Core i7-1160G7 vs Xeon Gold 5122

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 i7-1160G7 vs Xeon Gold 5122 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 i7-1160G7 vs Xeon Gold 5122: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1160G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Xeon Gold 5122 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5122 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,720 vs 8,867).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 17 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $426 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5122 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 5122

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌600% higher power demand at 105W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1160G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5122 better than Core i7-1160G7?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 5122 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-1160G7 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 5122 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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, Xeon Gold 5122 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 5122 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon Gold 5122 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-1160G7 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.3% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-1160G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-1160G7 vs Xeon Gold 5122 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Gold 5122

The Xeon Gold 5122 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,867 points. Launch price was $1,221.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-1160G7 and Xeon Gold 5122 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-1160G7 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5122 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-1160G7 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-1160G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1160G7 scores 8,720 against the Xeon Gold 5122's 8,867 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon Gold 5122. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1160G7 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5122.

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon Gold 5122
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+200%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16.5 MB+38%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	4 MB+220%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	8,720	8,867+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,758	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1160G7 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5122 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1160G7	Xeon Gold 5122
Socket	FCBGA1598	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4x-4267	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1160G7) / not specified (Xeon Gold 5122). The Core i7-1160G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Xeon Gold 5122 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1160G7 targets Premium Ultrabook/Tablet. Direct competitor: Core i7-1160G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.