[Comparison] Intel Core i3-1215U vs Core i7-1165G7 – the Core i7 doesn’t care about your Hybrid architecture
With each new generation, Intel seems to further confuse their users, delivering more and more complex hardware that differs a lot. This started with Tiger Lake when Team Blue first released their U-series and H-series but then decided to split the latter into H35 and H45, which made no sense, as the H35 series was an underperforming mess, managing to get outclassed by much more efficient AMD chips.
Now, with Alder Lake, we have the U-series, P-series, and H-series, all three coming with different power limits. Today we have representatives from the two U-series, with the Core i3-1215U and the Core i7-1165G7, which have surprisingly close specs, especially for a Core i3 chip.
Today we are comparing the Intel Core i3-1215U against the Core i7-1165G7.
You can take a look at our Top Laptop CPU Ranking, where we showcase the best and the newest laptop processors.
You can find more information about both CPUs here: Intel Core i3-1215U / Core i7-1165G7
Specs table
| Intel Core i3-1215U | Intel Core i7-1165G7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U | Tiger Lake-U |
| Cores / Threads | 6/8 | 4/8 |
| Clock Speeds – Base/Boost | 0.90 – 4.40GHz | 2.80 – 4.40GHz |
| Cache | 10MB | 12MB |
| Lithography | 10nm | 10nm |
| TDP | 15W | 12/15/28W |
| Memory type | DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-5200 DDR4–3200MHz LPDDR4x–4266MHz | DDR4-3200MHz, LPDDR4x-3733MHz |
| Integrated GPU | Intel UHD Graphics (Alder Lake, 64EU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) |
CPU benchmarks
The Core i7 brings very strong CPU performance, scoring 56% higher in Cinebench 20 and being more than two seconds quicker in Photoshop.
De resultaten zijn afkomstig van de Cinebench R23 CPU-test (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
GPU benchmarks
With more Execution Units available, the Core i7-1165G7 wins out against the Core i3 in all GPU benchmarks, scoring 58% and 60% higher in 3DMark Fire Strike and Unigine Superposition, respectively.
De resultaten zijn van 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Hoger is beter.
De resultaten zijn van de 3DMark Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
De resultaten zijn van 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Hoger is beter.
De resultaten zijn van de Unigine Superposition benchmark (hoe hoger de score, hoe beter)
Gaming tests
| CS:GO | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings) | HD 1080p, MAX (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel UHD Graphics (Alder Lake, 64EU) – Core i3-1215U | 129 fps | 93 fps | 55 fps |
| Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) – Core i7-1165G7 | 198 fps (+53%) | 151 fps (+63%) | 81 fps (+47%) |
| DOTA 2 | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Normal (Check settings) | HD 1080p, High (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel UHD Graphics (Alder Lake, 64EU) – Core i3-1215U | 136 fps | 84 fps | 44 fps |
| Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU) – Core i7-1165G7 | 148 fps (+9%) | 107 fps (+27%) | 70 fps (+59%) |
Conclusion
While the Core i3 does present a slight core count increase, the Core i7-1165G7 still brings enough raw performance from both its CPU and iGPU. And we’re glad it does since it would be a real embarrassment for a Core i7 CPU to lose to a Core i3. However, when choosing a laptop with each of these chips, do your research into how the device itself performs. As most manufacturers do it all a little differently when it comes to cooling, you can have the same CPU perform way differently.
All laptops with the Intel Core i3-1215U:
All laptops with the Intel Core i7-1165G7:
Author: Severin Kolakov
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