Intel Core i5-9500 vs Intel Core i7-8750H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record splits almost evenly between these two six-core Intel parts: the Core i7-8750H wins 10 of the 19 head-to-head tests, while the Core i5-9500 wins 9. The pattern is clear, the i7-8750H dominates threaded rendering workloads and several integer-heavy PassMark subtests, while the i5-9500 takes single-threaded tasks, extended instruction throughput, and a few mixed workloads.

The i7-8750H is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the mobile chip leads the desktop i5-9500 across both single-core and multi-core variants. Every Cinebench result favors the i7-8750H, with deltas between 7.3% and 7.5%. This consistency suggests the i7-8750H's 12 threads versus the i5-9500's 6 threads provide a tangible advantage in heavily threaded software, even though the desktop part has higher base and boost clocks.

The i5-9500 takes the Geekbench tests decisively. It leads by 7.8% in multi-core and 9.6% in single-core, which is a notable reversal from the Cinebench results. The i5-9500 also dominates PassMark extended instructions with a 28.5% lead, the largest single delta in the entire comparison. It wins floating point math by 6.8%, prime number finding by 25%, physics by 2.4%, and single-threaded PassMark by 11.3%.

The i7-8750H fights back in integer math with a commanding 29.2% lead, the largest win in its column. It also wins data compression by 2.3%, data encryption by 8.4%, and random string sorting by 10.2%. The multithread PassMark test is essentially a tie, with the i5-9500 ahead by only 0.3%.

For users choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. The i7-8750H is better suited for rendering and integer-heavy processing, while the i5-9500 excels at single-threaded responsiveness, extended SIMD instructions, and floating point tasks. Both sit at the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their different strengths.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use Intel's Coffee Lake architecture and are built on the same 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The i7-8750H carries the Coffee Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core i7 generation, while the i5-9500 is part of the Coffee Lake Refresh generation for the Core i5 lineup. Despite the shared foundational architecture, the two chips diverge significantly in their physical configuration.

The i7-8750H has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading. The i5-9500 also has 6 cores but only 6 threads, lacking Hyper-Threading entirely. This thread count difference is the most consequential architectural gap between the two. The i7-8750H's base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the i5-9500 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The desktop chip has higher clocks in both states, which explains its single-threaded advantages.

Cache allocation also differs. Both chips share the same per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 256 KB. The shared L3 cache, however, is 12 MB on the i7-8750H versus 9 MB on the i5-9500. That 3 MB L3 advantage for the mobile chip likely contributes to its strong integer math and compression results.

The thermal and power envelopes are very different. The i7-8750H is rated at 45 W TDP and uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, indicating a mobile, soldered design. The i5-9500 is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP on Intel Socket 1151. The i5-9500 also specifies dual-channel memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-8750H lists DDR4 support without a bandwidth figure. Both chips integrate UHD 630 graphics and do not support ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either.

The release dates differ by about six months, with the i7-8750H launching in April 2018 and the i5-9500 in October 2018. Both are end-of-life products. The i7-8750H has a die size of 149 mm², while the i5-9500's die size is not recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is a complete sweep for the i7-8750H. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 834 against the i5-9500's 776, a 7.5% lead. Single-core R15 goes 117 to 109, a 7.3% lead. The R20 tests show 3475 versus 3236 for multi-core (7.4%) and 490 versus 456 for single-core (7.5%). R23 continues the pattern: 8274 versus 7705 in multi-core (7.4%) and 1168 versus 1087 in single-core (7.5%). The consistency is remarkable; every Cinebench delta falls between 7.3% and 7.5%, indicating a stable architectural advantage for the i7-8750H in this workload family.

Geekbench flips the script. The i5-9500 scores 5402 in multi-core against the i7-8750H's 4978, a 7.8% advantage. In single-core, the i5-9500 leads 1448 to 1309, a 9.6% margin. This is the largest single-core delta in the entire comparison, suggesting the i5-9500's higher boost clock translates directly into Geekbench's lighter-threaded tests.

The PassMark suite splits the field. The i7-8750H wins data compression 139418 to 136283 (2.3%), data encryption 3388 to 3125 (8.4%), integer math 35629 to 27574 (29.2%), and random string sorting 18622 to 16894 (10.2%). The i5-9500 wins extended instructions 12088 to 8637 (28.5%), prime numbers 36 to 27 (25%), floating point math 23788 to 22179 (6.8%), physics 619 to 604 (2.4%), and single-threaded PassMark 2565 to 2276 (11.3%). The multithread PassMark test is nearly identical, with the i5-9500 ahead 9826 to 9799 (0.3%).

The largest wins tell the story: the i7-8750H's 29.2% integer math lead and the i5-9500's 28.5% extended instructions lead are the two most dramatic divergences. These are complementary strengths that point to different optimization priorities between the two chips.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The i7-8750H wins 10 of the 19 recorded tests, while the i5-9500 wins 9. The overall average benchmark score for the i7-8750H is 13868, compared to 13452 for the i5-9500.

Q: Why does the i7-8750H win Cinebench but lose Geekbench?

A: The i7-8750H has 12 threads versus the i5-9500's 6 threads, which helps in Cinebench's heavily threaded rendering workloads. The i5-9500 has higher base and boost clocks (3.00 GHz base, 4.30 GHz boost versus 2.20 GHz and 4.10 GHz), which likely explains its Geekbench wins, especially the 9.6% single-core advantage.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The i7-8750H leads in PassMark integer math by 29.2% (35629 versus 27574). The i5-9500 leads in PassMark extended instructions by 28.5% (12088 versus 8637). These are the two largest deltas in either direction.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i7-8750H's average benchmark score is 13868, while the i5-9500's is 13452, a difference of about 3% in the i7's favor.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both integrate Intel UHD 630 graphics. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: How do their cache configurations differ?

A: Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 cache per core. The i7-8750H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-9500 has 9 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a workload-based split rather than a clear overall winner. The i7-8750H is the better choice for users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, integer math, data compression, encryption, and string sorting. Its 12 threads and 12 MB of L3 cache give it a consistent 7.4% to 7.5% edge across the entire Cinebench suite, and its 29.2% integer math lead is the largest single advantage in the comparison.

The i5-9500 is preferable for single-threaded responsiveness, extended instruction workloads, floating point math, and Geekbench scores. Its higher clocks (3.00 GHz base, 4.30 GHz boost) deliver a 9.6% single-core Geekbench lead and an 11.3% PassMark single-thread lead. The 28.5% extended instructions advantage makes it the stronger choice for SIMD-heavy code.

The multithread PassMark result, a 0.3% difference, indicates that real-world mixed workloads may show little distinction. Both processors are end-of-life products from the same architecture family, and both occupy the same 68th percentile tier. The i7-8750H suits mobile users needing threaded rendering performance in a 45 W package, while the i5-9500 suits desktop users who prioritize clock speed and single-threaded tasks in a 65 W envelope.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8750H | Intel Core i5-9500 |

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

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-H | Coffee Lake |

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

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

| Memory Bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

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

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | April 2018 | October 2018 |

| Part Number | SR3YY | SR3XG |