Intel Core i5-8365U vs Intel Core i7-1065G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-1065G7 wins every single head-to-head test against the Intel Core i5-8365U. Out of 17 recorded comparisons, the i7-1065G7 takes all 17. The margins vary widely, from a modest 4% in random string sorting to a crushing 55.9% in data encryption.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the i7-1065G7 shows consistent strength. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 691 against 509 for the i5-8365U, a 26.3% gap. Single-core R15 shows a similar story: 97 versus 71, which is 26.8% ahead. The R20 and R23 results follow the same pattern. In R20 multi-core, the i7-1065G7 posts 2883 versus 2121, a 26.4% lead, and in R23 multi-core it hits 6866 versus 5050, again a 26.4% margin. Single-core R20 and R23 are also 26.4% in favor of the i7-1065G7, with scores of 406 versus 299 and 969 versus 713 respectively. These are not isolated wins; the i7-1065G7 is consistently faster across every rendering workload measured.

The Passmark suite adds more detail. The largest single delta is in data encryption, where the i7-1065G7 scores 4552 and the i5-8365U scores 2006, a 55.9% advantage. That is a massive gap and suggests the newer architecture handles encryption workloads far more efficiently. Prime number finding also favors the i7-1065G7 strongly: 29 versus 19, a 34.5% lead. Floating point math shows 16603 versus 13110, a 21% difference, and integer math shows 28660 versus 22021, a 23.2% edge. The i7-1065G7 also leads in multi-threaded Passmark by 27%, scoring 8185 versus 5976.

Not every gap is huge. Random string sorting is close: 10688 versus 10256, only 4% apart. Single-thread Passmark is also relatively tight at 9.7%, with 2295 versus 2073. Extended instructions show a 15.4% gap, 5998 versus 5074. Data compression is 13.7% in favor of the i7-1065G7, 88300 versus 76239. Physics in Passmark shows 589 versus 422, a 28.4% margin.

The i5-8365U does not win a single benchmark. Even in workloads where the gap is smallest, the i7-1065G7 still comes out ahead. The data is one-sided.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Core i7-1065G7 is the faster processor in every measured workload. If the choice is between these two chips, the i7-1065G7 is the one to pick for performance. The i5-8365U cannot point to a single test where it beats the i7-1065G7, so there is no workload-based argument for it.

That said, the i5-8365U has one practical advantage in the database: it is listed as end-of-life, while the i7-1065G7 is still active. The i5-8365U also has a launch MSRP of $297, while the i7-1065G7 has no recorded launch MSRP. Beyond that, the i7-1065G7 is the clear choice. It is faster in single-core, multi-core, encryption, math, compression, and physics. For anyone running rendering, data processing, or general productivity, the i7-1065G7 is the superior part.

The percentile rankings are close: the i5-8365U sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, and the i7-1065G7 at the 64th. That may seem contradictory given the benchmark sweep, but the average benchmark score tells the real story. The i5-8365U has an average score of 8708, while the i7-1065G7 has an average of 8293. The i5-8365U actually has a higher average score, which explains the slightly higher percentile. This is because the i5-8365U has fewer recorded low-scoring benchmarks in the database, while the i7-1065G7 includes 3DMark tests that pull its average down. The head-to-head results remain the more reliable comparison for these two specific chips.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and process nodes. The i5-8365U is built on Whiskey Lake, using the Whiskey Lake-U codename, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process. The i7-1065G7 is an Ice Lake part, codenamed Ice Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process. The i7-1065G7 also has a recorded die size of 123 mm², while the i5-8365U has no die size listed.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache hierarchy differs. The i5-8365U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-1065G7 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L1 and L3 caches on the i7-1065G7 help explain its performance advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Clock speeds also differ. The i5-8365U has a base clock of 1600 MHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The i7-1065G7 has a lower base clock of 1300 MHz but also a lower boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the i7-1065G7 wins every benchmark, which points to a significant IPC (instructions per clock) advantage from the newer Sunny Cove architecture.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, and both use dual-channel memory buses. However, the memory bandwidth differs: the i5-8365U is rated at 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-1065G7 is rated at 51.2 GB/s. The i7-1065G7 also lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count, while the i5-8365U lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-8365U uses UHD Graphics 620, while the i7-1065G7 uses Iris Plus. The sockets are different: the i5-8365U uses Intel BGA 1528, and the i7-1065G7 uses Intel BGA 1526. Both are unlocked multipliers? No, both are locked; multiplier unlock is false for each.

The release dates are close: the i5-8365U launched on April 15, 2019, and the i7-1065G7 launched on July 31, 2019. The production status differs, with the i5-8365U marked end-of-life and the i7-1065G7 active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-1065G7, scoring 6866 versus 5050 for the i5-8365U, a 26.4% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the i7-1065G7 in data encryption?

A: It scores 4552 versus 2006, a 55.9% lead, the largest margin in any head-to-head test.

Q: Does the i5-8365U win any benchmark against the i7-1065G7?

A: No. Out of 17 head-to-head tests, the i7-1065G7 wins all 17. The closest result is random string sorting, where the i7-1065G7 leads by only 4%.

Q: Why does the i5-8365U have a higher percentile ranking if it loses every test?

A: The i5-8365U has a higher average benchmark score, 8708 versus 8293, and sits at the 65th percentile versus the 64th for the i7-1065G7. The i7-1065G7's average is pulled down by additional 3DMark benchmark results in the database.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two chips?

A: The i5-8365U has 64 KB of L1 per core and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-1065G7 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 8 MB of shared L3. Both have 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-8365U, with a boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz for the i7-1065G7. The i5-8365U also has a higher base clock of 1600 MHz versus 1300 MHz.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1065G7 wins everywhere. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the i5-8365U comes out ahead. The most favorable result for the i5-8365U is random string sorting, where the i7-1065G7 leads by just 4%, but it still loses. Single-thread Passmark is the next closest at 9.7%.

For users focused on rendering, the i7-1065G7 is the clear pick. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 all show roughly 26% advantages in both single-core and multi-core. For data-heavy tasks, the i7-1065G7 dominates encryption by 55.9% and compression by 13.7%. For math workloads, it leads by 21% in floating point and 23.2% in integer math. For physics, it leads by 28.4%. The i7-1065G7 is also 27% ahead in Passmark multi-thread and 9.7% ahead in single-thread.

The i5-8365U does have a higher boost clock and a higher base clock, but that does not translate into any benchmark win. It also has a launch MSRP of $297, which the database records, but the i7-1065G7 has no recorded launch MSRP. If the i5-8365U is already in a system, it remains a functional 4-core, 8-thread mobile chip with a 65th percentile ranking. But for a new purchase or upgrade decision, the data supports the i7-1065G7 without qualification.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-8365U uses the Whiskey Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the i7-1065G7 uses Ice Lake on a 10 nm process. The i7-1065G7 has a die size of 123 mm²; the i5-8365U has no recorded die size.

Base clocks differ: 1600 MHz for the i5-8365U versus 1300 MHz for the i7-1065G7. Boost clocks also differ: 4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. Both are 15 W TDP parts with 4 cores and 8 threads.

Cache: the i5-8365U has 64 KB L1 per core and 6 MB shared L3. The i7-1065G7 has 80 KB L1 per core and 8 MB shared L3. Both have 256 KB L2 per core.

Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s for the i5-8365U versus 51.2 GB/s for the i7-1065G7. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC.

PCIe: the i5-8365U lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-1065G7 lists only Gen 3 without a lane count.

Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 620 on the i5-8365U, Iris Plus on the i7-1065G7.

Sockets: Intel BGA 1528 for the i5-8365U, Intel BGA 1526 for the i7-1065G7.

Production status: the i5-8365U is end-of-life, the i7-1065G7 is active. Release dates: April 15, 2019 versus July 31, 2019. The i5-8365U has a launch MSRP of $297; the i7-1065G7 has none recorded. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.