Intel Core i5-1035G7 vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8709G and Intel Core i5-1035G7 are two mobile processors that, on paper, appear to target different segments of the laptop market, yet their benchmark results place them in an almost identical performance tier. The data shows a statistical dead heat, with the i7-8709G winning all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons by margins of 0.0% to 0.1%. Both CPUs share the 44th percentile ranking among all tested processors and have average benchmark scores within two points of each other (1950 vs 1948). This creates an unusual situation where architectural differences and power envelopes matter more than raw benchmark output.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a nearly uniform performance profile, but subtle distinctions emerge when examining the specific workloads. The Intel Core i7-8709G claims victory in every single head-to-head test, though the margins are negligible. In multi-core workloads, the i7-8709G edges ahead by 0.1% in Cinebench R15 (679 vs 678), Cinebench R20 (2832 vs 2829), and Cinebench R23 (6743 vs 6736). These differences are within run-to-run variance, yet they consistently favor the Kaby Lake-G part.

The single-core results are even tighter. Both processors score 95 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 399 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and the i7-8709G leads by a single point in Cinebench R23 single-core (952 vs 951). The i5-1035G7 does not win any of the six comparisons, but its scores are close enough that the practical difference is negligible for most applications. The i7-8709G's advantage, while consistent, is best described as a statistical tie rather than a functional lead.

The real differentiation lies outside the Cinebench suite. The i7-8709G integrates a Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics solution, which represents a significant deviation from the i5-1035G7's Iris Plus integrated graphics. For workloads that leverage GPU acceleration—such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or light gaming—the i7-8709G's discrete-class graphics capability gives it a clear edge that the CPU benchmarks do not capture. Conversely, the i5-1035G7's 15W TDP compared to the i7-8709G's 65W TDP makes it the more efficient choice for thermally constrained thin-and-light laptops.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct Intel design philosophies separated by a full node generation. The i7-8709G is built on Kaby Lake architecture using Intel's 14 nm process, while the i5-1035G7 employs the newer Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm node. This generational gap explains the i5-1035G7's dramatically lower power consumption: its 15W TDP is less than a quarter of the i7-8709G's 65W TDP, yet it delivers nearly identical Cinebench scores.

Core configurations are identical on paper—both have 4 cores and 8 threads—but the cache hierarchies differ. The i7-8709G provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1035G7 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a smaller 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-1035G7's larger L1 cache partially compensates for its reduced L3 capacity, contributing to its competitive single-thread performance despite a lower boost clock.

Clock speeds further illustrate the trade-off between power and performance. The i7-8709G runs at a 3.10 GHz base clock with a 4.10 GHz boost, while the i5-1035G7 has a 1200.00 MHz base clock and a 3.70 GHz boost. The i5-1035G7's unusually low base clock is a power-saving measure, relying on boost frequencies to deliver performance when needed. The i7-8709G's higher sustained clocks are made possible by its much larger power budget.

Memory and I/O support also differ. The i5-1035G7 specifies dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and Gen 3 PCIe, while the i7-8709G lists DDR4 support without specific bandwidth or PCIe details. The i5-1035G7's die size is listed at 123 mm², whereas no die size is provided for the i7-8709G. The i7-8709G uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, while the i5-1035G7 fits the Intel BGA 1526 socket, confirming they are not interchangeable platforms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six Cinebench comparisons tell a story of remarkable parity. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8709G scores 679 against the i5-1035G7's 678, a 0.1% delta. The single-core R15 test produces identical 95-point scores for both processors, resulting in a 0% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap remains at 0.1% with scores of 2832 and 2829. The R20 single-core test again shows a tie at 399 points.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results follow the same pattern. The i7-8709G achieves 6743 in multi-core versus 6736 for the i5-1035G7, another 0.1% margin. In single-core, the i7-8709G posts 952 compared to 951, a 0.1% advantage. The i7-8709G wins all six tests, but the aggregate picture is one of near-identical rendering performance across three generations of Cinebench.

These results are consistent with the average benchmark scores reported for each processor. The i7-8709G has an average score of 1950, while the i5-1035G7 sits at 1948, a 0.1% difference. In the nearest rivals comparison, the i7-8709G's closest competitor is the i5-1035G7 itself, with a delta of 0.1%. The i5-1035G7's closest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 at 0.1% delta, followed by the i7-8709G at -0.1%. Both processors also sit within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE and the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5, placing them in a tightly clustered performance band.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: these processors are performance equivalents in CPU-bound workloads, and selection should be driven by platform requirements rather than benchmark scores. The i7-8709G holds a 6-0 head-to-head record, but its largest win is 0.1%. No application will meaningfully distinguish between 6743 and 6736 in Cinebench R23 multi-core or between 952 and 951 in single-core.

The i7-8709G is the appropriate choice for systems that can accommodate its 65W TDP and benefit from its Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics. This processor targets mobile workstations and gaming laptops where GPU performance is a priority and power consumption is less critical. The i5-1035G7, with its 15W TDP and Ice Lake architecture, suits ultraportable designs that prioritize battery life and thermal efficiency while still delivering competitive CPU performance.

Neither processor shows a meaningful advantage in raw compute, and both share the 44th percentile ranking. The i5-1035G7's 10 nm process and larger 80 KB L1 cache per core represent a more modern design, but the i7-8709G's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz and larger 8 MB L3 cache offset those advantages. For users who value CPU performance alone, the choice is immaterial. For those who need integrated graphics beyond basic display output, the i7-8709G's Radeon solution is the differentiator.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-1035G7 boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Q: What is the power consumption difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i5-1035G7 has a TDP of 15W, making the i5-1035G7 significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-8709G and Intel Core i5-1035G7 have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-1035G7 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor use?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G integrates Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, while the Intel Core i5-1035G7 uses Iris Plus graphics.

Q: How large is the benchmark score difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G scores 6743 and the Intel Core i5-1035G7 scores 6736, a difference of 0.1%.