Intel Core i5-1035G4 vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1035G4 and Intel Core i7-8706G are both mobile processors with identical core and thread counts, yet they represent distinct design philosophies. The data shows a remarkably consistent performance relationship between them, with the i5-1035G4 holding a narrow but uniform lead across every benchmark tested. Each chip occupies the 42nd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are separated by a mere 19 points (1861 vs 1842), indicating that these are closely matched competitors despite their architectural differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a picture of near-identical performance, with the Intel Core i5-1035G4 winning all six head-to-head comparisons by a margin of 1.1% in most cases. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1035G4 scores 648 against the i7-8706G's 641, a lead of 1.1%. The single-core test in R15 shows the same pattern: 91 versus 90, again a 1.1% advantage for the i5.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the results remain consistent. The i5-1035G4 posts 2703 in multi-core versus 2674 for the i7-8706G, while single-core shows 381 against 377. Both differences translate to a 1.1% edge for the i5-1035G4. This consistency suggests the performance gap is systematic rather than workload-specific.

The newest benchmark, Cinebench R23, narrows the gap slightly. Multi-core results show 6436 for the i5-1035G4 versus 6368 for the i7-8706G, still a 1.1% difference. Single-core in R23 shows 908 versus 899, which is a 1% margin. While the i5-1035G4 wins every test, the margins are tight enough that real-world differences would likely be imperceptible to most users.

The i7-8706G's closest rival in its benchmark group is the Intel Core i5-7600, with a deltaPct of -0.1%. Meanwhile, the i5-1035G4's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-9350K at -0.3%. These comparisons underscore how close these two processors are to a wider field of desktop and mobile parts.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no benchmark category where the i7-8706G manages to outscore the i5-1035G4. The i5-1035G4 claims victory in every single-core and multi-core test across all three Cinebench versions. This means the i5-1035G4 is uniformly faster in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads.

However, the i7-8706G's strength lies not in raw CPU benchmarks but in its integrated graphics solution. While the CPU side is consistently slightly behind, the i7-8706G pairs its processing cores with Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics. The i5-1035G4 instead relies on Iris Plus graphics. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so the impact of this difference remains outside the measured results.

For users prioritizing CPU compute, the i5-1035G4 is the clear choice based on the data. For those who need stronger integrated graphics performance, the i7-8706G's Radeon RX Vega M GL offers a potential advantage that the CPU benchmarks do not quantify. The i5-1035G4's wins are consistent but marginal, ranging from 1% to 1.1% depending on the test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and process nodes. The i5-1035G4 is built on Ice Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node, while the i7-8706G uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. The i5-1035G4 has a die size of 123 mm², whereas the i7-8706G's die size is not listed in the data.

Cache configurations differ notably between the two. The i5-1035G4 features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, while the i7-8706G has 64 KB per core. Both share 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is larger on the i7-8706G at 8 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i5-1035G4. This 2 MB difference in L3 could theoretically benefit the i7-8706G in cache-sensitive workloads, yet the benchmark results do not show it overcoming the i5-1035G4's lead.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The i7-8706G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, significantly higher than the i5-1035G4's 1.10 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Despite the i7-8706G's higher clocks, the i5-1035G4 still manages to win every benchmark, suggesting that the Ice Lake architecture's efficiency and IPC improvements offset the clock speed disadvantage.

Power consumption is another major divider. The i5-1035G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i7-8706G draws 65 watts. This four-fold difference in thermal design power is substantial, indicating the i5-1035G4 achieves comparable performance at a fraction of the power envelope. Both processors use the Intel BGA socket family, but with different specific sockets: BGA 1526 for the i5-1035G4 and BGA 2270 for the i7-8706G.

The Verdict

Based strictly on CPU benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-1035G4 is the superior processor. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons with margins between 1% and 1.1%. Users seeking maximum multi-core performance for rendering or compilation should choose the i5-1035G4, as its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6436 edges out the i7-8706G's 6368.

The i7-8706G's case rests on factors outside the measured benchmarks. Its Radeon RX Vega M GL integrated graphics likely provides considerably stronger GPU performance than the i5-1035G4's Iris Plus solution, which could matter for light gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads. Additionally, the i7-8706G's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz could theoretically benefit bursty workloads, though the data does not reflect this advantage.

The i5-1035G4's 15-watt TDP versus the i7-8706G's 65-watt TDP makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermals and battery life are critical. The performance parity at such a dramatic power difference is the most striking finding in this comparison. For most users, the i5-1035G4 is the rational choice: it matches or slightly beats the i7-8706G in CPU performance while consuming much less power.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins all multi-core tests, scoring 648 versus 641 in Cinebench R15, 2703 versus 2674 in R20, and 6436 versus 6368 in R23. Each victory represents a 1.1% margin.

Q: Does the i7-8706G win any benchmark?

A: No. The data shows the i5-1035G4 winning all six head-to-head benchmarks, with zero wins recorded for the i7-8706G.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The i7-8706G has a much higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 1.10 GHz for the i5-1035G4, and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. Despite this, the i5-1035G4 still outperforms it in every tested workload.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i5-1035G4 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i7-8706G has a TDP of 65 watts. The i5-1035G4 achieves higher benchmark scores while consuming less than a quarter of the power.

Q: Do these processors have different cache configurations?

A: Yes. The i5-1035G4 has 80 KB L1 cache per core versus 64 KB for the i7-8706G, and 6 MB shared L3 versus 8 MB shared L3. Both have 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What integrated graphics do they use?

A: The i5-1035G4 uses Iris Plus graphics, while the i7-8706G uses Radeon RX Vega M GL. The benchmark data does not include graphics performance tests.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1035G4 | Intel Core i7-8706G |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 1100.00 MHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | Intel BGA 2270 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-U | Kaby Lake G |

| Generation | Core i5 (Sunny Cove-U) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not specified |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Plus | Radeon RX Vega M GL |

| Release Date | 2019-07-31 | 2018-01-31 |

| Part Number | SRGKK | Not specified |