Intel Core i7-1180G7 vs Intel Core i7-8709G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i7-8709G and the Intel Core i7-1180G7 is remarkably one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the i7-8709G takes the win, though the margins are consistently narrow. The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-8709G scores 2832 against the i7-1180G7's 2802, a delta of 1.1%. The same 1.1% delta repeats in Cinebench R23 multicore (6743 vs 6672) and Cinebench R23 singlecore (952 vs 942). In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-8709G posts 679 versus 672, a 1% edge. The singlecore R15 test shows the biggest percentage gap at 1.1% (95 vs 94), while R20 singlecore rounds out the set with 399 versus 395, again a 1% difference.

Do not mistake these margins for meaningful performance separation. A 1% delta is within run-to-run variance for most benchmark suites. The database records six wins for the i7-8709G and zero for the i7-1180G7, but the practical takeaway is that both processors deliver nearly identical Cinebench throughput. The i7-8709G's highest absolute score, 6743 in R23 multicore, is only 71 points clear of the i7-1180G7's 6672. In singlecore R23, the gap narrows to just 10 points. If you are choosing between these two based purely on CPU compute benchmarks, the data says either one will feel the same in everyday tasks.

Context from the broader database reinforces this. The i7-8709G sits at the 44th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1950. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1035G7 (1948, 0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE (1954, 0.2% ahead). The i7-1180G7 lands at the 43rd percentile with an average score of 1930. Its closest competitor is the AMD Opteron 6348 at exactly 1930 (0% delta), with the Intel Core i3-10300 slightly ahead at 1934. The 20-point average score difference between the two i7 parts places them in essentially the same performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial, even if the benchmark scores are not. The i7-8709G uses Kaby Lake, built on Intel's 14 nm process node, with the codename Kaby Lake G. It belongs to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The i7-1180G7 uses Tiger Lake on the 10 nm process node, codenamed Tiger Lake-U, and belongs to the Core i7 (Willow Cove-U) generation. The die size for the i7-1180G7 is recorded at 144 mm²; the i7-8709G has no die size listed in the database.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i7-8709G has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The i7-1180G7 bumps L1 to 80 KB per core, L2 to 1.25 MB per core, and L3 to 12 MB shared. That is a 50% larger L3 pool and roughly five times more L2 per core, which should help with repeated data access patterns despite the similar Cinebench outcomes.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-8709G supports DDR4, while the i7-1180G7 uses LPDDR4X with a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i7-1180G7 also lists PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-8709G has no PCIe information in the database. Integrated graphics are entirely different: the i7-8709G pairs with a Radeon RX Vega M GH, a discrete-class GPU package, while the i7-1180G7 uses Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU. Neither part supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Process node and architecture generation do not translate into a Cinebench win for the newer i7-1180G7. The recorded data shows the older 14 nm Kaby Lake part edging out the 10 nm Tiger Lake part in every test. This suggests that Cinebench workloads here are not sensitive to the architectural improvements in Willow Cove, or that the i7-1180G7's power constraints limit its sustained performance.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8709G wins every recorded benchmark, but the margins are so thin that "winning" is almost academic. In multicore workloads, the i7-8709G leads by 7 points in R15, 30 points in R20, and 71 points in R23. These are sub-1.5% advantages. The same pattern holds in singlecore, where the lead is 1 point in R15, 4 points in R20, and 10 points in R23. If you need a CPU for rendering, video encoding, or other Cinebench-style multithreaded tasks, the i7-8709G is nominally the better pick, but you will not notice the difference without a stopwatch on a long render.

The i7-1180G7 does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head set, but it has structural advantages that do not show up in Cinebench scores. Its 12 MB of L3 cache versus 8 MB, larger per-core L2, and higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 4.10 GHz suggest it could perform better in cache-sensitive or lightly threaded workloads that are not captured by these six tests. The i7-1180G7 also has a dramatically lower TDP of 9 watts versus 65 watts for the i7-8709G. That makes the i7-1180G7 the clear choice for fanless or ultra-thin designs where heat and battery life matter more than raw throughput. The i7-8709G's 65 W TDP, combined with its Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, points to a different class of mobile device: larger, actively cooled, and geared toward gaming or GPU-accelerated work.

Use-case split from the data: pick the i7-8709G if you want the highest Cinebench scores, however marginal, and if you need the integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH for graphics-heavy tasks. Pick the i7-1180G7 if you prioritize power efficiency, a newer memory standard (LPDDR4X), PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, and a smaller physical footprint. The i7-1180G7 is also the only one of the two with a recorded launch MSRP of $426, which can be stated once for reference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. Process node: 14 nm for the i7-8709G, 10 nm for the i7-1180G7. Die size: not listed for the i7-8709G, 144 mm² for the i7-1180G7. Base clock: 3.10 GHz for the i7-8709G, while the i7-1180G7 lists 1300.00 (interpreted as 1.30 GHz, though the database records it without a unit). Boost clock: 4.10 GHz versus 4.60 GHz, favoring the i7-1180G7. TDP: 65 watts versus 9 watts, a massive gap. Socket: Intel BGA 2270 for the i7-8709G, Intel BGA 1598 for the i7-1180G7.

Cache: L1 is 64 KB per core on the i7-8709G, 80 KB per core on the i7-1180G7. L2 is 256 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core. L3 is 8 MB shared versus 12 MB shared. Memory support: DDR4 for the i7-8709G, LPDDR4X for the i7-1180G7. Memory bus: not listed for the i7-8709G, dual-channel for the i7-1180G7. Memory bandwidth: not listed for the i7-8709G, 34.1 GB/s for the i7-1180G7. PCIe: not listed for the i7-8709G, Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only) for the i7-1180G7. Integrated graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GH versus Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU. Production status: the i7-8709G is Active; the i7-1180G7 is End-of-life. Release date: 2018-01-31 for the i7-8709G, 2021-03-30 for the i7-1180G7. Part number: not listed for the i7-8709G, SRK0D for the i7-1180G7. The i7-1180G7 has a launch MSRP of $426; the i7-8709G has none recorded.

Both share 4 cores, 8 threads, Intel as the manufacturer, mobile market segment, locked multipliers, no ECC support, and no v-cache.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1180G7 boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8709G tops out at 4.10 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, putting it at the 44th percentile. The i7-1180G7 averages 1930, at the 43rd percentile. The i7-8709G leads by 20 points.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i7-1180G7?

A: The i7-1180G7 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-8709G has 8 MB. That is a 50% larger L3 pool.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The i7-1180G7 has a TDP of 9 watts, compared to 65 watts for the i7-8709G. The i7-1180G7 is far more power-efficient on paper.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The i7-8709G is listed as Active, while the i7-1180G7 is End-of-life.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

The Verdict

The data draws a clear line for buyers. If you are building or buying a mobile system where the CPU's compute performance is the sole criterion, the Intel Core i7-8709G is the safer choice. It wins all six Cinebench tests in the database, and while the margins are 1% or 1.1%, a win is a win. Its 65 W TDP and Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics also indicate a machine designed for heavier workloads, likely with a discrete-class GPU solution already integrated. The 44th percentile ranking and average score of 1950 place it just ahead of rivals like the Intel Core i5-1035G7 and within a rounding error of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE.

The Intel Core i7-1180G7, however, is not a loser in practical terms. Its 43rd percentile and 1930 average score are essentially tied with the i7-8709G. The architectural advantages are real: 10 nm process, larger L1 and L2 per core, 12 MB L3, 4.60 GHz boost, LPDDR4X memory, PCIe Gen 4, and a 9 W TDP. For thin-and-light laptops, fanless designs, or any system where power draw and thermals dominate the design constraints, the i7-1180G7 is the obvious pick despite its end-of-life status. The i7-8709G's 65 W TDP is a non-starter for such use cases.

Do not overthink the Cinebench deltas. A 1.1% lead in R23 multicore is not a reason to choose one over the other. Instead, let the specification differences drive the decision. The i7-8709G wins on raw benchmark scores, active production status, and integrated Radeon graphics. The i7-1180G7 wins on efficiency, newer memory and PCIe support, larger cache, and a higher boost clock. The recorded data supports either choice depending on your platform priorities, with the i7-8709G taking the performance crown by a hair and the i7-1180G7 offering a far more modern feature set in a fraction of the power envelope.