Intel Core i5-1038NG7 vs Intel Core i7-9850HE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9850HE and Intel Core i5-1038NG7 are both end-of-life mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows a clear and consistent winner. Across six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, the i7-9850HE wins every single test, with advantages ranging from 12.4% to 13.3%. This is not a marginal victory; it is a systematic performance sweep. The average benchmark scores confirm the gap, with the i7-9850HE posting 2421 versus 2398 for the i5-1038NG7, placing both at the 48th percentile among all CPUs. The data indicates that the i7-9850HE is the superior performer, but the two chips are built on fundamentally different architectures, which explains why the i5-1038NG7 remains competitive in specific contexts despite losing every benchmark.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i7-9850HE comes in single-core performance, where it leads by 13.3% in Cinebench R15 (119 vs 105) and by 12.5% in both Cinebench R20 (496 vs 441) and Cinebench R23 (1181 vs 1050). This consistent single-core advantage is significant because it indicates that the i7-9850HE’s higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to 3.80 GHz for the i5-1038NG7, translates directly into real-world application speed. The i7’s lead is not merely a product of its core count; it is faster even when only one core is engaged.

Multi-core results follow the same pattern, with the i7-9850HE winning by 12.4% in Cinebench R15 (843 vs 750) and by 12.5% in both Cinebench R20 (3515 vs 3125) and Cinebench R23 (8370 vs 7441). The multi-core margin is slightly narrower than the single-core margin, which makes sense given that the i5-1038NG7 compensates with a more modern 10 nm process and a higher memory bandwidth, but the i7-9850HE’s two additional cores and twelve threads prove decisive. The data shows a uniform 12.5% delta across the R20 and R23 tests, suggesting that the performance gap is stable and not workload-dependent within the Cinebench suite.

When placed against the broader market, both chips sit at the 48th percentile, but their nearest rivals reveal different competitive landscapes. The i7-9850HE’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-8500B, which scores 2423, a mere 0.1% ahead. The i5-1038NG7’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3, which scores 2409, a 0.5% lead. Notably, the two processors are rivals to each other, with the i7-9850HE leading the i5-1038NG7 by 0.9% in average score. This means that while the i7 wins every Cinebench test, the overall average benchmark score is closer, because the i5-1038NG7 has additional Geekbench results that are not available for the i7, pulling its average upward.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Core i7-9850HE is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR codename, using a 14 nm process from Intel. It features a die size of 149 mm² and uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 is based on Ice Lake, with the Sunny Cove-U microarchitecture, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. Its die is smaller at 123 mm², and it fits the Intel BGA 1344 socket.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i7-9850HE provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 9 MB L3 cache. The i5-1038NG7 offers a larger 80 KB of L1 per core, also 256 KB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3. The i5’s smaller L3 is a direct consequence of having fewer cores, but its larger L1 per core reflects the newer Sunny Cove design’s emphasis on reducing latency.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both support DDR4 and dual-channel memory, but the i5-1038NG7 has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 51.2 GB/s, compared to 42.7 GB/s for the i7-9850HE. The i5 also has a lower thermal design power (TDP) of 28 watts versus 45 watts, making it the more power-efficient option. Integrated graphics also differ, with the i7 featuring UHD Graphics 630 while the i5 ships with Iris Plus, a more capable integrated solution. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3, lack ECC memory support, and have locked multipliers, meaning neither can be overclocked.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE wins all multi-core tests. It leads by 12.4% in Cinebench R15 (843 vs 750), by 12.5% in Cinebench R20 (3515 vs 3125), and by 12.5% in Cinebench R23 (8370 vs 7441). This is attributed to its 6 cores and 12 threads versus the i5-1038NG7’s 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

A: No. The i7-9850HE wins every single-core test, with a 13.3% lead in Cinebench R15 (119 vs 105) and 12.5% leads in both R20 (496 vs 441) and R23 (1181 vs 1050). The i7’s higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 3.80 GHz is the likely factor.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-9850HE has an average benchmark score of 2421, while the i5-1038NG7 scores 2398. This places the i7 0.9% ahead of the i5 in the head-to-head comparison. Both chips sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What are the architectural generations of these two chips?

A: The i7-9850HE is built on the Coffee Lake architecture (14 nm process) with the Coffee Lake-HR codename. The i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake architecture (10 nm process) with the Sunny Cove-U microarchitecture.

Q: Is the i5-1038NG7 more memory efficient?

A: Yes. The i5-1038NG7 has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is significantly higher than the i7-9850HE’s 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which chip has a smaller physical footprint?

A: The i5-1038NG7 has a die size of 123 mm², compared to 149 mm² for the i7-9850HE. The i5 is also built on a smaller 10 nm process versus the i7’s 14 nm process.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-9850HE | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1344 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-HR | Ice Lake-U |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 149 mm² | 123 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Iris Plus |

| Release Date | Not specified | 2020-05-03 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $320 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-9850HE is the faster processor. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a minimum margin of 12.4% and a maximum of 13.3%. The i7’s higher core count, 6 vs 4, and its superior boost clock, 4.40 GHz vs 3.80 GHz, are the primary drivers of this performance advantage. For any workload that relies on raw CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i7-9850HE is the correct choice.

However, the i5-1038NG7 is not without merit. Its 10 nm process node, lower 28 W TDP, and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s point to a more modern and efficient design. The i5 also features a larger L1 cache per core and the newer Iris Plus integrated graphics. If power consumption or integrated graphics capability are the primary concerns, the i5-1038NG7 is the better engineering solution. The i7-9850HE, with its 45 W TDP and older 14 nm process, is a performance-first part that sacrifices efficiency.

The overall average benchmark scores are close, with the i7 leading by just 0.9%, but this is misleading because the i5 has additional Geekbench results that are not available for the i7. In the direct Cinebench comparison, the i7’s advantage is consistent and significant. The verdict is clear: the i7-9850HE wins on performance, while the i5-1038NG7 wins on efficiency and modern features.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-9850HE wins in:

• Multi-core rendering: It leads by 12.4% to 12.5% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The 6-core/12-thread configuration provides a substantial advantage for video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation workloads.
• Single-core performance: It leads by 13.3% in R15 and 12.5% in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. The higher 4.40 GHz boost clock ensures snappier response in lightly threaded applications like web browsing and office productivity.
• Overall CPU throughput: With an average benchmark score of 2421 versus 2398, it holds a 0.9% lead over the i5 in the direct head-to-head comparison.

Intel Core i5-1038NG7 wins in:

• Power efficiency: Its 28 W TDP is significantly lower than the i7’s 45 W, making it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are critical.
• Memory bandwidth: The 51.2 GB/s rating exceeds the i7’s 42.7 GB/s, which could benefit memory-intensive tasks that are not captured by the Cinebench suite.
• Integrated graphics: The Iris Plus GPU is a step above the UHD Graphics 630 in the i7, offering better performance for media playback and light gaming without a discrete GPU.
• Die size and process node: The 10 nm process and 123 mm² die size represent a more modern manufacturing approach, enabling the efficiency gains and smaller physical footprint.