Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Core i5-8600T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1125G4 and Intel Core i5-8600T represent two distinct philosophies in CPU design: a modern, power-sipping mobile part versus an older, higher-power desktop chip. The data in the database shows a clear overall winner, but the margins and the nature of the workloads reveal a nuanced picture. The i3-1125G4 wins all eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the i5-8600T holds its ground in multi-threaded scenarios thanks to its extra physical cores. This analysis will break down exactly where each processor excels, based strictly on the recorded measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are decisively in favor of the Intel Core i3-1125G4, which secures a win in every single recorded test. The most substantial victory comes in the Geekbench single-core test, where the i3-1125G4 scores 1461 against the i5-8600T's 1278, a staggering 14.3% difference. This is the largest delta between the two chips in any benchmark and indicates a major generational leap in single-threaded performance, likely due to the newer architecture and higher instructions-per-clock (IPC) efficiency of the Tiger Lake design.

The multi-core Geekbench test also shows a significant advantage for the mobile chip. The i3-1125G4 achieves a score of 4509, which is 5.4% higher than the i5-8600T's 4277. This is particularly interesting because the i5-8600T has six physical cores, while the i3-1125G4 only has four. The fact that the four-core, eight-thread i3-1125G4 can outperform the six-core, six-thread i5-8600T by such a margin in a multi-threaded test suggests that its Hyper-Threading technology and superior core efficiency more than compensate for the lack of two physical cores.

The Cinebench suite of tests tells a similar, though much closer, story. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i3-1125G4 scores 792 versus 784 for the i5-8600T, a marginal 1% win. The single-core R15 test is just as tight, with the i3-1125G4 scoring 111 against 110, a 0.9% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 and R23, where the i3-1125G4 wins by 0.9% in both single-core and multi-core tests. For example, in Cinebench R20, the i3-1125G4 scores 3301 in multi-core and 465 in single-core, while the i5-8600T scores 3270 and 461, respectively. In Cinebench R23, the scores are 7860 and 1109 for the i3-1125G4, versus 7787 and 1099 for the i5-8600T.

These Cinebench results are fascinating because they show that in more specialized, render-heavy workloads, the i5-8600T's two extra physical cores nearly erase the i3-1125G4's architectural advantage. The delta shrinks from the sizeable 14.3% seen in Geekbench single-core to under 1% in all Cinebench tests. This suggests that while the i3-1125G4 has a superior core design, the i5-8600T's additional cores provide a significant amount of raw multi-threaded horsepower that keeps it competitive.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core i3-1125G4 is the winner in every scenario where these benchmarks apply. However, the degree of its victory varies, which points to different strengths. The i3-1125G4 is the clear choice for tasks that demand high single-core performance. Its 14.3% lead in Geekbench single-core and consistent wins in all Cinebench single-core tests indicate that it will provide a snappier, more responsive experience in everyday applications, general productivity, and lightly-threaded workloads where a single core's speed is the limiting factor.

The i3-1125G4 also wins in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 5.4% lead in Geekbench multicore. This makes it the stronger option for content creation tasks like photo editing, video encoding, and software compilation, where the ability to handle many threads efficiently is paramount. The data shows that its combination of Hyper-Threading and a newer, more efficient core architecture allows it to outperform a chip with 50% more physical cores.

For the Intel Core i5-8600T, the "win" is a moral one. While it loses every benchmark, its performance is close enough in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests to be considered nearly equivalent in those specific rendering tasks. The 0.9% to 1% differences are within the range of run-to-run variance. Therefore, in a pure, heavily-threaded Cinebench-style rendering workload, the i5-8600T can be said to offer comparable performance. It does not win outright, but it prevents the i3-1125G4 from running away with the victory. Its six physical cores provide a solid foundation for multi-threaded performance that the i3-1125G4's four cores can only barely surpass.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core tasks?

A: The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is faster in every single-core test. It leads by 14.3% in Geekbench single-core (1461 vs 1278) and by 0.9% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests.

Q: How does the multi-core performance compare?

A: The Intel Core i3-1125G4 also wins all multi-core tests. Its biggest lead is 5.4% in Geekbench multicore (4509 vs 4277), while its smallest is 0.9% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore.

Q: Does the i5-8600T have any advantages?

A: The i5-8600T has more physical cores (6 vs 4) and a larger L3 cache (9 MB vs 8 MB). In multi-threaded Cinebench tests, its performance is nearly identical to the i3-1125G4, with differences under 1%.

Q: What is the performance difference in the Cinebench R23 tests?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i3-1125G4 scores 7860 and the i5-8600T scores 7787, a 0.9% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-1125G4 scores 1109 and the i5-8600T scores 1099, also a 0.9% difference.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, while the Intel Core i5-8600T has an average score of 2383. This places the i3-1125G4 2.9% higher on average.

Q: Are both CPUs considered end-of-life products?

A: Yes, the production status for both the Intel Core i3-1125G4 and the Intel Core i5-8600T is listed as "End-of-life."

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their core specifications, reflecting their different target markets and release dates. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is a mobile processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8600T is a desktop processor with 6 cores and 6 threads. The i3-1125G4 has a base clock of 2000 MHz, which is lower than the i5-8600T's 2300 MHz base clock. However, both CPUs share the same 3.70 GHz boost clock.

Their power envelopes are also drastically different. The i3-1125G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, whereas the i5-8600T has a TDP of 35 watts. This makes the i3-1125G4 far more power-efficient, a key advantage for laptops and other mobile devices. The socket types differ as well: the i3-1125G4 uses Intel BGA 1449, indicating it is soldered to the motherboard, while the i5-8600T uses the socketed Intel Socket 1151, which allows for upgrades and replacements.

Memory support also differs. The i3-1125G4 supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the i5-8600T only supports DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i5-8600T has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i3-1125G4. The integrated graphics are also different: the i3-1125G4 features Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i5-8600T has UHD Graphics 630. Finally, the i3-1125G4 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the i5-8600T supports the older PCIe Gen 3 standard with the same number of lanes.

Architecture Differences

These CPUs come from different architectural generations, which explains much of their performance gap. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is built on the Tiger Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node. Its codename is Tiger Lake-U, and it belongs to the Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) generation. The die size is 144 mm². Its cache hierarchy is structured with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

In contrast, the Intel Core i5-8600T is based on the older Coffee Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node. Its codename is also Coffee Lake. The die size is slightly larger at 154 mm². Its cache is configured differently, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a larger 9 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the i5-8600T has a smaller per-core L1 and L2 cache but a larger total L3 cache.

These architectural differences are the primary reason for the performance variations. The 10 nm Tiger Lake design is a newer, more advanced process that allows for higher transistor density and efficiency. The Willow Cove cores in the i3-1125G4 are designed for higher IPC compared to the older Coffee Lake cores in the i5-8600T. This explains the i3-1125G4's decisive 14.3% victory in the Geekbench single-core test, which is highly sensitive to IPC and clock speed. The i5-8600T's larger L3 cache and two additional physical cores help it close the gap in multi-threaded Cinebench tests, but they cannot overcome the fundamental efficiency and IPC advantages of the newer Tiger Lake architecture.

The Verdict

The data provides a clear, albeit one-sided, verdict. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 is the superior processor in every benchmark recorded in the database. For users who prioritize single-core speed for everyday responsiveness, light gaming, and general productivity, the i3-1125G4 is the unequivocal choice. Its 14.3% lead in Geekbench single-core over the i5-8600T is substantial and will be noticeable in real-world use.

For users who focus on multi-threaded workloads, the choice is still the i3-1125G4, but the rationale is different. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the i3-1125G4 still manages to outperform the i5-8600T in all multi-threaded tests, including a 5.4% lead in Geekbench multicore. This shows that the efficiency of the newer architecture and the benefits of Hyper-Threading are powerful tools. The i5-8600T, therefore, only makes sense for a very narrow use case where its specific combination of six cores and a larger 9 MB L3 cache is desired, and where its nearly identical Cinebench multi-core performance is the only metric that matters. In all other scenarios, the benchmark data points firmly to the Intel Core i3-1125G4 as the faster and more capable processor.