Intel Core i5-1038NG7 vs Intel Core i5-8600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a consistent picture across every recorded Cinebench test: the Intel Core i5-8600 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with no victories recorded for the Intel Core i5-1038NG7. The margins are strikingly uniform, ranging from 14.0% to 14.3% depending on the test version and core-count methodology.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-8600 scores 855 against the i5-1038NG7's 750, a 14% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows a nearly identical gap: 120 versus 105, or 14.3% ahead. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the multi-core scores are 3564 versus 3125 (14% delta) and single-core scores are 503 versus 441 (14.1% delta). The most recent Cinebench R23 test continues the trend: multi-core 8486 versus 7441 (14% delta) and single-core 1198 versus 1050 (14.1% delta).

The consistency of these deltas is notable. A 14% to 14.3% advantage across three different Cinebench versions, in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, suggests the i5-8600's performance lead is structural rather than workload-specific. The i5-8600 also holds a higher average benchmark score of 2454 compared to 2398 for the i5-1038NG7, a 2.3% overall gap that includes the additional Geekbench scores recorded only for the mobile part.

Context from the nearest rivals helps interpret these numbers. The i5-8600 sits at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, with its closest competitor being the Intel Core i3-1125G4 at an average score of 2451 (only 0.1% behind). The i5-1038NG7 also lands at the 48th percentile, but its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U at 2413, which sits 0.6% above it. The i5-8600's closest rivals are all within 0.5% of its score, while the i5-1038NG7's nearest rival above it, the Intel Core i7-9850HE at 2421, is 0.9% ahead. This places both processors in the same broad performance tier, despite the i5-8600's consistent head-to-head wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families and are built for different market segments. The i5-8600 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, fabricated by Intel with a die size of 154 mm². It belongs to the Core i5 (Coffee Lake) generation and targets the desktop segment. The i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-U variant built on Sunny Cove-U cores, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a smaller die size of 123 mm². It targets the mobile segment.

Core and thread configurations differ substantially. The i5-8600 offers 6 physical cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i5-1038NG7 offers 4 physical cores but 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading. Despite having fewer physical cores, the mobile chip's thread count is higher, yet the desktop part still wins every multi-threaded benchmark. This indicates that the i5-8600's two additional physical cores outweigh the i5-1038NG7's hyper-threading advantage in these workloads.

Clock speeds also favor the desktop chip. The i5-8600 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The i5-1038NG7 reports a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) and a boost of 3.80 GHz. The i5-8600's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz partially explains its single-core lead, while its higher base clock contributes to sustained multi-core performance.

Cache hierarchies reveal further differences. The i5-8600 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 9 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1038NG7 has a larger L1 at 80 KB per core, the same 256 KB L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The desktop chip's 50% larger L3 cache likely benefits workloads with larger working sets.

Memory bandwidth differs notably. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the i5-8600 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s while the i5-1038NG7 achieves 51.2 GB/s. The mobile chip's higher bandwidth does not translate into a benchmark victory in the recorded tests, suggesting that Cinebench workloads are not bandwidth-limited for either processor.

PCIe and graphics configurations also diverge. The i5-8600 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-1038NG7 provides PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. Integrated graphics differ: the i5-8600 uses UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-1038NG7 uses Iris Plus graphics, a more capable integrated solution typical of premium mobile parts.

Power envelopes reflect their market positions. The i5-8600 has a TDP of 65 watts, appropriate for desktop cooling. The i5-1038NG7 has a TDP of 28 watts, designed for thin-and-light laptops. This 37-watt difference explains the mobile chip's lower clock speeds and helps contextualize its performance deficit.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i5-8600 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with margins between 14.0% and 14.3% across all Cinebench tests. No test favors the i5-1038NG7. For users prioritizing raw CPU performance in desktop workloads, the i5-8600 is the superior choice based on these measurements.

However, the architecture differences suggest distinct use cases. The i5-1038NG7 operates at 28 watts TDP, which is less than half the i5-8600's 65 watts. It also integrates Iris Plus graphics, which the i5-8600 lacks in favor of the more basic UHD Graphics 630. The mobile chip's higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) and larger L1 cache per core (80 KB versus 64 KB) indicate engineering priorities toward power efficiency and integrated graphics performance, not raw CPU throughput.

The i5-8600's 6 physical cores without hyper-threading deliver consistently higher Cinebench scores. The i5-1038NG7's 4 cores with 8 threads cannot match that output, even with its superior memory bandwidth. For desktop builds, workstation tasks, or any sustained multi-threaded workload, the data supports choosing the i5-8600.

The i5-1038NG7's advantage lies in its platform characteristics rather than benchmark scores. Its 28-watt TDP suits compact mobile designs, and its Iris Plus graphics provide stronger integrated visuals than the i5-8600's UHD Graphics 630. Buyers requiring a capable integrated GPU or operating within a strict power budget would find the i5-1038NG7 appropriate, but they would sacrifice approximately 14% CPU performance across all recorded tests.

Both processors occupy the same 48th percentile among all CPUs, reinforcing that they compete in a similar performance tier. The i5-8600's average benchmark score of 2454 exceeds its nearest rivals (the i3-1125G4 at 2451, Xeon D-1541 at 2447, i5-10500 at 2446) by narrow margins. The i5-1038NG7's average of 2398 trails its nearest rivals (Xeon E5-2630L v3 at 2409, Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U at 2413, i7-9850HE at 2421) by slightly larger margins. This contextual data reinforces the i5-8600's modest overall advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification. The i5-8600 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i5-1038NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz versus 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz), and boost clocks are 4.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. TDP ratings are 65 watts versus 28 watts. Sockets differ entirely: Intel Socket 1151 for the i5-8600, Intel BGA 1344 for the i5-1038NG7.

Architecture and process nodes diverge: Coffee Lake on 14 nm for the i5-8600, Ice Lake (Sunny Cove-U) on 10 nm for the i5-1038NG7. Die sizes are 154 mm² versus 123 mm². L1 cache per core is 64 KB versus 80 KB, L2 cache per core is identical at 256 KB, and L3 shared cache is 9 MB versus 6 MB. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s.

PCIe configurations differ: the i5-8600 specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-1038NG7 only specifies Gen 3 without lane count. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 versus Iris Plus. Market segments are Desktop versus Mobile. Release dates are 2018-02-13 versus 2020-05-03. The launch MSRP for the i5-8600 is $213, and for the i5-1038NG7 it is $320. Part numbers are SR3X0 versus SRG0V. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-8600 wins all single-core Cinebench tests. In R15 it scores 120 versus 105 (14.3% ahead), in R20 it scores 503 versus 441 (14.1% ahead), and in R23 it scores 1198 versus 1050 (14.1% ahead).

Q: How does the i5-1038NG7's higher thread count affect multi-core results?

A: Despite having 8 threads versus the i5-8600's 6 threads, the i5-1038NG7 loses all multi-core tests. In R15 the scores are 855 versus 750, in R20 they are 3564 versus 3125, and in R23 they are 8486 versus 7441, each showing a 14% advantage for the i5-8600.

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

A: The i5-8600 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-1038NG7 has a TDP of 28 watts. The mobile chip consumes less than half the power of the desktop part.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses. However, their memory bandwidth differs: the i5-8600 records 42.7 GB/s, while the i5-1038NG7 records 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-1038NG7 uses Iris Plus graphics, while the i5-8600 uses UHD Graphics 630. The Iris Plus solution is the more capable integrated GPU of the two.

Q: How do these processors rank among all CPUs?

A: Both sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs. The i5-8600 has an average benchmark score of 2454, while the i5-1038NG7 has an average of 2398.