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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 $426 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-1038NG7 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1038NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i7-1160G7 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

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

Both the Core i5-1038NG7 and Core i7-1160G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-1160G7 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-1160G7 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Core i7-1160G7's 8,720 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,758, a 33.8% lead for the Core i7-1160G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1160G7.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-1160G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2 GHz+67%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	10 nm	10 nm SuperFin
Architecture	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	8,823+1%	8,720
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	1,758+41%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1160G7 — the Core i7-1160G7 supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-1038NG7 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-1038NG7) vs 4 (Core i7-1160G7) — the Core i5-1038NG7 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-1160G7
Socket	FCBGA1344	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733	LPDDR4x-4267+14%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) 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 i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop, Core i7-1160G7 targets Premium Ultrabook/Tablet. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U; Core i7-1160G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-1160G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G7	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Premium Ultrabook/Tablet