Intel Core i5-8500B vs Intel Core i5-8600T Comparison

Both the Intel Core i5-8500B and the Intel Core i5-8600T are six-core Coffee Lake parts from the same generation, but the benchmark data shows they are not interchangeable. The 8500B dominates in Geekbench workloads, while the 8600T takes every Cinebench test. The deciding factor is not raw core count, but how the chips are configured and what they are designed for.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8600T is the clear winner in sustained rendering and CPU-intensive compute tasks. Across all six Cinebench tests—R15, R20, and R23, each in both single-core and multi-core variants—the 8600T posts higher scores. Its lead is consistent, ranging from a 3.6% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 4% margin in Cinebench R15 multi-core. This pattern suggests that the 8600T’s performance is well-balanced for threaded workloads that scale across all six cores, as well as for lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core’s efficiency. The data indicates that the 8600T is the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any application that leans on Cinebench-style integer and floating-point performance.

The Intel Core i5-8500B wins the other side of the equation. It takes both Geekbench tests, and it does so decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the 8500B scores 4998 against the 8600T’s 4277, a 16.9% difference. In Geekbench single-core, the 8500B scores 1407 versus 1278, a 10.1% lead. Geekbench is a more diverse workload that includes encryption, image processing, and memory tests, so this result suggests the 8500B has an edge in general-purpose, everyday computing tasks. If the workload involves a mix of short bursts, file compression, or office-style productivity, the 8500B’s benchmark profile is stronger.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Coffee Lake architecture, use the same 14 nm process node from Intel, and share the same 154 mm² die size. They each have six cores and six threads, with no hyper-threading. The cache hierarchy is identical as well: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and both lack ECC memory support. Their integrated graphics are the same UHD Graphics 630, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The key differences are in clock speeds, power envelope, and socket. The 8500B has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. The 8600T has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, with a much lower TDP of 35 watts. That lower power target explains the 8600T’s lower clocks, but it also means the 8600T is engineered for thermally constrained environments. The socket also differs: the 8500B uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable socket, while the 8600T uses Intel Socket 1151, which is a standard desktop LGA socket. The 8500B’s higher clocks and higher TDP give it a raw frequency advantage, but the 8600T’s lower power draw makes it suitable for compact or passively cooled systems.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Geekbench multi-core, where the 8500B beats the 8600T by 16.9%. That is a massive gap for two chips with the same core count and architecture. The 8500B’s score of 4998 versus the 8600T’s 4277 shows that the higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz translates directly into better performance in this mixed workload. The single-core Geekbench result reinforces this, with the 8500B at 1407 versus 1278, a 10.1% margin.

The 8600T fights back in Cinebench. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 8600T scores 7787 against the 8500B’s 7480, a 3.9% difference. The single-core R23 result is closer, with the 8600T at 1099 and the 8500B at 1056, also a 3.9% gap. The pattern holds in older versions: Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the 8600T at 3270 versus 3141, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 784 versus 753. The 8600T’s consistency across all Cinebench versions suggests that its lower base clock is not a handicap in these tests, likely because the workload allows the chip to sustain its boost clock for the duration of the render.

It is importantly the 8500B’s average benchmark score across all tests is 2423, while the 8600T’s is 2383. That puts the 8500B slightly ahead in overall average, but the two chips sit in the same percentile vs all CPUs, both at 48. The 8500B’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U, which has an average score of 2424 and a delta of -0.1%. The 8600T’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-1038NG7, which scores 2398 and has a delta of -0.6%. These rival comparisons show that both chips are clustered tightly with mid-range mobile and desktop parts from the same era.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-8600T is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded compute workloads. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins between 3.6% and 4%. If the primary use case is video editing, 3D rendering, or any task that scales with sustained CPU throughput, the 8600T’s benchmark profile is superior. Its lower 35-watt TDP also makes it the more practical option for small form factor builds or systems where cooling is limited, even though the data does not directly measure thermal performance.

The Intel Core i5-8500B is the better choice for Geekbench-style general-purpose workloads. Its 16.9% multi-core and 10.1% single-core leads in Geekbench are substantial and indicate a significant advantage in everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light content creation. The 8500B’s higher 4.10 GHz boost clock is the likely driver of this advantage. However, the 8500B uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which means it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable, while the 8600T uses the standard Intel Socket 1151.

The data suggests a trade-off: the 8500B for raw frequency-sensitive general performance, the 8600T for efficient rendering throughput. Users who prioritize Cinebench scores should pick the 8600T. Users who prioritize Geekbench scores should pick the 8500B. The 8500B also has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 2423 versus 2383, but the 8600T’s wins in the more specific rendering tests may matter more for professional workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500B has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8600T has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the 8500B in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The 8500B scores 4998 in Geekbench multi-core, which is 16.9% ahead of the 8600T’s score of 4277.

Q: Does the 8600T win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the 8600T wins all six Cinebench tests, including Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 7787 versus the 8500B’s 7480.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are based on Coffee Lake architecture, use a 14 nm process node, and have six cores and six threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-8500B has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i5-8600T has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500B has an average benchmark score of 2423, compared to the Intel Core i5-8600T’s average score of 2383.