Intel Core i5-7600K vs Intel Core i5-8300H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core i5-8300H wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-7600K takes the remaining two. The margin of victory tells a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

In the Cinebench suite, the i5-8300H is consistently ahead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the mobile chip scores 629 against 583 for the i5-7600K, a 7.9% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 88 versus 82, a 7.3% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-8300H posts 2622 multicore and 370 single-core, against 2432 and 343 for the i5-7600K, representing 7.8% and 7.9% leads respectively. The Cinebench R23 results continue the pattern: 6245 multicore versus 5792, and 881 single-core versus 817, both showing a 7.8% edge for the i5-8300H.

The i5-7600K fights back in Geekbench. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 4239 against 3920 for the i5-8300H, a 7.5% victory. The single-core Geekbench result is even more decisive: 1522 versus 1286, a 15.5% margin. These are substantial reversals, especially the single-core gap, which is roughly double the size of any advantage the i5-8300H manages in Cinebench.

The average benchmark scores reflect this near-total split. The i5-8300H averages 2005 across all recorded tests, while the i5-7600K averages 1976. The i5-8300H sits at the 45th percentile among all CPUs in the database, and the i5-7600K at the 44th. These are essentially adjacent positions, confirming that the two chips occupy the same performance tier despite their different design goals.

Looking at the nearest rivals for context, the i5-8300H is effectively tied with the Intel Xeon D-1712TR at 2004 average score (0% delta), the Intel Core i5-8400H at 2003 (0.1% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H at 2002 (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i5-8400T at 2001 (0.2% ahead). The i5-7600K sits just below the Intel Core i3-N305 at 1979 (0.1% behind), fractionally above the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 at 1973 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i7-10810U at 1971 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X at 1968 (0.4% ahead). Neither chip has a meaningful separation from its closest competitors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i5-8300H is a Coffee Lake-H part, built on the Coffee Lake architecture and the Coffee Lake-H codename, using the 14 nm process node. It belongs to the Core i5 (Coffee Lake-H) generation. The i5-7600K is a Kaby Lake part, using the Kaby Lake architecture and codename, also on the 14 nm node, from the Core i5 (Kaby Lake) generation.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-8300H has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-7600K has 4 cores and 4 threads. This makes the i5-8300H a Hyper-Threading part, effectively doubling its thread count over the i5-7600K. This explains the consistent Cinebench multicore advantage, as Cinebench scales well with additional threads.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The i5-8300H has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The i5-7600K runs at 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The desktop chip has a substantial clock advantage, which shows up in the Geekbench single-core result where the i5-7600K leads by 15.5%.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same per-core L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. The L3 cache, however, is 12 MB shared on the i5-8300H versus 6 MB shared on the i5-7600K. The mobile chip has twice the last-level cache, which helps in threaded workloads.

The i5-8300H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket and is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP. The i5-7600K uses the Intel Socket 1151, is a desktop part, and has a 91 W TDP. The i5-7600K draws roughly twice the power budget, which allows its higher clock speeds. The i5-8300H has an unlocked multiplier set to false, meaning it cannot be overclocked. The i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier set to true, meaning it is overclockable. The i5-7600K also carries part number SR32V versus SR3Z0 for the i5-8300H.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-8300H includes UHD 630 graphics, while the i5-7600K includes HD 630. Both support DDR4 memory and neither supports ECC. The i5-7600K specifies dual-channel memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-8300H does not list memory bus, bandwidth, or PCIe details in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-8300H wins in multithreaded rendering workloads across every Cinebench version recorded. The 7.8% to 7.9% multicore margins are consistent, suggesting the extra threads provide a steady advantage for content creation tasks that can use them. The R23 multicore score of 6245 against 5792 is the largest absolute gap in the Cinebench results. The i5-8300H also wins Cinebench single-core tests, though by a smaller margin of 7.3% to 7.9%, which is notable because the i5-7600K has higher clock speeds. The larger L3 cache and newer architecture likely compensate for the clock deficit in this specific benchmark.

The i5-7600K wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core where the 15.5% lead is the largest margin of any test in the comparison. The Geekbench multicore win of 7.5% is also meaningful, showing that in this workload, the higher clocks and desktop power envelope overcome the thread deficit. Users running Geekbench-style workloads, which often emphasize memory latency and single-thread responsiveness, would prefer the i5-7600K.

For threaded productivity, the i5-8300H is the stronger choice. For workloads that favor raw clock speed and single-thread performance, the i5-7600K leads. The i5-8300H also has the advantage of being an active production part versus the i5-7600K which is end-of-life, though the database shows the i5-7600K as active and the i5-8300H as end-of-life, so longevity status depends on which field is consulted.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload. The i5-8300H is the better processor for Cinebench-style rendering and any multithreaded application that can use 8 threads. Its six benchmark wins, all in Cinebench, come with consistent 7% to 8% margins. The i5-7600K is the better processor for Geekbench-style workloads, with a decisive 15.5% single-core advantage and a 7.5% multicore advantage in that test suite.

The average benchmark scores place the i5-8300H at 2005 and the i5-7600K at 1976, a difference of roughly 1.5%. The percentile rankings, 45th versus 44th, reinforce that these are closely matched overall. The i5-8300H's 8 threads and 12 MB of L3 cache give it a structural advantage in threaded workloads. The i5-7600K's higher base and boost clocks, 91 W power budget, and unlocked multiplier make it the choice for overclockers and those prioritizing single-thread speed.

For mobile users, the i5-8300H is the only viable option given its BGA 1440 socket and 45 W design. For desktop builders with Socket 1151, the i5-7600K offers higher clocks and overclocking headroom. The choice comes down to whether the workload is Cinebench-heavy or Geekbench-heavy. The data does not support calling either chip a universal winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-8300H wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, all in the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i5-7600K wins the 2 Geekbench tests.

Q: How big is the single-core Geekbench difference?

A: The i5-7600K scores 1522 versus 1286 for the i5-8300H, a 15.5% advantage. This is the largest margin in any recorded test.

Q: Does the i5-8300H have more threads?

A: Yes, the i5-8300H has 8 threads versus 4 threads for the i5-7600K, despite both having 4 cores.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i5-7600K has a 3.80 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost clock. The i5-8300H has a 2.30 GHz base clock and 3.90 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-8300H has 12 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-7600K has 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors overclockable?

A: No, only the i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-8300H has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8300H | Intel Core i5-7600K |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 91 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-H | Kaby Lake |

| Generation | Core i5 (Coffee Lake-H) | Core i5 (Kaby Lake) |

| Die size | 126 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD 630 | HD 630 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release date | 2018-04-01 | 2017-01-02 |

| Multiplier unlocked | false | true |

| Part number | SR3Z0 | SR32V |

| Avg benchmark score | 2005 | 1976 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 45 | 44 |

| Geekbench multicore | 3920 | 4239 |

| Geekbench singlecore | 1286 | 1522 |