Intel Core i5-8250U vs Intel Core i7-1065G7 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1065G7 wins every single head-to-head test in the database, 17 out of 17. There is no workload category where the Intel Core i5-8250U comes out ahead. For a user deciding between these two mobile processors, the i7-1065G7 is the clear choice based on raw performance, with margins ranging from a modest 4% in random string sorting to a dominant 56.5% in data encryption.

However, the verdict is not just about choosing the faster chip. The i5-8250U was released earlier, in August 2017, while the i7-1065G7 came in July 2019. Both are currently marked as "Active" in production status, meaning both are still relevant in the market. The i5-8250U sits in the 64th percentile of all CPUs, and the i7-1065G7 also sits in the 64th percentile, so their overall standings are similar despite the i7's clear benchmark superiority. The average benchmark score for the i5-8250U is 8577, while the i7-1065G7 scores 8293, which is interesting: the i5 has a slightly higher average score despite losing every direct comparison. This suggests the i5's nearest rivals (like the Intel Core i7-10510U at 8580 average) are close to its performance level, while the i7-1065G7's rivals (like the Intel Xeon D-2799 at 8308) are also clustered tightly.

For users needing maximum throughput in multi-threaded tasks, the i7-1065G7 is the only rational pick. For users who prioritize a lower base clock, the i5-8250U runs at 1600 MHz versus 1300 MHz, but that advantage disappears under boost, where the i7 reaches 3.90 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. The data suggests the i7-1065G7 is the superior processor for essentially all compute workloads, with no caveats in the recorded measurements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture generations. The i5-8250U is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-R refresh, fabricated on a 14 nm process node. The i7-1065G7 uses Ice Lake, with the Sunny Cove-U microarchitecture, on a 10 nm process node. Both have the same die size of 123 mm², which is noteworthy given the process shrink.

The core configuration is identical: 4 cores and 8 threads on both chips. However, the cache hierarchy differs. The i5-8250U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-1065G7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L1 and L3 caches on the i7 likely contribute to its performance advantage, especially in single-threaded workloads.

Memory support is listed as DDR4 for both, but the i7-1065G7 provides additional details: a dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-8250U does not have these fields recorded in the database. The i7 also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i5 has no PCIe generation specified.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The i5-8250U comes with UHD 620 graphics, while the i7-1065G7 features Iris Plus. The Iris Plus brand is historically associated with higher-performance integrated graphics, and this aligns with the i7 being a higher-tier part. Both chips have a 15 W TDP, making them directly comparable in power envelope, which is important for thin-and-light laptops.

The socket types differ: the i5-8250U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i7-1065G7 uses Intel BGA 1526. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable on the same motherboard. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either. The part numbers are SR3LA for the i5 and SRG0N for the i7.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1065G7 boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8250U boosts to 3.40 GHz. This 0.50 GHz advantage is reflected in the single-core benchmark results.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the i5-8250U and the i7-1065G7 have 4 cores and 8 threads. The performance difference comes from architecture, cache size, and clock speeds, not core count.

Q: How much faster is the i7-1065G7 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-1065G7 scores 6866 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 4918 for the i5-8250U, which is a 28.4% difference in favor of the i7.

Q: Is the i5-8250U better in any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head benchmark data shows the i5-8250U wins zero tests, while the i7-1065G7 wins all 17 recorded comparisons.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each chip?

A: The database records 51.2 GB/s for the i7-1065G7 with a dual-channel bus. The i5-8250U has no memory bandwidth figure listed, though it does support DDR4 memory.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-1065G7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8250U has 6 MB. The i7 also has larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core versus 64 KB per core.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8250U | Intel Core i7-1065G7 |

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

| Base Clock | 1600.00 MHz | 1300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1356 | Intel BGA 1526 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Ice Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake-R | Ice Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) | Core i7 (Sunny Cove-U) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

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

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

| Memory Bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 620 | Iris Plus |

| Release Date | 2017-08-20 | 2019-07-31 |

| Part Number | SR3LA | SRG0N |

The table shows the two chips differ in clock strategy: the i5 starts higher at 1600 MHz but boosts lower, while the i7 starts lower at 1300 MHz but boosts higher. The process node shrink from 14 nm to 10 nm is a key architectural difference. The cache improvements and the addition of PCIe Gen 3 and dual-channel memory support on the i7 round out the specification gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 17 direct comparisons between these two processors, and the i7-1065G7 wins every single one. The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the i7 scores 4552 versus 1979 for the i5, a 56.5% difference. This is a massive gap and suggests the i7's architecture has significantly better cryptographic instruction handling.

In Cinebench tests, the margins are consistent across all versions. Multi-core R15 shows 691 versus 495, a 28.4% win for the i7. Single-core R15 shows 97 versus 69, a 28.9% win. R20 multi-core shows 2883 versus 2065, again 28.4%. R20 single-core shows 406 versus 291, a 28.3% win. R23 multi-core shows 6866 versus 4918, 28.4%. R23 single-core shows 969 versus 694, 28.4%. The consistency across versions is striking, indicating the i7 holds a steady performance advantage regardless of workload scaling.

PassMark integer math shows 28660 versus 20885, a 27.1% win for the i7. Floating point math shows 16603 versus 12706, a 23.5% win. Extended instructions show 5998 versus 4920, an 18% win. Physics shows 589 versus 405, a 31.2% win. Multi-thread overall shows 8185 versus 5812, a 29% win. Single-thread shows 2295 versus 1886, a 17.8% win.

The smallest margin is in random string sorting, where the i7 scores 10688 versus 10257 for the i5, just a 4% difference. This suggests memory-access patterns or cache behavior are more balanced in this specific workload. Find prime numbers shows 29 versus 18, a 37.9% win for the i7, which is another strong indicator of the i7's integer arithmetic capability.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-1065G7 wins in every scenario, but the degree of dominance varies by workload type. The i5-8250U cannot claim a single victory in the head-to-head results. However, examining the margin sizes reveals where the i7's advantage is most pronounced and where the i5 comes closest.

The i7-1065G7 is strongest in data encryption (56.5% ahead), prime number finding (37.9% ahead), and physics (31.2% ahead). These workloads benefit from the i7's newer architecture, larger caches, and higher boost clock. The encryption result is particularly telling, as it suggests the i7 has superior support for cryptographic operations, likely due to architectural improvements in the Ice Lake generation.

The i5-8250U comes closest in random string sorting, trailing by only 4%. This is the only benchmark where the i5 is within striking distance, and it may reflect the i5's higher base clock of 1600 MHz providing an advantage in scenarios that do not fully utilize boost behavior. The i5 also trails by a relatively moderate 17.8% in single-threaded PassMark tests, which is the second-smallest margin.

For users, this means the i7-1065G7 is the pick for any compute-intensive work: rendering, encryption, physics simulations, and number crunching. The i5-8250U, while slower, is a valid choice for systems where the lower base clock is preferable for power management, though the TDP is identical at 15 W for both. The i5's earlier release date and 14 nm process may make it more available in older laptop designs, but the performance data shows no scenario where it outpaces the i7. The i7-1065G7 is the definitive winner across all 17 recorded benchmarks.