Intel Core i5-8279U vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ and the Intel Core i5-8279U present a classic generational clash within Intel’s mobile lineup. Both are 4-core, 8-thread parts with a 14 nm process, but they target different power envelopes and architectural generations. The data reveals a split personality: the newer i5-8279U dominates in Cinebench rendering workloads, while the older i7-7920HQ fights back decisively in Geekbench. This is not a simple victory lap for either chip; it is a nuanced matchup where the benchmark suite dictates the outcome.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the complete sweep by the Intel Core i5-8279U across all six Cinebench tests. The margins are consistent, hovering around 2.2% to 2.4% in favor of the i5. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 634 against the i7’s 619, a 2.4% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 89 versus 87, a 2.2% edge. Moving to R20, the i5 extends its multicore advantage to 2643 over 2583 (2.3%), and in single-core it leads 372 to 364 (2.2%). The R23 results mirror this exactly: multicore 6294 versus 6151 (2.3%) and single-core 888 versus 868 (2.3%). The consistency of these deltas suggests a fundamental clock or IPC advantage that scales across all Cinebench versions.

However, the Geekbench tests flip the script entirely. The Intel Core i7-7920HQ wins both Geekbench multicore and single-core by substantial margins. In multicore, it scores 3999 against the i5’s 3764, a 6.2% advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced in percentage terms: 1267 versus 1209, a 4.8% lead for the i7. This is a curious divergence. Cinebench generally favors sustained multicore throughput, while Geekbench often rewards lower-latency single-thread execution and memory subsystem performance. The i7’s larger 8 MB shared L3 cache, compared to the i5’s 6 MB, likely plays a role in these Geekbench wins, as does its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus the i5’s 2.40 GHz.

The overall win tally favors the i5-8279U, taking 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests. Yet, the magnitude of the i7’s Geekbench wins (6.2% and 4.8%) is roughly double the i5’s Cinebench margins (around 2.3%). This means the average benchmark score tells a different story. The i7-7920HQ has an average benchmark score of 1992, while the i5-8279U sits at 1987. The i7 edges ahead in this aggregate metric, despite losing the majority of individual tests, because its Geekbench victories carry more weight in the average calculation. The percentile ranking for both is identical at 44, placing them in the same performance tier relative to all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests a clear workload split. The Intel Core i5-8279U is the champion of Cinebench-style rendering tasks. Whether you are looking at R15, R20, or R23, the i5 consistently outperforms the i7 by a small but measurable margin. This indicates that the i5’s newer Coffee Lake architecture, despite a lower base clock, delivers better sustained performance in multi-threaded rendering scenarios. The i5’s 28 W TDP, lower than the i7’s 45 W, does not hinder it in these tests; in fact, it achieves higher scores while presumably drawing less power.

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ is the winner in Geekbench, which is a more diverse set of tests covering everything from encryption to image processing. The i7’s 6.2% lead in Geekbench multicore is significant. This could stem from its 8 MB L3 cache, which allows more data to be held on-chip, reducing memory fetches. The i7’s higher base clock of 3.10 GHz also provides a baseline speed advantage that the i5 only matches at its 4.10 GHz boost clock. For applications that involve short, spiky bursts of single-thread activity, the i7’s combination of higher base clock and larger cache appears to be more effective.

Another consideration is the integrated graphics. The i5-8279U features Iris Pro Plus 655, while the i7-7920HQ has Intel HD Graphics 630. The data does not include specific iGPU benchmarks, but the presence of Iris Pro Plus suggests a more capable graphics solution for i5 systems. This implies the i5 might be a better fit for light gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads without a discrete graphics card. The i7’s advantage lies in its raw CPU performance in certain legacy or cache-sensitive workloads, as evidenced by the Geekbench results.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is the root of their behavioral differences. The i7-7920HQ is built on Kaby Lake-H, a 14 nm architecture that Intel designed for high-performance mobile workstations. Its codename, Kaby Lake-H, indicates a high-TDP, high-clock design. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared, and the die size is 126 mm². It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and its socket is Intel BGA 1440.

The i5-8279U belongs to the Coffee Lake-U family, also on a 14 nm process but designed for ultra-portable and mainstream laptops. Its codename, Coffee Lake-U, implies a low-power, energy-efficient design. It also has 4 cores and 8 threads, but its base clock drops to 2.40 GHz, while the boost clock matches the i7 at 4.10 GHz. The L3 cache is reduced to 6 MB shared, and the die size remains 126 mm². The transistor count is listed at 2,300 million, which is not provided for the i7. The i5 supports only DDR4 memory, with a measured memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket.

The TDP difference is stark: 45 W for the i7 versus 28 W for the i5. This is a critical design choice. The i7 is meant for thicker laptops with better cooling, allowing it to sustain higher clocks. The i5 is for thinner, lighter devices where power efficiency is paramount. Despite the lower TDP, the i5 achieves higher Cinebench scores, indicating that Coffee Lake’s IPC improvements over Kaby Lake are substantial. The i5’s higher transistor count (2,300 million vs. unspecified) suggests a denser, more refined design, even at the same 14 nm node and die size. The integrated GPU differences also point to a generational shift: Iris Pro Plus 655 in the i5 is a more advanced graphics block than HD Graphics 630 in the i7.

The Verdict

The data paints a picture of two CPUs optimized for different priorities. The Intel Core i5-8279U is the better choice for users whose primary workload is multi-threaded rendering, as evidenced by its consistent wins across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. The margins are small, around 2.3%, but they are uniform. For a creative professional running video encodes or 3D renders, the i5’s newer architecture delivers a tangible, if modest, performance edge.

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ, however, is the better pick for applications that benefit from a larger L3 cache and higher base clock, as demonstrated by its decisive Geekbench victories. The 6.2% multicore and 4.8% single-core leads are substantial. For workloads like software compilation, certain database operations, or complex spreadsheet calculations that are sensitive to cache size and base frequency, the i7 will feel noticeably quicker. Its higher TDP also suggests it can sustain its boost clock for longer periods in a well-cooled chassis, even if the data does not explicitly measure sustained boost behavior.

Looking at the aggregate data, the i7-7920HQ has a higher average benchmark score (1992 versus 1987), placing it marginally ahead overall. Both CPUs occupy the 44th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers. The i5-8279U was released later, in 2019, compared to the i7’s 2017 release, and had a lower launch MSRP of $320 versus the i7’s $568. The i5 is end-of-life, as is the i7. In summary, choose the i5 for rendering efficiency, choose the i7 for cache-sensitive and Geekbench-style workloads, and note that the i7 edges out the i5 in the overall average.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U scores 6294, beating the Intel Core i7-7920HQ’s 6151, a 2.3% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-7920HQ win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3999 in multicore versus 3764 for the i5, and 1267 in single-core versus 1209.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has a lower TDP of 28 W.

Q: How much L3 cache does each CPU have?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-8279U has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the base clock speeds of these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, whereas the Intel Core i5-8279U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz. Both have a boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has an average benchmark score of 1992, slightly higher than the Intel Core i5-8279U’s 1987.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-7920HQ | Intel Core i5-8279U |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1526 |

| Architecture / Codename | Kaby Lake / Kaby Lake-H | Coffee Lake / Coffee Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) | Core i5 (Coffee Lake-U) |

| Transistors | Not specified | 2,300 million |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Iris Pro Plus 655 |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2019-04-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $568 | $320 |

| Part Number | SR32L | SREZ0 |