Intel Core i5-8500B vs Intel Core i5-9500T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is how consistent the Intel Core i5-9500T is across the Cinebench suite. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, and every win lands within a remarkably tight band. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 9500T scores 832 against the 8500B's 753, a 10.5% advantage. The single-core result in R15 is nearly identical in percentage terms: 117 versus 106, a 10.4% lead. That same delta repeats in Cinebench R20, where the 9500T posts 3470 multi-core and 489 single-core, versus 3141 and 443 for the 8500B, again 10.5% and 10.4% ahead respectively. Cinebench R23 follows the exact same script: 8264 versus 7480 in multi-core (10.5%) and 1166 versus 1056 in single-core (10.4%).

The story flips completely in Geekbench. Here the Intel Core i5-8500B takes both wins, and by larger margins than the Cinebench deltas. In Geekbench multi-core, the 8500B scores 4998 against the 9500T's 4407, an 11.8% advantage. The single-core gap is even wider: 1407 versus 1198, which works out to a 14.9% lead for the 8500B. So the benchmark data shows a clear split: the 9500T dominates in rendering workloads like Cinebench, while the 8500B dominates in Geekbench's mixed workload.

Looking at the overall average benchmark score, the 9500T holds a slim edge. Its average is 2493, compared to 2423 for the 8500B, a difference of roughly 2.9%. The 9500T also sits at the 49th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the 8500B sits at the 48th. Both are effectively mid-pack parts, with the 9500T's nearest rivals being the Intel Core i5-1155G7 (delta -0.1%), Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 (delta -0.5%), Intel Xeon E5-2643 v3 (delta -0.7%), and Intel Core i3-12100TE (delta 0.7%). The 8500B's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U (delta -0.1%), Intel Core i7-9850HE (delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U (delta 0.4%), and Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 (delta 0.6%).

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Coffee Lake, using Intel's 14 nm process node. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and both are end-of-life products. The core configuration is identical on paper: 6 cores and 6 threads, with no Hyper-Threading on either part. Cache hierarchies match as well, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same: DDR4, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both lack ECC support, and both have the same integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 630.

The generation labels differ slightly. The 9500T is listed under "Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh)", while the 8500B is simply "Core i5 (Coffee Lake)". That refresh designation does not change the core architecture, but it does line up with the different clock behavior seen in the benchmarks. The 9500T has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The 8500B runs considerably higher, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. That higher clock speed should theoretically give the 8500B an advantage in any frequency-sensitive workload, which matches the Geekbench results.

The sockets differ, and so do the physical packages. The 9500T uses Intel Socket 1151, a conventional LGA socket for desktop builds. The 8500B uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning it is soldered directly to a board rather than seated in a socket. The die size is listed for the 8500B at 154 mm², while no die size is recorded for the 9500T. The part numbers also differ: SRF4D for the 9500T and SRCX3 for the 8500B. The release dates are close, with the 9500T launching on 2018-03-31 and the 8500B on 2018-04-02. Both carry the same launch MSRP of $192.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. The 9500T is rated at 35 W TDP, while the 8500B is rated at 65 W TDP. That is a dramatic difference, and it helps explain the benchmark split. The 9500T is a low-power part designed for constrained thermal environments, yet it still outpaces the 8500B in Cinebench. The 8500B, with nearly double the TDP headroom, runs higher clocks and pulls ahead in Geekbench.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU scores higher in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-9500T scores 8264, which is 10.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-8500B's 7480.

Q: Does the higher clock speed of the 8500B translate to wins in every benchmark?

A: No. Despite having a higher base clock (3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz) and boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz), the 8500B loses all six Cinebench tests to the 9500T. The 8500B only wins in Geekbench multi-core and single-core.

Q: How does the single-core Geekbench gap compare to the Cinebench deltas?

A: The 8500B leads by 14.9% in Geekbench single-core (1407 versus 1198). That is the largest single-core margin in either direction. By contrast, the 9500T's biggest single-core Cinebench win is 10.4%.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 6 threads. The architecture, cache layout, and memory support are also identical.

Q: What is the total L3 cache on each processor?

A: Both have 9 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches are also identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are listed as end-of-life products. The 9500T launched on 2018-03-31 and the 8500B on 2018-04-02.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields, even though they share the same core architecture and cache configuration. The most obvious difference is clock speed. The 9500T runs at a 2.20 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock. The 8500B runs at 3.00 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. That is a 0.80 GHz gap at base and a 0.40 GHz gap at boost.

Thermal design power is the next major split. The 9500T is rated for 35 W TDP, while the 8500B is rated for 65 W TDP. This nearly 2x difference in power envelope likely explains the clock disparity and the benchmark behavior.

Socket and package type also differ. The 9500T uses Intel Socket 1151, which is a standard LGA socket. The 8500B uses Intel BGA 1440, which is a ball-grid array, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard. This has practical implications for upgradeability and system integration.

The die size is recorded for the 8500B at 154 mm², while no die size is listed for the 9500T. The generation labels differ as well, with the 9500T marked as Coffee Lake Refresh and the 8500B as plain Coffee Lake. Part numbers are SRF4D for the 9500T and SRCX3 for the 8500B. The release dates are two days apart, with the 9500T first.

Everything else in the specification sheet matches: 6 cores, 6 threads, 14 nm process node, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 9 MB shared L3, DDR4 dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, no ECC, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and UHD Graphics 630 integrated. Both are unlocked-multiplier-free desktop parts with a $192 launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data tells a clear but nuanced story. The Intel Core i5-9500T is the better choice for rendering and compute-heavy workloads that resemble Cinebench. It wins all six Cinebench tests by a consistent 10.4% to 10.5% margin, despite having substantially lower clocks and a 35 W TDP. That is a remarkable result for a low-power part. The average benchmark score also favors the 9500T, 2493 versus 2423, and it holds a one-point percentile advantage.

The Intel Core i5-8500B is the better choice for workloads that resemble Geekbench. It wins multi-core by 11.8% and single-core by 14.9%, which are larger deltas than anything the 9500T achieves in Cinebench. The 8500B's higher base and boost clocks clearly pay off in that benchmark's mixed workload.

The socket difference matters for system builders. The 9500T fits Intel Socket 1151 boards, which are common and allow for CPU swaps. The 8500B is BGA 1440, so it comes permanently attached to its board. That makes the 8500B a less flexible platform choice, though it may be sold as a complete board-plus-CPU solution.

For a builder deciding between these two, the choice hinges on the workload and the thermal budget. If power draw is a concern and the task is rendering, the 9500T is the clear winner. If raw Geekbench performance is the priority and the board is a fixed BGA unit, the 8500B delivers more single-threaded speed.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-9500T wins in rendering and sustained multi-core compute. The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all go to the 9500T by 10.5%. It also wins every single-core Cinebench test by 10.4%. This consistency across three generations of the Cinebench suite suggests the 9500T has a genuine architectural or power-management advantage for that type of workload, possibly from better sustained boost behavior under the 35 W envelope. Its average benchmark score is higher, and it edges out the 8500B in the overall percentile ranking.

The Intel Core i5-8500B wins in Geekbench, both multi-core and single-core. The multi-core win is 11.8%, and the single-core win is 14.9%. Those are the two largest margins in the entire head-to-head comparison. The 8500B's higher clock speeds, enabled by its 65 W TDP, give it a clear edge in workloads that reward raw frequency and do not sustain the same thermal load as Cinebench.

In practical terms, the 9500T suits low-power desktop builds, compact systems, or any scenario where a 35 W part can deliver competitive rendering performance. The 8500B suits scenarios where single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench-style workloads matter more, and where the soldered BGA package is an acceptable trade-off. Neither CPU is a universal winner, but each has a distinct role. The data supports the 9500T for creators running render jobs, and the 8500B for general productivity where Geekbench performance is the benchmark of record.