Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-8500B Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the Intel Core i3-1125G4 and the Intel Core i5-8500B: the i3-1125G4 dominates in rendering workloads and single-core tests, while the i5-8500B takes a decisive lead in one multi-core test. The i3-1125G4 wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons, but the single loss is significant enough to define distinct use cases for each processor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is the clear winner in Cinebench testing, taking all six rounds. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-1125G4 scores 792 against the i5-8500B’s 753, a 5.2% advantage. The single-core margin is nearly identical: the i3-1125G4 posts 111 versus 106, a 4.7% lead. This pattern holds through the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the i3-1125G4 scores 3301 versus 3141, a 5.1% edge, and in single-core it leads 465 to 443, a 5% margin. The R23 results confirm the trend: 7860 versus 7480 in multi-core (5.1% ahead) and 1109 versus 1056 in single-core (5% ahead).

The i3-1125G4 also wins Geekbench single-core, scoring 1461 against 1407, a 3.8% advantage. However, the i5-8500B strikes back hard in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 4998 against the i3-1125G4’s 4509. That is a 9.8% deficit for the i3-1125G4 — the largest delta in the entire comparison, and it flips the narrative for certain workloads.

The average benchmark score tells a slightly different story. The i3-1125G4 averages 2451, while the i5-8500B averages 2423, a difference of less than 1.2%. Both processors sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistical peers in overall performance despite their divergent results in specific tests. The nearest rivals for the i3-1125G4 include the Intel Core i5-8600 (average 2454, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Xeon D-1541 (average 2447, delta 0.1%), while the i5-8500B sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U (average 2424, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-9850HE (average 2421, delta 0.1%). Both chips are firmly in the mid-range performance tier.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict: the Intel Core i3-1125G4 is the better processor for rendering and single-threaded tasks, while the Intel Core i5-8500B is the better choice for multi-threaded general computing that mirrors the Geekbench workload. The i3-1125G4’s sweep of every Cinebench test — with margins consistently around 5% — indicates a fundamentally stronger architecture for sustained computational workloads. Its single-core wins across both Cinebench and Geekbench (1461 versus 1407) further cement its lead in responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications.

However, the i5-8500B’s 9.8% victory in Geekbench multi-core cannot be dismissed. That test rewards the i5-8500B’s two additional physical cores (6 versus 4) and higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz). For users whose primary applications resemble that benchmark pattern — many concurrent, moderately complex tasks — the i5-8500B will feel faster. The i3-1125G4’s win count of 7 out of 8 is impressive, but the magnitude of the single loss suggests that the i5-8500B is not obsolete. Pick the i3-1125G4 for rendering, compilation, and any workload that scales well with modern instructions per clock. Pick the i5-8500B for heavily parallel, memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks where its physical core count and higher clock speeds shine.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-8500B uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process advantage explains the i3-1125G4’s superior single-core performance despite its lower base clock (2.00 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) and boost clock (3.70 GHz versus 4.10 GHz).

The core configurations differ fundamentally. The i3-1125G4 has 4 cores and 8 threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading, while the i5-8500B has 6 cores and 6 threads with no Hyper-Threading. This gives the i3-1125G4 a thread count advantage (8 versus 6) that helps it compete despite fewer physical cores. The cache layouts also differ: the i3-1125G4 has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3, while the i5-8500B has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 9 MB of shared L3. The i5-8500B’s larger L3 (9 MB versus 8 MB) and higher per-core L2 efficiency (256 KB versus 1.25 MB per core, though the i3’s L2 is shared differently) reflect its desktop-oriented design.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-1125G4 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i5-8500B has UHD Graphics 630. The memory controller on the i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, whereas the i5-8500B supports only DDR4. PCIe support also differs: the i3-1125G4 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8500B offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The specifications that differ between the two processors are substantial. The i3-1125G4 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i5-8500B runs at 3.00 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i5-8500B is faster on paper, but the i3-1125G4’s newer architecture compensates in benchmark results.

The thermal design power (TDP) differs dramatically: the i3-1125G4 is rated at 15 watts, while the i5-8500B is rated at 65 watts. This makes the i3-1125G4 a mobile-oriented chip (BGA 1449 socket) and the i5-8500B a desktop-oriented chip (BGA 1440 socket). The i3-1125G4’s die size is 144 mm², while the i5-8500B’s is 154 mm². Memory bandwidth is specified only for the i5-8500B at 42.7 GB/s; the i3-1125G4’s bandwidth is not listed.

The launch MSRP differs: the i3-1125G4 launched at $281, while the i5-8500B launched at $192. The release dates also differ: the i3-1125G4 came out on 2021-03-30, while the i5-8500B was released on 2018-04-02. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers. The part numbers are SRK8S for the i3-1125G4 and SRCX3 for the i5-8500B.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i3-1125G4 wins with a score of 7860, versus 7480 for the Intel Core i5-8500B, a 5.1% advantage.

Q: Why does the Intel Core i5-8500B win Geekbench multi-core?

A: The i5-8500B scores 4998 versus the i3-1125G4’s 4509, a 9.8% margin. This aligns with its 6 physical cores versus 4, and its higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for both processors?

A: The i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, while the i5-8500B has an average of 2423. Both sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, compared to the Intel Core i5-8500B’s 65 watts, making the i3-1125G4 far more power-efficient.

Q: What is the memory support difference between the two?

A: The i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i5-8500B supports only DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: How does single-core performance compare in Geekbench?

A: The i3-1125G4 scores 1461, beating the i5-8500B’s 1407 by 3.8%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 wins in every Cinebench scenario — R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core — with deltas ranging from 4.7% to 5.2%. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 3.8%. This makes it the superior choice for rendering workloads, 3D modeling, video encoding, and any application that relies heavily on single-threaded performance or benefits from the newer Tiger Lake instruction set. Its 15-watt TDP also makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices where power efficiency is critical.

The Intel Core i5-8500B wins Geekbench multi-core by a decisive 9.8%, indicating its strength in workloads that scale with physical core count and raw clock speed. Tasks like software compilation, data processing, and multitasking with many concurrent applications will favor the i5-8500B. Its higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) and boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz) also give it an edge in sustained multi-threaded operations that don’t benefit from the i3-1125G4’s architectural improvements. The i5-8500B’s larger L3 cache (9 MB versus 8 MB) and specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s further support this role.

In summary, the i3-1125G4 is a modern, efficient chip that wins the majority of benchmarks, while the i5-8500B remains competitive in specific multi-threaded scenarios. The data shows a 7-to-1 win ratio, but the magnitude of the i5-8500B’s single victory is enough to justify its existence for the right workload.