Intel Core i5-9600 vs Intel Core i7-1068NG7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, if modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-9600 across every Cinebench workload in the comparison. In the multicore tests, the i5-9600 leads by 4.2% in both Cinebench R15 and R20, scoring 820 against 787 and 3419 against 3280 respectively. The Cinebench R23 multicore run confirms the pattern with another 4.2% margin, as the i5-9600 posts 8141 versus the i7-1068NG7's 7810.

Single-core results tell a similar story. The i5-9600 wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 4.5%, scoring 115 to 110. That gap narrows slightly in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the lead is 4.3% (482 versus 462), and in Cinebench R23 single-core the margin sits at 4.3% as well (1149 versus 1102). Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the i5-9600 takes every win, with deltas ranging from 4.2% to 4.5%.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this hierarchy. The i5-9600 records an average of 2354, placing it in the 48th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-1068NG7 averages 2259, which puts it in the 47th percentile. The difference of roughly 95 points is small in absolute terms, but it is consistent with the per-test deltas. The i5-9600's nearest rivals show how tight this field is: the Xeon E3-1285 v6 sits just 0.3% behind at 2348, while the Ryzen 5 2500X trails by 0.3% at 2361. The i7-1068NG7's closest competitor, the Core i3-10305, is only 0.2% ahead at 2264, and the Core i5-9400 sits 0.2% behind at 2254.

What stands out is the consistency of the margin. A 4.2% to 4.5% lead across every test suggests a stable performance characteristic rather than a workload-specific fluke. The i5-9600 does not dominate by a wide margin, but it never loses ground either. For users comparing these two directly, the data indicates the i5-9600 is the faster part in every measured Cinebench scenario.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras and target different market segments. The i5-9600 is a Coffee Lake desktop part, built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the i7-1068NG7 is an Ice Lake-U mobile chip fabricated on the 10 nm node. The die size for the i7-1068NG7 is listed at 123 mm², while the i5-9600's die size is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-9600 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i7-1068NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, so it does enable simultaneous multithreading. Despite having fewer physical cores, the i7-1068NG7 still trails in multicore scores, which indicates that the i5-9600's two additional cores more than compensate for the i7's threading advantage in these Cinebench workloads.

Clock speeds follow the expected pattern for their segments. The i5-9600 runs at a 3.10 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.50 GHz. The i7-1068NG7 has a 2.30 GHz base and a 4.10 GHz boost. The i5-9600's higher clocks, particularly the 0.40 GHz boost advantage, help explain its single-core lead. The thermal design power also reflects their intended use: the i5-9600 is rated at 65 W, while the i7-1068NG7 draws only 28 W.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in total L3. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The i5-9600 carries 9 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB. That 1 MB difference is modest but consistent with the desktop part's slightly larger overall footprint.

Memory support is a point of differentiation. Both use DDR4 with dual-channel buses, but the i7-1068NG7 lists a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, compared to 42.7 GB/s for the i5-9600. The i7-1068NG7 also integrates Iris Plus graphics, while the i5-9600 uses UHD 630. PCIe support differs too: the i5-9600 lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-1068NG7 is simply labeled Gen 3 without a lane count in the database.

The sockets are completely different. The i5-9600 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop platform, while the i7-1068NG7 uses Intel BGA 1344, a soldered mobile package. This means they are not interchangeable in any system, and the i7-1068NG7 cannot be upgraded or replaced by the i5-9600 in a laptop. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported for either part.

Release timing is also distinct. The i5-9600 launched on October 18, 2018, while the i7-1068NG7 followed on July 31, 2019. Both are marked as end-of-life in production status. The i7-1068NG7 has a recorded launch MSRP of $320, while the i5-9600 has no launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600 scores 1149, while the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 1102. The i5-9600 leads by 4.3%.

Q: Does the i7-1068NG7's 8 threads beat the i5-9600's 6 cores in multicore tests?

A: No. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-9600 scores 8141 versus 7810 for the i7-1068NG7, a 4.2% advantage for the i5-9600 despite having only 6 threads.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between the two?

A: The i5-9600 is rated at 65 W TDP, while the i7-1068NG7 is rated at 28 W TDP. This reflects their desktop versus mobile positioning.

Q: Which processor has more total L3 cache?

A: The i5-9600 has 9 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB. Both use 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The i5-9600 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-1068NG7 uses Intel BGA 1344. They are not interchangeable.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-9600 averages 2354 across all recorded benchmarks, placing in the 48th percentile. The i7-1068NG7 averages 2259, placing in the 47th percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw performance: the Intel Core i5-9600 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with margins between 4.2% and 4.5%. Its higher boost clock, two additional physical cores, and larger L3 cache give it a consistent edge in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench workloads. The i7-1068NG7 never takes a single test in this comparison.

However, the verdict depends on context. The i7-1068NG7 is a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP, designed for thin-and-light laptops. The i5-9600 is a 65 W desktop chip. If the requirement is a desktop system with maximum Cinebench performance, the i5-9600 is the better choice according to every score in the database. If the requirement is a mobile platform where the i7-1068NG7's BGA socket and lower power envelope are prerequisites, then the i5-9600 is not even a viable alternative, as it cannot be installed in that socket.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, with the i5-9600 at 48 and the i7-1068NG7 at 47. This suggests that in the broader CPU landscape, these two parts occupy a similar performance tier, even though the i5-9600 is consistently ahead within this direct comparison. For a user choosing between these two specific models, the i5-9600 offers better performance in every measured category, but only if the desktop platform is acceptable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-9600 | Intel Core i7-1068NG7 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1344 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Ice Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 123 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | Iris Plus |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2018-10-18 | 2019-07-31 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $320 |

| Part Number | SR3X2 | SRG0U |

Where Each One Wins

The i5-9600 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its advantages are straightforward. It leads in Cinebench R15 multicore by 4.2%, in R15 single-core by 4.5%, in R20 multicore by 4.2%, in R20 single-core by 4.3%, in R23 multicore by 4.2%, and in R23 single-core by 4.3%. Its higher base and boost clocks, along with two additional cores, drive these results. The i5-9600 also has a slightly larger L3 cache at 9 MB versus 8 MB.

The i7-1068NG7 does not win any of the six recorded benchmarks, but it holds advantages in other recorded specifications. Its memory bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s, which could benefit memory-sensitive workloads not represented in the Cinebench suite. Its TDP is far lower at 28 W, making it the only realistic choice for battery-powered mobile systems. Its 10 nm process node is more advanced than the i5-9600's 14 nm, and it integrates Iris Plus graphics rather than UHD 630.

For desktop users prioritizing Cinebench scores, the i5-9600 is the clear selection. For mobile users who require a BGA socket and low power draw, the i7-1068NG7 is the only option between these two, despite its lower benchmark numbers. The recorded data does not include any test where the i7-1068NG7 outperforms the i5-9600, so any case for the i7 must rest on its mobile-specific attributes rather than on measured performance.