Intel Core i5-10500 vs Intel Core i5-8500B Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10500 and Intel Core i5-8500B are both 6-core Intel parts, but they target different platforms and deliver contrasting results across benchmark suites. The data shows a clear split: the i5-10500 dominates every Cinebench test, while the i5-8500B takes both Geekbench tests. This analysis breaks down the architectural differences, head-to-head numbers, and explains what the scores mean for each chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-10500 wins 6 out of 8 benchmark comparisons. It takes all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core variants), while the Intel Core i5-8500B wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: How much faster is the i5-10500 in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-10500 scores 8686 versus the i5-8500B's 7480, a delta of 16.1%. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar margin: 3648 versus 3141, also a 16.1% difference.

Q: What is the single biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multi-core, where the i5-8500B wins by 32.4%, scoring 4998 compared to the i5-10500's 3381. This is a massive swing in favor of the older chip.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 6 physical cores. However, the i5-10500 supports 12 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-8500B has only 6 threads (one per core).

Q: Are these processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 14 nm process. The i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake architecture, while the i5-8500B uses the older Coffee Lake architecture.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-10500 boosts up to 4.50 GHz, which is 0.40 GHz higher than the i5-8500B's 4.10 GHz boost clock. The base clocks are 3.10 GHz for the i5-10500 and 3.00 GHz for the i5-8500B.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of Intel's 14 nm roadmap. The i5-10500 is a Comet Lake part, while the i5-8500B is based on the earlier Coffee Lake architecture. This generational gap brings several key changes.

The most significant difference is thread count. The i5-10500 features 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading. The i5-8500B is a pure 6-core, 6-thread design without Hyper-Threading. This explains why the i5-10500 pulls ahead so consistently in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench.

Cache allocation also differs. The i5-10500 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8500B has 9 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes. The larger L3 cache on the i5-10500 likely contributes to its superior Cinebench single-core performance.

The socket and platform are entirely different. The i5-10500 uses Intel Socket 1200, a desktop LGA socket. The i5-8500B uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array typically soldered directly to a motherboard. This means the i5-8500B is not a drop-in upgrade for most users; it is designed for embedded or OEM applications.

Both chips share several characteristics. They both have a 65 W TDP, dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, and integrate UHD Graphics 630. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have a locked multiplier. The PCIe configuration is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The i5-8500B has a known die size of 154 mm², while the i5-10500 does not list a die size in the data. Production status also differs: the i5-10500 is listed as "Active," while the i5-8500B is "End-of-life."

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a fascinating picture of two processors that excel in different testing environments. The i5-10500 is the clear winner in Cinebench, while the i5-8500B dominates Geekbench.

Starting with Cinebench R15, the i5-10500 scores 875 in multi-core versus 753 for the i5-8500B, a 16.2% advantage. The single-core test shows a 16% delta, with scores of 123 and 106 respectively. These margins are consistent across the entire Cinebench suite.

Cinebench R20 continues the trend. The i5-10500 posts 3648 in multi-core, beating the i5-8500B's 3141 by 16.1%. In single-core, the scores are 514 versus 443, again a 16% difference. The R23 test mirrors these results almost exactly: 8686 versus 7480 in multi-core (16.1%) and 1226 versus 1056 in single-core (16.1%).

The consistency of these Cinebench deltas — hovering around 16% across all six tests — suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the i5-10500. The combination of higher clocks (3.10 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost) and double the thread count gives it a structural edge in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-8500B scores 4998, which is 32.4% higher than the i5-10500's 3381. The single-core Geekbench test also favors the i5-8500B, with 1407 versus 1117, a 20.6% delta.

This Geekbench reversal is striking. It shows that benchmark methodology matters enormously. While Cinebench rewards the i5-10500's extra threads and higher clocks, Geekbench appears to favor whatever architectural optimizations exist in the Coffee Lake design of the i5-8500B.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the two processors land nearly identically. The i5-10500 averages 2446, while the i5-8500B averages 2423. Both sit at the 48th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the i5-10500 include the Intel Xeon D-1541 (delta -0.1%) and Intel Core i5-8600 (delta -0.3%). The i5-8500B's closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U (delta -0.1%) and Intel Core i7-9850HE (delta 0.1%).

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced choice. If your workloads are dominated by Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the i5-10500 is the superior processor. It wins every Cinebench test by roughly 16%, thanks to its Hyper-Threading capability and higher clock speeds. The 12-thread design gives it a clear multi-core advantage, and even its single-core Cinebench scores are ahead by the same margin.

For Geekbench-centric workflows, the i5-8500B is unexpectedly stronger. It beats the i5-10500 by 32.4% in multi-core and 20.6% in single-core Geekbench tests. This is not a marginal win; it is a substantial reversal that suggests the Coffee Lake architecture handles Geekbench's specific instruction patterns more efficiently.

The production status is a key differentiator. The i5-10500 is still "Active," meaning it remains a viable choice for new builds on Socket 1200. The i5-8500B is "End-of-life" and uses a BGA 1440 socket, making it an impractical option for most desktop buyers. Its launch MSRP was $192, but its availability is limited by its soldered nature.

Users building a desktop system should strongly favor the i5-10500. It offers the better overall benchmark profile, active production status, and a standard LGA socket. The i5-8500B, while outperforming in Geekbench, is a niche part aimed at embedded designs. Its 6-thread limit and lack of modern platform support make it a hard sell despite its Geekbench victories.

The average benchmark scores are nearly tied — 2446 versus 2423 — and both sit at the 48th percentile. This indicates that for general-purpose computing, the two processors are broadly equivalent. The choice comes down to which benchmark suite you trust and which platform you need.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields:

• Threads: The i5-10500 has 12 threads, while the i5-8500B has 6.
• Base Clock: The i5-10500 runs at 3.10 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz for the i5-8500B.
• Boost Clock: The i5-10500 boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the i5-8500B reaches 4.10 GHz.
• Socket: The i5-10500 uses Intel Socket 1200, while the i5-8500B uses Intel BGA 1440.
• Architecture: The i5-10500 is Comet Lake, while the i5-8500B is Coffee Lake.
• Generation: The i5-10500 is listed as "Core i5 (Comet Lake)," and the i5-8500B is "Core i5 (Coffee Lake)."
• L3 Cache: The i5-10500 has 12 MB shared, while the i5-8500B has 9 MB shared.
• Die Size: The i5-8500B is listed at 154 mm²; the i5-10500 has no listed die size.
• Production Status: The i5-10500 is "Active," while the i5-8500B is "End-of-life."
• Release Date: The i5-10500 released on 2020-04-29, while the i5-8500B released on 2018-04-02.
• Part Number: The i5-10500 is SRH3A, and the i5-8500B is SRCX3.
• Launch MSRP: The i5-8500B had a launch MSRP of $192; the i5-10500 has no listed MSRP.