Intel Core i5-1038NG7 vs Intel Core i5-9600 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 and the Intel Core i5-9600 are two end-of-life processors from different market segments—one a 28-watt mobile chip built for thin laptops, the other a 65-watt desktop part designed for mainstream towers. Despite their different physical forms, the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy, with the desktop i5-9600 taking every single head-to-head test. The i5-1038NG7, however, brings a newer architecture and a more advanced process node to the table, making it a more efficient choice for portable systems. The following analysis breaks down the exact scores, architectural differences, and use-case scenarios to help determine which processor fits which role.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The desktop chip relies on physical core count, while the mobile chip uses Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the i5-9600 in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-9600 wins all multi-core tests by a margin of roughly 8.5%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 8141 versus the i5-1038NG7's 7441, a delta of -8.6%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the scores are 3419 and 3125 respectively.

Q: Does the i5-1038NG7 have a single-core advantage?

A: No. The i5-9600 also wins every single-core benchmark, though by a similar margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-9600 scores 1149 against 1050, and in Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 482 against 441.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The i5-1038NG7 supports a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is higher than the i5-9600's 42.7 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4 memory and do not support ECC.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The i5-1038NG7 is built on Intel's 10 nm process, while the i5-9600 uses the older 14 nm node. The mobile chip also has a smaller die size at 123 mm², whereas the desktop part's die size is not listed.

Q: Do both processors feature integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The i5-1038NG7 includes Iris Plus graphics, while the i5-9600 includes UHD 630. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-9600 is the better performer in every benchmark category measured. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from -8.5% to -8.7% in favor of the desktop chip. For anyone building a desktop system and prioritizing raw compute, the i5-9600 is the clear choice. Its 6 cores and 6 threads outpace the 4-core/8-thread i5-1038NG7 by a consistent margin across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

The i5-1038NG7, however, serves a completely different purpose. It is a mobile processor with a 28-watt TDP, compared to the i5-9600's 65 watts. This lower power envelope, combined with the 10 nm process node and a newer Ice Lake architecture, makes it suitable for laptops where efficiency and integrated graphics matter more than raw multi-core output. The i5-1038NG7 also has a higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), which can benefit integrated graphics and memory-sensitive tasks.

In summary: pick the i5-9600 for a desktop that demands the highest benchmark scores. Pick the i5-1038NG7 only if the mobile form factor and lower power draw are non-negotiable, accepting a roughly 8.5% performance deficit across the board.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent, with the i5-9600 winning every test by nearly the same percentage. This uniformity suggests a fundamental advantage in raw execution throughput rather than a workload-specific edge.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-9600 scores 820 against 750, a delta of -8.5%. The single-core test shows a similar gap: 115 versus 105, or -8.7%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3419 for the i5-9600 and 3125 for the i5-1038NG7, a -8.6% difference. Single-core in R20 is 482 versus 441, again -8.5%.

The most modern test, Cinebench R23, reinforces the pattern. Multi-core results show 8141 for the i5-9600 and 7441 for the i5-1038NG7, a -8.6% delta. Single-core in R23 is 1149 versus 1050, also -8.6%. The i5-9600's margin is almost perfectly stable across all six tests, indicating that the 2-core advantage (6 vs 4) is not diluted by the i5-1038NG7's extra 2 threads.

The average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The i5-1038NG7 has an average score of 2398, which is actually higher than the i5-9600's 2354. This is because the mobile chip's benchmark suite includes Geekbench scores (multicore 4919, singlecore 1354), which are not present for the desktop part. When looking only at the shared Cinebench tests, the i5-9600 wins all of them.

Both processors sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, showing they are mid-pack performers. The nearest rivals for the i5-1038NG7 include the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 (avg score 2409, delta -0.5%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U (avg score 2413, delta -0.6%). The i5-9600's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v6 (avg score 2348, delta 0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X (avg score 2361, delta -0.3%).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ most significantly in core count, clock speeds, power consumption, and socket compatibility.

The i5-9600 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the i5-1038NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The desktop chip runs at a base clock of 3.10 GHz and boosts to 4.50 GHz. The mobile chip has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost of 3.80 GHz. These clock differences largely explain the single-core performance gap.

Power consumption is another major divider: the i5-1038NG7 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the i5-9600 is rated at 65 watts. The mobile chip uses an Intel BGA 1344 socket, whereas the desktop chip uses Intel Socket 1151. The i5-9600's PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-1038NG7 simply lists Gen 3.

Cache configurations also differ. The i5-1038NG7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-9600 has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger 9 MB of shared L3. The mobile chip's larger L1 is notable, though the desktop chip's extra 3 MB of L3 may benefit certain workloads.

Memory bandwidth favors the mobile chip: 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode and lack ECC. The i5-1038NG7 has a listed launch MSRP of $320; no launch price is provided for the i5-9600.

Architecture Differences

The i5-1038NG7 is built on Intel's Ice Lake architecture (codename Ice Lake-U), using the Sunny Cove core design. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process node with a die size of 123 mm². The i5-9600 uses the older Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake Refresh) on a 14 nm process, with no die size listed.

This architectural gap matters. The 10 nm node allows for higher transistor density and better power efficiency, which is why the i5-1038NG7 can deliver competitive performance at 28 watts versus 65 watts. The Sunny Cove microarchitecture also brings improvements in IPC (instructions per clock) over the older Coffee Lake design, but the i5-9600's higher clock speeds (4.50 GHz boost vs 3.80 GHz) more than compensate in these benchmarks.

The i5-1038NG7's integrated graphics are Iris Plus, a more capable GPU than the UHD 630 found in the i5-9600. This makes the mobile chip better suited for light gaming or media tasks without a discrete GPU. The mobile chip also has a smaller L1 cache per core (80 KB vs 64 KB), which is a counterintuitive advantage, but the desktop chip's larger L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB) helps maintain its lead.

Both processors are end-of-life, but the i5-1038NG7 was released later (2020-05-03) compared to the i5-9600 (2018-10-18). Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are made by Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9600 wins in every performance benchmark measured. It is the default choice for desktop users who need maximum multi-core throughput for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation. Its 6 physical cores and higher boost clock deliver a consistent 8.5% advantage in Cinebench tests, which translates to tangible speedups in heavily threaded applications. The higher TDP of 65 watts is irrelevant for desktop builds with adequate cooling.

The i5-1038NG7 wins in efficiency and platform suitability. Its 28-watt TDP makes it viable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is minimal. The newer 10 nm process and Ice Lake architecture provide better performance-per-watt, and the Iris Plus integrated graphics are superior to the UHD 630 for everyday graphics tasks. The higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s also gives it an edge in memory-sensitive workloads, even if the overall compute scores are lower.

In practical terms, the i5-9600 is for a desktop that will sit on a desk and crunch numbers. The i5-1038NG7 is for a portable system that needs to balance performance with battery life and heat dissipation. The data shows no scenario where the mobile chip beats the desktop part in raw compute, but the mobile chip's advantages in power, graphics, and memory bandwidth make it the right choice for its intended market segment.