Intel Core i5-9500F vs Intel Core i7-9750HF Comparison

The Intel Core i5-9500F and Intel Core i7-9750HF are both 14 nm Coffee Lake parts from the same release window, but they target fundamentally different platforms. The data shows a clear split: the i7-9750HF wins every Cinebench workload, while the i5-9500F takes both Geekbench tests. For pure multi-threaded rendering, the i7-9750HF is the pick; for Geekbench-optimized single-thread and certain memory-latency-sensitive tasks, the i5-9500F pulls ahead. The i7’s 12 threads give it a 2.7-2.8% edge across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, but the i5 counters with a 7% Geekbench multi-core win and a 10.2% single-core advantage. Neither part is a dominant overall winner—the i7 wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5 wins the two most lopsided matchups.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Core i7-9750HF if your workload is built around Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering. It wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15: 876 vs 852, R20: 3652 vs 3550, R23: 8696 vs 8453) and all three single-core variants (R15: 123 vs 120, R20: 515 vs 501, R23: 1227 vs 1193). The largest Cinebench margin is 2.8%, which is consistent and reliable across every version of the benchmark. The i7’s 12 threads versus the i5’s 6 explain this pattern—hyper-threading directly feeds multi-threaded renderers.

Pick the Intel Core i5-9500F if your reference point is Geekbench. It beats the i7 by 7% in multi-core (5185 vs 4844) and by 10.2% in single-core (1504 vs 1365). These are the two biggest deltas in the entire comparison, and they are not close. The i5 also runs on the desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) versus the i7’s mobile BGA 1440, so the i5 is the only one of the two that fits a standard desktop board. For a desktop build where Geekbench scores correlate with your applications, the i5 is the better match.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—2670 for the i5, 2662 for the i7—and both sit at the 50th percentile of all CPUs. The i5’s closest rival is the i7-9750HF with a delta of 0.3%, and the i7’s closest rival is the i5-9500F with a delta of -0.3%. That means these two chips are effectively equals in aggregate performance, and your choice should come down to the specific benchmark suite you prioritize.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and use the Coffee Lake architecture, but they diverge in packaging and configuration. The i5-9500F is a desktop part with the codename Coffee Lake, while the i7-9750HF is a mobile part with the codename Coffee Lake-HR. The i5 has 6 cores and 6 threads; the i7 has 6 cores and 12 threads. That thread count difference is the single most important architectural distinction—the i7 can process two threads per core, doubling its logical core count.

The i7 also carries more cache: 12 MB of shared L3 versus the i5’s 9 MB. Both have the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache. The i7’s die size is listed at 149 mm², while the i5’s die size is not provided. The i5’s base clock is higher at 3.00 GHz versus the i7’s 2.60 GHz, but the i7 has a higher boost clock at 4.50 GHz versus the i5’s 4.40 GHz. The i7’s TDP is lower at 45 W versus the i5’s 65 W, reflecting its mobile design.

Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel memory buses and identical 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. Neither has integrated graphics, and both are end-of-life products released on the same date. The i5 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count. The i5 fits Intel Socket 1151; the i7 uses Intel BGA 1440. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-9750HF wins every Cinebench test, which makes it the choice for render workloads that scale with thread count. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 876 against the i5’s 852. In R20 multi-core, it scores 3652 against 3550. In R23 multi-core, it scores 8696 against 8453. The margins are small but consistent: 2.7% in R15 multi-core, 2.8% in R20 multi-core, and 2.8% in R23 multi-core. The i7 also wins the single-core Cinebench tests by similar margins—2.4% in R15, 2.7% in R20, and 2.8% in R23.

The i5-9500F wins the Geekbench tests decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 5185 against the i7’s 4844—a 7% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1504 against 1365—a 10.2% advantage. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they indicate that the i5’s higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.60 GHz) and desktop power envelope help in Geekbench’s mixed workload. The i5 loses 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the two it wins are by far the biggest margins.

For gaming, the data is indirect—neither chip has an integrated GPU, so both require a discrete card. The i5’s Geekbench single-core lead suggests an edge in lightly-threaded game logic, but no gaming benchmarks appear in the data. For productivity, the i7’s Cinebench sweep makes it the safer bet for 3D rendering and video encoding.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-threaded performance in Cinebench?

A: The i7-9750HF wins every Cinebench multi-core test. It scores 876 vs 852 in R15, 3652 vs 3550 in R20, and 8696 vs 8453 in R23. The margin is 2.7-2.8% in each case.

Q: Why does the i5-9500F win Geekbench despite having fewer threads?

A: The i5 has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.60 GHz) and a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151) with a 65 W TDP versus the i7’s mobile BGA 1440 and 45 W TDP. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 5185 vs 4844 (7% higher); in single-core, 1504 vs 1365 (10.2% higher).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 6 physical cores. The i7-9750HF has 12 threads, while the i5-9500F has 6 threads.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The i7-9750HF has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-9500F has 9 MB of shared L3. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-9500F uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket. The i7-9750HF uses Intel BGA 1440, a mobile socket. They cannot be swapped between platforms.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-9750HF boosts to 4.50 GHz. The i5-9500F boosts to 4.40 GHz. The i5 has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus the i7’s 2.60 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-9750HF wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-9500F wins the two with the largest margins. Start with the i7’s sweep: in Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 876 against 852, a delta of -2.7% (negative delta indicates the i7 wins). The single-core R15 test goes 123 vs 120, a 2.4% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 3652 vs 3550 (2.8%), and R20 single-core shows 515 vs 501 (2.7%). Cinebench R23 multi-core is 8696 vs 8453 (2.8%), with single-core at 1227 vs 1193 (2.8%).

The i5’s wins are more dramatic. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 5185 against the i7’s 4844—a 7% delta. In Geekbench single-core, the i5 scores 1504 against 1365—a 10.2% delta. These are the only two tests where the winner’s margin exceeds 3%, and they flip the overall narrative. The i7’s Cinebench wins are narrow but uniform; the i5’s Geekbench wins are wide but isolated to one benchmark suite.

The aggregate average benchmark score is nearly identical: 2670 for the i5, 2662 for the i7. The i5’s nearest rival is the i7-9750HF with a deltaPct of 0.3%, and the i7’s nearest rival is the i5-9500F with a deltaPct of -0.3%. Both CPUs sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are middle-of-the-pack parts. The differences in individual tests are real but do not change the overall performance class.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-9500F | Intel Core i7-9750HF |

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

| Threads | 6 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake-HR |

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

| Die Size | Not provided | 149 mm² |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Part Number | Not provided | SRG1T |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

The two CPUs share the same 14 nm process, 6 cores, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR4 support, dual-channel memory bus, 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, no integrated graphics, no ECC support, locked multipliers, and both are end-of-life with the same release date. The i7’s 12 threads, larger L3 cache, higher boost clock, and lower TDP define its mobile advantage. The i5’s higher base clock, desktop socket, and 16 PCIe lanes define its desktop positioning. Neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.