Intel Core i5-1345UE vs Intel Core i9-8950HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a consistent picture: the Intel Core i5-1345UE wins every single head-to-head comparison recorded in the database. Across six Cinebench tests, the newer Raptor Lake part posts a uniform margin of approximately 6.3% in most workloads, with slightly larger gaps in the R15 suite.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1345UE scores 940 against 884 for the i9-8950HK, a 6.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar: 132 versus 124, a 6.5% lead. Moving to R20, the multi-core delta stays at 6.3% (3918 vs 3686), and the single-core test again shows 6.3% (553 vs 520). The R23 suite repeats the pattern: 9329 vs 8777 in multi-core, 1317 vs 1239 in single-core, both with a 6.3% gap.

What is striking is the consistency of the margin. The i5-1345UE does not merely edge ahead in one test; it maintains a nearly identical lead across all six recorded workloads. This suggests a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i9-8950HK, despite its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz on the i5, cannot close the gap.

The average benchmark scores confirm the trend. The i5-1345UE records an average score of 2698, placing it in the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i9-8950HK averages 2641, sitting at the 49th percentile. The delta is small in absolute terms, roughly 2.2%, but the direction is unambiguous: the newer part is faster in every measured scenario.

Looking at nearest rivals for context, the i5-1345UE sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-8700T (2701), the i7-1185G7E (2703), the Xeon E5-2640 v3 (2703), and the Xeon E-2226G (2709). The i9-8950HK, meanwhile, is essentially tied with the Core i7-5820K (2642), within 0.2% of the Xeon E-2274G (2643) and the Core i7-7740X (2648), and 0.1% ahead of the Core i7-1195G7 (2638). Neither chip dominates its immediate peers, but the i5-1345UE lands in a slightly stronger neighborhood.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-1345UE uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The i9-8950HK uses Coffee Lake, the Coffee Lake-H variant, on a 14 nm node. This process gap explains much of the efficiency difference: the newer 10 nm design achieves higher performance while drawing far less power.

Core counts differ significantly. The i5-1345UE packs 10 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i5 uses a hybrid configuration typical of Raptor Lake-U, with performance and efficiency cores, whereas the i9 is a homogeneous 6-core design. Despite having 4 fewer physical cores, the i9 still matches the thread count due to Hyper-Threading on all 6 cores, while the i5 only has 2 additional threads over its 10 cores, indicating that not all cores are multithreaded.

Cache hierarchies reflect the generational shift. The i5-1345UE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. The i9-8950HK has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, also with 12 MB of shared L3. The i5's larger per-core L2 is a notable improvement; at 1.25 MB per core, it offers roughly 5 times the L2 capacity of the i9's 256 KB per core. The shared L3 is identical in size, but the i5's architecture uses it more efficiently given the higher core count.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The i9-8950HK has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 1.40 GHz for the i5, and a slightly higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. Yet the i5 still wins every benchmark. This is a direct result of the architectural and process improvements: the i5 can sustain higher effective performance per clock, particularly in multi-threaded workloads where its 10 cores outweigh the i9's 6 cores.

Power envelopes differ dramatically. The i5-1345UE has a TDP of 15 W, while the i9-8950HK is rated at 95 W. That is a 6.3 times difference in thermal design power, yet the lower-power part is faster. The i9's high TDP reflects its older, less efficient 14 nm process and its unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking. The i5 is not multiplier-unlocked.

The i5-1345UE uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the i9-8950HK uses the older Intel BGA 1440. The i5 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the i9 is limited to DDR4. The i5 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, a feature absent from the i9's recorded specifications. Integrated graphics also differ: the i5 has Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the i9 has the older UHD 630.

Production status separates the two clearly. The i5-1345UE is listed as Active, released on January 3, 2023. The i9-8950HK is End-of-life, released on April 1, 2018. The i9's part number is SRCKN; the i5 has no recorded part number.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-1345UE outperforms the Intel Core i9-8950HK in every recorded benchmark. The margin is consistent, around 6.3% in most tests, with slightly larger gaps in R15 single-core (6.5%) and R15 multi-core (6.3%). This is not a marginal win; it is a systematic advantage across all Cinebench versions.

The i5 achieves this while consuming a fraction of the power. Its 15 W TDP versus 95 W for the i9 means the i5 delivers superior performance at roughly one-sixth the thermal budget. For mobile platforms, this is decisive. The i5 also has 10 cores versus 6, more L2 cache per core, support for DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 4, and a newer integrated GPU. It is active production, while the i9 is end-of-life.

The i9-8950HK retains one advantage: its higher base clock (2.90 GHz vs 1.40 GHz) and slightly higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 4.60 GHz). In workloads that are poorly threaded and highly clock-sensitive, the i9 might hold its own, but the benchmark data does not support this. Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the i5 wins by 6.3% to 6.5%.

The i9 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. In theory, a user could push the i9 beyond its stock clocks to exceed the i5's scores. However, the recorded data reflects stock performance, and overclocking would increase the already-high 95 W TDP further. The i5's 50th percentile ranking versus the i9's 49th percentile confirms that the i5 is the stronger part in the database's aggregate measurements.

For anyone choosing between these two today, the i5-1345UE is the rational pick. It is faster, newer, more efficient, and still in production. The i9-8950HK belongs to an older generation with no performance advantage in any measured test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1345UE has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i9-8950HK has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-1345UE scores 9329, and the i9-8950HK scores 8777. The i5 leads by 6.3%.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-8950HK has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, which is higher than the i5-1345UE's 4.60 GHz. Despite this, the i5 wins all single-core benchmarks.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The i5-1345UE has a TDP of 15 W, and the i9-8950HK has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the i5-1345UE supports DDR5 (in addition to DDR4). The i9-8950HK supports DDR4 only.

Q: Is the i9-8950HK still in production?

A: No. The i9-8950HK is marked as End-of-life, while the i5-1345UE is listed as Active.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1345UE wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It takes all six Cinebench tests, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23 versions. Its average benchmark score of 2698 exceeds the i9's 2641. The i5 also wins on architecture: 10 nm process versus 14 nm, 10 cores versus 6, 1.25 MB L2 per core versus 256 KB, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 4, and Iris Xe Graphics with 80 EUs versus UHD 630.

The Intel Core i9-8950HK has no recorded benchmark wins. Its strengths are limited to raw clock specifications: a base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, a boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.60 GHz, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. It also has a larger die size at 149 mm², though this is a physical attribute rather than a performance advantage. For users who prioritize the ability to manually overclock and who need a higher stock base clock for legacy software that scales poorly with core count, the i9 has theoretical appeal, but the measured data does not confirm any real-world win.

The use-case split is therefore one-sided. The i5-1345UE is the choice for virtually all modern workloads, especially those that benefit from multiple cores, lower power consumption, and newer platform features. The i9-8950HK is only relevant for scenarios where an unlocked multiplier and a higher base clock are absolute requirements, and even then, the i5's superior single-core benchmark scores argue against it.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The i5-1345UE has 10 cores and 12 threads; the i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the i5 and 2.90 GHz for the i9. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 4.70 GHz, respectively. TDP ratings are 15 W versus 95 W.

Sockets differ: Intel BGA 1744 for the i5, Intel BGA 1440 for the i9. The i5 uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process; the i9 uses Coffee Lake on 14 nm. The i9 has a recorded die size of 149 mm²; the i5 has no die size recorded.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The i5 has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 12 MB shared L3. The i9 has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, also with 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support: the i5 handles DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration; the i9 handles DDR4 only, with no memory bus information recorded. PCIe support: the i5 offers Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes; the i9 has no PCIe data recorded. Integrated graphics: the i5 has Iris Xe Graphics 80EU; the i9 has UHD 630.

The i9 is multiplier-unlocked and has part number SRCKN; the i5 is not unlocked and has no part number recorded. Release dates are January 3, 2023 for the i5 and April 1, 2018 for the i9. Production status is Active for the i5 and End-of-life for the i9. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has a recorded launch MSRP.