Intel Core i5-8500T vs Intel Core i7-1185GRE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data separates these two processors by workload type rather than overall capability. The Intel Core i7-1185GRE wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-8500T takes a single, substantial victory. The i7-1185GRE is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness and general compute, particularly where the 55.7% Geekbench single-core lead matters. The i5-8500T is the pick for Geekbench multi-threaded workloads, where its 5.4% advantage in that specific test is the only area it leads. The i7-1185GRE also carries a lower 15 W TDP against the i5-8500T's 35 W, making it the more efficient choice for compact or thermally constrained systems. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance in a desktop context, the i5-8500T remains relevant, but the i7-1185GRE's benchmark sweep elsewhere makes it the stronger all-around option.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel generations and process nodes. The i7-1185GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm². The i5-8500T uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. Core counts differ: the i7-1185GRE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. The i5-8500T has more physical cores but no hyper-threading, so it offers fewer total threads. Cache layouts also diverge. The i7-1185GRE has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The i5-8500T has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3. The i7-1185GRE's larger per-core L2 and larger shared L3 give it a cache advantage despite fewer cores.

Memory support shows another split. The i7-1185GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i5-8500T supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-8500T records a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s; the i7-1185GRE has no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the i7-1185GRE but not on the i5-8500T. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the i7-1185GRE provides Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8500T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are stronger on the i7-1185GRE, which carries Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, compared to the i5-8500T's UHD 630. The i7-1185GRE targets the mobile segment with an Intel BGA 1449 socket, while the i5-8500T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151. Production statuses differ: the i7-1185GRE is active, the i5-8500T is end-of-life. The i7-1185GRE launched in September 2020 with a launch MSRP of $490; the i5-8500T launched in April 2018 with no recorded MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1185GRE boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8500T boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i7-1185GRE also has a lower base clock at 1800 MHz versus 2100 MHz.

Q: Does the i7-1185GRE support more memory types?

A: Yes. The i7-1185GRE supports both DDR4 and LPDDR4X, while the i5-8500T supports DDR4 only. Both are dual-channel, and only the i7-1185GRE supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The i7-1185GRE wins every single-core benchmark recorded. Its largest lead is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1848 against the i5-8500T's 1187, a 55.7% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a smaller 1.1% lead.

Q: Is the i5-8500T faster in any test?

A: Yes. The i5-8500T wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 4293 against the i7-1185GRE's 4060, a 5.4% margin. This is the only head-to-head test where the i5-8500T leads.

Q: What is the thread count difference?

A: The i7-1185GRE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the i7-1185GRE offers more threads due to hyper-threading.

Q: Which CPU is more efficient in terms of TDP?

A: The i7-1185GRE has a TDP of 15 W, compared to the i5-8500T's 35 W. The i7-1185GRE also uses a newer 10 nm process, while the i5-8500T uses 14 nm.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The i7-1185GRE offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-8500T offers 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 1800 MHz for the i7-1185GRE and 2100 MHz for the i5-8500T. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz and 3.50 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 15 W versus 35 W. The i7-1185GRE uses Intel BGA 1449, the i5-8500T uses Intel Socket 1151. Process nodes are 10 nm versus 14 nm. Cache configurations differ: the i7-1185GRE has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3; the i5-8500T has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3. Memory support includes LPDDR4X on the i7-1185GRE only, and ECC is available only on the i7-1185GRE. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Gen 4 with 4 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU versus UHD 630. The i7-1185GRE is a mobile part, the i5-8500T is a desktop part. Production status is active versus end-of-life. Release dates are September 2020 versus April 2018.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, narrow lead for the i7-1185GRE. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-1185GRE scores 668 against 662, a 0.9% margin. In R15 single-core, it scores 94 against 93, a 1.1% margin. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 2786 versus 2759, a 1% lead, and R20 single-core shows 393 versus 389, also a 1% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the pattern: 6635 versus 6571, a 1% margin, while R23 single-core shows 936 versus 927, again a 1% margin. These results indicate the i7-1185GRE maintains a small but consistent advantage across all Cinebench versions, both multi-core and single-core.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-8500T takes the win with 4293 against 4060, a 5.4% margin. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. In Geekbench single-core, however, the i7-1185GRE dominates with 1848 against 1187, a 55.7% lead. That single-core gap is the most striking difference between the two processors. The average benchmark scores reflect the overall balance: the i7-1185GRE averages 2178 across all tests, while the i5-8500T averages 2110. The i7-1185GRE also ranks at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, slightly above the i5-8500T's 46th percentile.

The nearest rival data places both CPUs in similar company. The i7-1185GRE's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE, with an average score of 2175 and a delta of 0.2%. The i5-8500T's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-8259U, with an average score of 2108 and a delta of 0.1%. Both processors sit within a narrow band of comparable chips, but the i7-1185GRE edges ahead in aggregate.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-1185GRE wins in every single-core test and every Cinebench test, both single and multi-core. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1848 is a decisive 55.7% ahead of the i5-8500T, making it the clear choice for workloads that depend on single-threaded speed. This includes typical desktop responsiveness, many legacy applications, and lightly threaded software. The i7-1185GRE also wins all Cinebench multi-core tests, albeit by narrow 0.9% to 1% margins. Its higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz and larger L3 cache of 12 MB likely contribute to these results. The lower 15 W TDP also makes it suitable for power-sensitive mobile designs.

The i5-8500T wins only Geekbench multicore, with a 5.4% margin over the i7-1185GRE. This suggests its 6 physical cores provide an advantage in certain multi-threaded workloads that scale well with core count, even without hyper-threading. Its higher base clock of 2100 MHz and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it a reasonable choice for desktop systems where multi-threaded Geekbench performance is the priority. However, the i5-8500T's end-of-life status and higher 35 W TDP are drawbacks. The i7-1185GRE offers the broader set of wins, including every Cinebench test and both Geekbench single-core and the overall average benchmark score. Users should choose the i5-8500T only when the specific Geekbench multicore workload is dominant, otherwise the i7-1185GRE is the stronger performer across the recorded data.