Intel Core i5-1334U vs Intel Core i7-8700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8700 and Intel Core i5-1334U represent two very different eras of Intel design, yet their aggregate benchmark scores place them nearly on top of each other. The i7-8700 averages 18,223 points, while the i5-1334U averages 18,154 points, a gap of only 0.4%. Both sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. However, this statistical tie masks a stark divergence in workload behavior: the older desktop chip wins on heavy multi-threaded sustained loads and specific instruction-heavy tasks, while the newer mobile chip dominates single-thread performance, encryption, and floating-point math.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i5-1334U comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 1,569 against the i7-8700’s 1,091, a 30.5% advantage. The single-core gap in that same test is even larger in percentage terms: 241 versus 153, a 36.5% lead for the mobile part. These are not incremental gains; they reflect a fundamental architectural leap in per-clock efficiency.

In Cinebench R20, the margin narrows dramatically. The i5-1334U wins multi-core with 4,638 over 4,548, a slim 1.9% edge, and single-core with 654 over 641, a 2% lead. This near-parity in R20 suggests that the i7-8700’s higher sustained power budget (65W vs 15W) begins to compensate for its older core design as the workload scales. The tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-8700 takes a commanding win: 10,829 versus 8,641, a 25.3% margin. The i5-1334U still wins R23 single-core, 1,727 to 1,528, an 11.5% lead.

The Passmark suite reveals a clear specialization split. The i7-8700 wins data compression decisively: 187,009 versus 150,568, a 24.2% margin. It also crushes the i5-1334U in extended instructions (12,432 vs 8,563, a 45.2% lead) and random string sorting (23,963 vs 16,933, a 41.5% lead). In physics, the i7-8700 ekes out a narrow 1.4% win, 732 to 722.

The i5-1334U dominates the remaining Passmark tests. Its most spectacular win is data encryption: 9,377 versus 4,488, a 52.1% blowout. Floating-point math goes to the mobile chip, 34,474 to 27,839, a 19.2% advantage. Integer math is closer but still favors the i5-1334U, 50,374 to 44,881, a 10.9% lead. The mobile part also wins find prime numbers (39 vs 35, a 10.3% edge), multithread (13,410 vs 12,756, a 4.9% lead), and single-thread (3,345 vs 2,629, a 21.4% margin). Overall, the i5-1334U wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-8700 wins 5.

Architecture Differences

The core counts tell the first story: the i7-8700 packs 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i5-1334U offers 10 cores and 12 threads. Both share the same 12 MB of shared L3 cache, but the per-core L1 and L2 allocations differ significantly. The i7-8700 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the i5-1334U has 80 KB of L1 and a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core. This larger L2 cache is a key reason the mobile chip excels in single-threaded and encryption workloads.

Manufacturing processes separate the two by a full node generation. The i7-8700 uses Intel’s 14 nm process and has a die size of 154 mm². The i5-1334U is built on a 10 nm process, with no die size listed. The newer node enables higher transistor density and better power efficiency, explaining how the i5-1334U achieves competitive multi-thread scores at a 15W TDP versus the i7-8700’s 65W.

Memory and I/O also differ. The i7-8700 supports only DDR4, while the i5-1334U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i7-8700 lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s; the i5-1334U does not list a bandwidth figure. PCIe lanes favor the desktop part: the i7-8700 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i5-1334U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The integrated graphics are different as well: the i7-8700 has UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-1334U has Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which is a more capable iGPU.

Socket compatibility is a hard divider. The i7-8700 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the i5-1334U uses Intel BGA 1744, a soldered mobile package. The i7-8700 is end-of-life and was released in October 2017; the i5-1334U is active and was released in January 2023. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: pick the Intel Core i7-8700 if your priority is sustained multi-core rendering or specific data-processing tasks. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 25.3%, data compression by 24.2%, extended instructions by 45.2%, and random string sorting by 41.5%. These are not marginal wins; they indicate that the desktop chip’s higher power envelope and older, simpler architecture are better suited for workloads that can saturate all cores for extended periods.

Pick the Intel Core i5-1334U if you need a mobile processor with superior single-thread performance and modern features. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 11.5%, Passmark single-thread by 21.4%, and data encryption by a massive 52.1%. Its 10-core design and larger L2 cache give it an edge in floating-point math (19.2% lead) and integer math (10.9% lead). The i5-1334U also supports DDR5 memory and has a more advanced integrated GPU, making it the better choice for a thin-and-light laptop.

The aggregate scores are nearly identical, but the workload profiles are not. The i7-8700 is a specialized sledgehammer for compression and instruction-heavy compute. The i5-1334U is a versatile all-rounder with a decisive single-thread edge. The i5-1334U wins more benchmarks (12 vs 5), but the i7-8700 wins the two most demanding multi-core tests by large margins.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8700 | Intel Core i5-1334U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 154 mm² | N/A |

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

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | N/A |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 8 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2017-10-04 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $303 | $340 |

| Part Number | SR3QS | SRML5 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i7-8700 has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

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

A: The largest delta is in Passmark data encryption, where the Intel Core i5-1334U scores 9,377 versus 4,488 for the i7-8700, a 52.1% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-8700 win any multi-core benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 10,829 points versus 8,641 for the i5-1334U, a 25.3% margin. It also wins Passmark physics, 732 to 722.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-1334U supports DDR5. The Intel Core i7-8700 supports DDR4 exclusively.

Q: Are the two processors socket-compatible?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-8700 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Intel Core i5-1334U uses Intel BGA 1744.

Q: Which processor has a higher launch MSRP?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U has a launch MSRP of $340, while the Intel Core i7-8700 has a launch MSRP of $303.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8700 is the clear winner for desktop workstations where multi-threaded rendering is the primary task. Its 25.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 24.2% lead in data compression make it the right choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, or archival compression jobs that run for minutes at a time. Its 45.2% advantage in extended instructions also points to specialized scientific or engineering workloads that use AVX-class instructions. The 41.5% win in random string sorting suggests it handles database or text-processing tasks more efficiently.

The Intel Core i5-1334U is the winner for any mobile workload that values responsiveness and modern features. Its 21.4% lead in single-thread performance means snappier app launches and better performance in lightly-threaded applications like web browsers or office suites. The 52.1% lead in data encryption makes it ideal for VPN software, full-disk encryption, or any security-focused task. Its 19.2% advantage in floating-point math benefits photo editing, audio processing, and simulations. The 10.9% lead in integer math helps with general productivity. Its 10-core design also gives it a 4.9% edge in Passmark multithread, making it a better all-rounder for mixed workloads.