Intel Core i5-7600K vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7600K and Intel Core i7-8709G are both 14 nm Kaby Lake processors, but they serve different markets. The i5 is a desktop chip with four cores and four threads, while the i7 is a mobile chip with four cores and eight threads. In the database's head-to-head Cinebench suite, the i7-8709G wins all six tests, with margins ranging from 13.7% to 14.2%. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, specification differences, and architectural choices.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison covers six Cinebench tests, and the i7-8709G takes every one. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 679 against the i5's 583, a 14.1% lead. The single-core test shows 95 versus 82, a 13.7% advantage. Moving to R20, the i7 posts 2832 multi-core and 399 single-core, while the i5 manages 2432 and 343, with deltas of 14.1% and 14% respectively. In R23, the i7 reaches 6743 multi-core and 952 single-core, versus 5792 and 817 for the i5, giving deltas of 14.1% and 14.2%. The i7 wins all six head-to-head tests, with no wins for the i5.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across every test, the i7 leads by roughly 14%, suggesting a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i5 does have Geekbench scores in the database: 4239 multi-core and 1522 single-core. The i7 lacks those entries, so they are not part of the head-to-head comparison. The i5's average benchmark score is 1976, while the i7's is 1950, but that average includes different test sets, so it is not a direct apples-to-apples measure.

Both processors sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i5's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-N305, which averages 1979, a 0.1% difference. The i7's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE, averaging 1954, a 0.2% difference. These close margins indicate that both chips are in a similar performance tier, despite the i7's clear lead in the Cinebench suite. The i5 also sits near the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 (1973, 0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core i7-10810U (1971, 0.3% ahead), while the i7 is close to the Intel Core i5-1035G7 (1948, 0.1% ahead) and the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 (1947, 0.2% ahead). These rival comparisons reinforce that both chips occupy a mid-range performance band, with the i7 edging ahead in the tested workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8709G wins every head-to-head benchmark, so the i5-7600K has no direct wins. However, the two chips have different strengths based on their specifications. The i7 has eight threads versus four, and a larger 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB, which helps in multi-threaded workloads. The i5 has higher base and boost clocks (3.80 GHz and 4.20 GHz versus 3.10 GHz and 4.10 GHz) and an unlocked multiplier, so it offers overclocking headroom, though the data shows it still trails in single-core tests. The i7 also has a lower TDP of 65 W versus 91 W, making it more power-efficient. The i7 integrates a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, while the i5 has Intel HD 630, so the i7 is better suited for graphics tasks. The i7 is a mobile part, while the i5 is desktop, so the i5 fits into upgradeable desktop systems, while the i7 is typically soldered into laptops.

For users prioritizing raw compute in Cinebench, the i7 is the clear choice. For those who value overclocking flexibility and a desktop socket, the i5 offers that path, even if its stock performance is lower. The i7's extra threads and larger cache make it a better fit for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel workloads. The i5's higher clock speeds and unlocked multiplier could appeal to enthusiasts who plan to push the chip beyond stock settings, but the recorded data shows that even at stock, the i7 holds a consistent lead.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G scores 6743, while the Intel Core i5-7600K scores 5792, a 14.1% difference.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The i5-7600K has 4 threads, while the i7-8709G has 8 threads.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds?

A: The i5-7600K runs at 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The i7-8709G runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-8709G has 8 MB shared L3, while the i5-7600K has 6 MB shared L3.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-8709G is locked.

Q: What integrated graphics do they feature?

A: The i5-7600K includes Intel HD 630, while the i7-8709G includes Radeon RX Vega M GH.

Specification Differences

| Specification | i5-7600K | i7-8709G |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 91 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 2270 |

| Codename | Kaby Lake | Kaby Lake G |

| Generation | Core i5 (Kaby Lake) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not specified |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not specified |

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

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | Radeon RX Vega M GH |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2018-01-31 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR32V | Not specified |

Both chips share 4 cores, 14 nm process, DDR4 memory support, ECC disabled, and identical L1 and L2 cache sizes (64 KB and 256 KB per core). The i7 lacks published memory bus, bandwidth, and PCIe lane data, while the i5 specifies dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Architecture Differences

The i5-7600K and i7-8709G are both built on Intel's 14 nm process and use the Kaby Lake architecture, but the i7 is a distinct variant called Kaby Lake G. The i7 adds Hyper-Threading, doubling the thread count from 4 to 8. It also has a larger L3 cache, 8 MB versus 6 MB. The i7 is a mobile part with a BGA 2270 socket, while the i5 uses the desktop LGA 1151. The i7 integrates a Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU, whereas the i5 has Intel HD 630. The i7 has a lower TDP of 65 W compared to 91 W for the i5. The i7's multiplier is locked, while the i5's is unlocked. The i7 was released later, in January 2018, versus January 2017 for the i5. The i7 does not list memory bus, bandwidth, or PCIe lanes in the database, while the i5 specifies dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. These differences reflect the i7's mobile, integrated-graphics-focused design, while the i5 is a traditional desktop part with overclocking support. The i7's extra threads and larger cache are direct architectural enhancements, while its lower TDP and BGA socket point to a power-constrained, soldered-down mobile implementation. The i5's unlocked multiplier and desktop socket make it a more flexible platform for enthusiasts, even though its stock performance trails the i7 in every recorded Cinebench test.