Intel Core i5-1155G7 vs Intel Core i5-8600 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1155G7 and Intel Core i5-8600 represent two distinct design philosophies from Intel, separated by a mobile-first Tiger Lake part and a desktop-oriented Coffee Lake processor. The benchmark data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the older desktop chip across every Cinebench test, despite the newer mobile chip’s higher boost clock and newer process node. Both processors land in the same performance percentiles, with the i5-1155G7 at the 49th percentile of all CPUs and the i5-8600 at the 48th, making their overall average scores nearly identical at 2496 and 2454, respectively. This creates an interesting dynamic where architectural efficiency meets raw core count, with the data favoring the six-core desktop part in sustained workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-1155G7 has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-8600’s 4.30 GHz boost clock. Despite this advantage, the i5-8600 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: How do the two chips compare in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The i5-8600 has six physical cores but no hyper-threading, giving it six threads total. The i5-1155G7 has four physical cores with hyper-threading, providing eight threads. This makes the mobile chip more efficient at handling concurrent threads per core.

Q: What is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-8600 leads in multi-core tests by a consistent margin of 3.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-8600 scores 8486 versus the i5-1155G7’s 8155.

Q: Which CPU has a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The i5-1155G7 is built on a 10 nm process, while the i5-8600 uses a 14 nm process. The newer node contributes to the mobile chip’s lower 28W TDP compared to the desktop chip’s 65W TDP.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall benchmark standings?

A: Yes, they are very close. The i5-1155G7 sits at the 49th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 2496, while the i5-8600 sits at the 48th percentile with an average score of 2454. Their nearest rivals also overlap in score range.

Q: Do both processors support the same PCIe generation?

A: No. The i5-1155G7 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8600 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This gives the mobile chip a newer interface standard.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is between Tiger Lake and Coffee Lake. The i5-1155G7 uses the Tiger Lake-U codename with Willow Cove cores, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process. It features a smaller die size of 144 mm², which is notably more compact than the i5-8600’s Coffee Lake die at 154 mm². The mobile chip’s L1 cache is 80 KB per core and L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core, while the desktop chip has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. However, the i5-8600 compensates with a larger shared L3 cache of 9 MB versus the i5-1155G7’s 8 MB.

The i5-1155G7 integrates Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, a significant upgrade over the i5-8600’s UHD Graphics 630. Memory support also differs: the mobile chip accepts both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the desktop chip supports only DDR4. The i5-8600 lists a specific memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, a figure absent from the mobile chip’s specifications. The i5-1155G7 is an active production part with a launch MSRP of $309, while the i5-8600 is end-of-life with a launch MSRP of $213. The mobile chip’s socket is Intel BGA 1449, whereas the desktop chip uses Intel Socket 1151.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-8600 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, making it the clear choice for raw compute performance. Its six physical cores provide a 3.9% advantage in multi-threaded workloads across all three Cinebench versions. This advantage also extends to single-threaded tests, where it leads by 4.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (120 vs 115) and by 4.0% in R20 single-core (503 vs 483). For users running heavily threaded applications like video rendering or 3D modeling, the desktop chip’s extra two physical cores deliver measurable gains.

The i5-1155G7 wins in areas that are not benchmarked by Cinebench but are evident from its specifications. Its 10 nm process and 28W TDP make it far more power-efficient than the 65W desktop part, which is critical for thin-and-light laptops. The mobile chip also offers PCIe Gen 4 support, doubling the bandwidth of the older Gen 3 interface, and its Iris Xe graphics are substantially more capable than the UHD 630 for light gaming or media tasks. The LPDDR4X memory support further enhances its mobile flexibility.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals a clear split between mobility and desktop performance. The i5-1155G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i5-8600 has 6 cores and 6 threads, a base clock of 3.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The desktop chip’s higher base clock (3.10 vs 2.50) partially compensates for its lower boost, but the mobile chip’s extra threads help it manage concurrent tasks.

Power consumption differs dramatically: 28W for the i5-1155G7 versus 65W for the i5-8600. This is the largest spec gap, directly reflecting their intended markets. The mobile chip’s die size is 144 mm² versus 154 mm², and its process node is 10 nm versus 14 nm. Memory support shows the mobile chip accepting DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the desktop chip only takes DDR4. The i5-8600 lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, which the mobile chip does not specify. PCIe generation also differs: Gen 4 for the mobile chip and Gen 3 for the desktop chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a consistent pattern: the i5-8600 wins all six tests by a margin between 3.9% and 4.2%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the desktop chip scores 855 against the mobile chip’s 822, a delta of -3.9%. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap at -4.2%, with scores of 120 and 115. Moving to Cinebench R20, multi-core results are 3564 for the i5-8600 versus 3425 for the i5-1155G7 (-3.9%), and single-core results are 503 versus 483 (-4.0%).

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend: multi-core scores are 8486 for the i5-8600 and 8155 for the i5-1155G7 (-3.9%), while single-core scores are 1198 and 1151 (-3.9%). The largest single percentage gap is in R15 single-core at -4.2%, while the smallest is -3.9% in R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 both tests. This consistency suggests a stable performance advantage for the six-core desktop chip that is not workload-dependent. The i5-1155G7’s higher boost clock does not translate into a single-core win, indicating that the desktop chip’s higher base clock and older architecture deliver better per-thread performance in these tests.

The Geekbench scores for the i5-1155G7 are 4246 multi-core and 1574 single-core, but the i5-8600 does not have corresponding Geekbench scores in the data. This makes a direct Geekbench comparison impossible. However, the Cinebench suite provides a complete picture, showing the i5-8600 leading by roughly 4% across the board. This narrow but consistent margin means that for users who prioritize raw Cinebench performance, the desktop chip is the superior choice, while the mobile chip’s advantages lie elsewhere.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-8600 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, making it the stronger performer for compute-intensive tasks. Its six physical cores provide a 3.9% to 4.2% advantage over the i5-1155G7 across all Cinebench versions, and its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz helps it maintain lead even in single-threaded tests. For a desktop user running rendering, compiling, or other multi-threaded workloads, the i5-8600 delivers measurable gains, despite being an older 14 nm part.

However, the i5-1155G7 is not without its merits. Its 10 nm process, 28W TDP, and PCIe Gen 4 support make it the obvious choice for mobile platforms where power efficiency and modern connectivity matter more than raw Cinebench scores. The integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 is far more capable than the UHD 630, and LPDDR4X support adds flexibility. The data shows that the i5-1155G7 holds its own in percentile ranking (49th vs 48th) and average score (2496 vs 2454), indicating that its architectural efficiency nearly closes the gap with the desktop chip. Users who need a laptop processor with strong integrated graphics and low power draw should pick the i5-1155G7, while those building a desktop for maximum compute performance should choose the i5-8600.