Intel Core i5-8500 vs Intel Core i7-8750H Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-8500 and Intel Core i7-8750H are both six-core Coffee Lake parts, but they target different physical envelopes: one is a desktop chip on Socket 1151, the other is a mobile chip on BGA 1440. The benchmark data shows a clear split. The i7-8750H wins 12 of the 19 head-to-head tests, while the i5-8500 wins 7. However, the margins are not uniform, and the nature of the wins matters more than the raw count.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput in compressed workloads, integer math, or random string sorting, the i7-8750H is the stronger choice. Its 12 threads (versus 6 on the i5-8500) deliver a substantial lead in integer math, with the i7 scoring 35629 versus 26551 for the i5, a 25.5% advantage. The i7 also leads in all Cinebench multi-core tests, though by a modest 2.4% in each case, and in Geekbench multi-core by 4.5%. Data compression favors the i7 by 3.4%, and random string sorting by 12.5%. Data encryption shows the largest single margin for the i7, at 10.7% ahead.

Conversely, the i5-8500 is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness and certain specialized instruction paths. It wins Geekbench single-core by 2.5%, Passmark single-thread by 7.2%, and Passmark physics by 4%. The most dramatic wins for the i5 come in extended instructions (32.9% ahead) and prime number finding (33.3% ahead). Floating-point math is essentially a tie, with the i5 ahead by just 1.4%.

The database percentile ranking places both chips at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they sit in the same performance tier overall. The average benchmark score tells a slightly different story: the i7-8750H averages 13868, while the i5-8500 averages 13142, a difference of roughly 5.5%. That average is skewed by the i7's large win in integer math and its consistent, if small, leads across most multi-threaded tests.

In practical terms, the i5-8500 is the better choice for a desktop system where single-thread performance, physics simulation, and extended instruction workloads are the priority. The i7-8750H is the better choice for a mobile workstation where multi-threaded integer work, encryption, and compression dominate. If the workload is mixed, the i7's broader wins across the suite make it the safer default, but the i5's decisive victories in specific niches mean it should not be dismissed.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Coffee Lake architecture and the same 14 nm process node. The i5-8500 carries the codename Coffee Lake and is part of the Core i5 (Coffee Lake) generation, while the i7-8750H uses the Coffee Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core i7 (Coffee Lake-H) generation. Both are fabricated by Intel.

The core counts are identical at 6 physical cores, but the threading differs. The i5-8500 has 6 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading, while the i7-8750H has 12 threads. This is the single most important architectural difference, as it directly explains the i7's advantage in multi-threaded integer math and its consistent, if small, leads in Cinebench multi-core tests.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i7: 12 MB shared versus 9 MB shared on the i5. This 3 MB difference in L3 likely contributes to the i7's better performance in data compression and random string sorting, where larger working sets can fit in cache.

Die size also differs slightly. The i5-8500 has a die size of 154 mm², while the i7-8750H is smaller at 149 mm². The i5's larger die size is notable given that it has fewer threads and less L3 cache, suggesting a slightly different physical layout or additional desktop-oriented circuitry.

The integrated graphics differ in naming: the i5 uses UHD Graphics 630, while the i7 uses UHD 630. Both are integrated, but the i7's mobile positioning means it likely shares thermal and power budgets with the CPU in a way that desktop parts do not.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, with the i5 specifying dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7's memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database, so no comparison is possible there. ECC memory is not supported on either chip.

PCIe support differs. The i5-8500 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The i7-8750H has no recorded PCIe lane specification, reflecting its mobile socket design where the chipset typically provides additional lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent but narrow victory for the i7-8750H across every version and workload. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 834 against the i5's 814, a 2.4% lead. The same 2.4% delta appears in R15 single-core (117 versus 114), R20 multi-core (3475 versus 3393), R20 single-core (490 versus 478), R23 multi-core (8274 versus 8079), and R23 single-core (1168 versus 1140). The consistency of this 2.4% margin across all six Cinebench tests suggests a fundamental clock-for-clock or thread-for-thread advantage that scales uniformly.

Geekbench results split the two chips. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7 wins with 4978 against 4752, a 4.5% margin. But in Geekbench single-core, the i5 wins with 1342 against 1309, a 2.5% margin. This indicates that the i5's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz (versus 2.20 GHz on the i7) gives it an edge in lightly threaded workloads, while the i7's extra threads overcome the clock deficit in fully threaded scenarios.

The Passmark suite provides the most dramatic divergences. Integer math is a landslide for the i7: 35629 versus 26551, a 25.5% lead. This is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set and is a direct consequence of the i7's 12 threads. Random string sorting favors the i7 by 12.5% (18622 versus 16294), and data encryption by 10.7% (3388 versus 3027). Data compression shows a smaller 3.4% lead for the i7 (139418 versus 134673).

The i5-8500 wins decisively in extended instructions, scoring 11480 against the i7's 8637, a 32.9% margin. Prime number finding shows a 33.3% lead for the i5 (36 versus 27), which is the largest percentage delta in the entire comparison. Passmark single-thread favors the i5 by 7.2% (2441 versus 2276), and Passmark physics favors the i5 by 4% (628 versus 604). Floating-point math is nearly even, with the i5 ahead by 1.4% (22489 versus 22179). Passmark multithread goes to the i7 by 2.7% (9799 versus 9532).

The win tally is 12 for the i7 and 7 for the i5. But the i5's wins include the two largest percentage margins of the entire comparison (33.3% and 32.9%), meaning its victories are more concentrated and specific. The i7's wins are broader and more numerous, but its largest single margin (25.5% in integer math) is smaller than the i5's top two.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-8500 | Intel Core i7-8750H |

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

| Threads | 6 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake-H |

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

| Die Size | 154 mm² | 149 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | UHD 630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Part Number | SR3XE | SR3YY |

| Release Date | 2018-02-13 | 2018-04-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | Not recorded |

The TDP difference is notable: the i5 draws 65 W against the i7's 45 W. Despite the lower TDP, the i7 still wins most multi-threaded tests, which speaks to the efficiency of its 12-thread design. The i5's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz explains its single-thread wins. Boost clocks are identical at 4.10 GHz.

Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates are roughly six weeks apart, with the i5 launching in February 2018 and the i7 in April 2018.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-8750H scores 8274 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i5-8500 scores 8079. The i7 leads by 2.4%.

Q: Why does the i5-8500 win some single-threaded tests despite the i7 having a higher boost clock?

A: The boost clocks are identical at 4.10 GHz, but the i5 has a much higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz on the i7. This gives the i5 an advantage in lightly threaded workloads, as shown by its 2.5% Geekbench single-core win and 7.2% Passmark single-thread win.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two chips?

A: The largest percentage margin is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the i5-8500 leads by 33.3% (36 versus 27). The largest absolute score difference is in Passmark integer math, where the i7-8750H leads by 9078 points (35629 versus 26551), a 25.5% margin.

Q: Does the i7-8750H always beat the i5-8500 in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No. The i7 wins most multi-threaded tests, including all Cinebench multi-core versions, Geekbench multi-core, integer math, data compression, encryption, multithread, and random string sorting. However, the i5 wins Passmark physics by 4% and floating-point math by 1.4%, and these are multi-threaded workloads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-8750H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-8500 has 9 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Q: What are the TDP ratings and what does that mean for these chips?

A: The i5-8500 has a TDP of 65 W, while the i7-8750H has a TDP of 45 W. Despite the lower TDP, the i7 still manages to outperform the i5 in the majority of benchmarks, indicating that its 12-thread design is more efficient per watt in multi-threaded tasks, while the i5's higher TDP supports its higher base clock for single-thread performance.