Intel Core i5-8305G vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8706G and Intel Core i5-8305G are two mobile processors from the same Kaby Lake G family, sharing the same socket, integrated graphics, and 65W TDP. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the i7 variant holding a consistent lead across every benchmark tested. Both chips occupy the 42nd percentile among all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores differ slightly, with the i7 posting an average of 1842 against the i5's 1831. This places them within 0.6% of each other in aggregate, yet the individual test results reveal a more substantial gap in raw compute capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-8706G wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with every victory falling in a remarkably narrow band between 10.9% and 11.1%. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7 scores 641 against the i5's 578, a 10.9% advantage. The single-core variant of the same test shows the i7 at 90 and the i5 at 81, yielding an 11.1% lead—the largest margin recorded in this comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds almost exactly. The multicore result shows the i7 at 2674 and the i5 at 2410, a delta of 11%. Single-core performance in R20 gives the i7 a 377 score versus 340 for the i5, again 10.9% apart. The most recent Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: multicore scores of 6368 for the i7 and 5739 for the i5 represent an 11% gap, while single-core scores of 899 and 810 translate to an 11% difference.

The i5-8305G does have additional benchmark data not available for the i7—a Geekbench multicore score of 3536 and a single-core score of 1150. These figures provide context for where the i5 sits in broader comparisons, but they do not alter the head-to-head outcome. The i7's smallest advantage is 10.9% in R15 multicore and R20 single-core, while its largest is 11.1% in R15 single-core. No test shows the i5 closing the gap below double digits.

In terms of nearest rivals, the i7-8706G sits just 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-7600 and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G. The i5-8305G, meanwhile, matches the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U at 0% delta and sits 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-4790S. These comparisons indicate that despite the internal 11% gap between the two G-series chips, both land in a similar competitive tier when measured against the broader CPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G leads in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15 it scores 641 versus 578, in R20 it scores 2674 versus 2410, and in R23 it scores 6368 versus 5739. Each result represents an 11% advantage for the i7.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i5-8305G wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-8706G winning all six recorded comparisons, with the i5-8305G recording zero wins. The i5's only unique data points are Geekbench scores of 3536 multicore and 1150 single-core, which have no direct i7 counterpart in this data set.

Q: How close are these processors in overall average score?

A: The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1842, while the i5-8305G averages 1831. This 0.6% difference in aggregate is smaller than the double-digit margins seen in individual tests, reflecting how averaging across diverse workloads can compress apparent differences.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The i7-8706G leads by 11.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (90 vs 81), 10.9% in R20 single-core (377 vs 340), and 11% in R23 single-core (899 vs 810). The i5-8305G's Geekbench single-core score is 1150, but no comparable Geekbench figure exists for the i7 in this data.

Q: Do both processors occupy the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i7-8706G and i5-8305G sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs. This places them in the same overall performance tier despite the i7's consistent lead in direct comparisons.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i7-8706G is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-7600 and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G. The i5-8305G matches the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U exactly and is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E5-2608L v3.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Kaby Lake, built on Intel's 14 nm process node, with the Kaby Lake G codename. They are manufactured by Intel and feature identical core configurations of 4 cores and 8 threads. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both use the Intel BGA 2270 socket. The integrated graphics are identical as well, with both featuring the Radeon RX Vega M GL.

The critical architectural divergence lies in cache allocation. The i7-8706G carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-8305G is limited to 6 MB. This 2 MB difference in last-level cache represents the most substantive architectural gap between the two parts, and it directly correlates with the consistent 11% performance delta observed across benchmarks. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Clock speeds also differ. The i7-8706G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the i5-8305G operates at 2.80 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. These 300 MHz gaps at both base and boost align with the performance margins seen in single-core tests. The i7's higher clock rates, combined with its larger cache, explain why it maintains a consistent lead rather than winning only in cache-sensitive workloads.

Both chips are designated as mobile processors with a 65W TDP, released on the same date of January 31, 2018. They share the same production status of "Active" and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The generation labels differ—Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) versus Core i5 (Kaby Lake-G)—but this is a naming distinction rather than a generational architectural change.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in exactly four specification areas. First, base clock: the i7-8706G runs at 3.10 GHz versus the i5-8305G's 2.80 GHz. Second, boost clock: the i7 reaches 4.10 GHz while the i5 tops out at 3.80 GHz. Third, L3 cache: the i7 has 8 MB shared, the i5 has 6 MB shared. Fourth, the generation label differs, with the i7 classified as "Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G)" and the i5 as "Core i5 (Kaby Lake-G)."

All other specification fields are identical. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 65W TDP, Intel BGA 2270 socket, Kaby Lake architecture, 14 nm process, DDR4 memory support, Radeon RX Vega M GL integrated graphics, and no ECC support. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data. Both support the same memory type and share identical L1 and L2 cache configurations of 64 KB and 256 KB per core.

The absence of differences in core count, thread count, and TDP means the performance gap cannot be attributed to parallel processing capability or power headroom. The i7's advantages are purely clock speed and cache capacity, making it a straightforwardly superior version of the same silicon.

The Verdict

The data points to an unambiguous conclusion: the Intel Core i7-8706G is the faster processor by every metric recorded. Its 11% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests is consistent and substantial, driven by a 300 MHz boost clock advantage and 2 MB of additional L3 cache. For workloads that stress single-threaded performance, the i7's 4.10 GHz boost clock gives it a clear edge, and its larger cache helps in multi-threaded scenarios that benefit from more resident data.

The i5-8305G is not a weak processor in absolute terms. Its average benchmark score of 1831 places it within 0.6% of the i7's 1842, and it matches the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U exactly in that metric. Its Geekbench scores of 3536 multicore and 1150 single-core demonstrate respectable capability. But in direct competition, it trails the i7 by roughly 11% in every test, and it offers no compensating advantages in the data—no lower TDP, no different integrated graphics, no additional features.

Buyers choosing between these two should base their decision on whether the consistent 11% performance uplift justifies the i7 designation. For users who need maximum throughput in CPU-bound tasks, the i7-8706G is the clear pick. For those who are considering the i5-8305G, the data shows it holds its own against non-G-series rivals like the Intel Core i7-4790S, but it cannot match the i7-8706G's performance ceiling. The 42nd percentile ranking for both chips suggests they occupy a similar market position, yet within that tier, the i7 is definitively the stronger part.