Intel Core i7-1195G7 vs Intel Core i9-8950HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

This matchup is closer than the core counts suggest. The Intel Core i7-1195G7 wins seven of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, but the margins are razor-thin in most tests. The single exception is a decisive victory for the older Intel Core i9-8950HK.

In the Cinebench suite, the i7-1195G7 edges ahead across every iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 887 against 884 for the i9, a 0.3% lead. The single-core gap is slightly larger at 0.8% (125 vs 124). Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-1195G7 posts 3697 multi-core versus 3686, again a 0.3% advantage, and 521 single-core versus 520, a 0.2% lead. The pattern continues in Cinebench R23: the i7-1195G7 scores 8803 multi-core against 8777, a 0.3% win, and 1242 single-core against 1239, a 0.2% margin.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In multi-core, the i9-8950HK pulls ahead with a score of 4577 versus 4248 for the i7-1195G7, a substantial 7.7% victory. However, the i7-1195G7 dominates in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1584 against 1318 — a massive 16.8% swing in its favor.

The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity. The i9-8950HK averages 2641, while the i7-1195G7 averages 2638, a difference of only 0.1%. Both CPUs sit at the 49th percentile among all tested processors. The nearest rivals for the i9-8950HK include the Intel Core i7-5820K (2642, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E-2274G (2643, -0.1% delta). For the i7-1195G7, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-7740X (2648, -0.4% delta), with the i9-8950HK itself listed as a rival at -0.1%.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-1195G7 wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i9-8950HK wins only the Geekbench multi-core test.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap?

A: The i7-1195G7 leads by 16.8% in Geekbench single-core (1584 vs 1318). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead shrinks to just 0.2% (1242 vs 1239).

Q: Is the i9-8950HK better in any multi-threaded workload?

A: Yes, in Geekbench multi-core it scores 4577, which is 7.7% higher than the i7-1195G7's 4248. However, in all three Cinebench multi-core tests, the i7-1195G7 wins by 0.3% or less.

Q: Are these CPUs equally fast overall?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i9-8950HK averages 2641, and the i7-1195G7 averages 2638, a delta of just 0.1%.

Q: What is the launch price of the i7-1195G7?

A: The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i7-1195G7 is $426. The i9-8950HK has no listed launch MSRP in the data.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i9-8950HK and the Intel Core i7-1195G7 do not support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1195G7 is the default choice for anyone prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness. Its 16.8% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in this entire comparison. This translates to snappier day-to-day operation in lightly-threaded applications. It also wins every Cinebench test, albeit by margins under 1%, meaning it holds a slight edge in rendering workloads that use those specific benchmarks. For a mobile chip with a 28W TDP, it delivers surprisingly competitive multi-core scores that match a 95W part.

The Intel Core i9-8950HK has one clear specialty: Geekbench multi-core. Its 7.7% lead in that specific test is significant and suggests it handles certain types of parallel workloads better. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it has more raw parallel hardware than the 4-core, 8-thread i7-1195G7. If your primary benchmark is Geekbench multi-core, the i9-8950HK is the stronger performer. However, this advantage does not carry over to the Cinebench suite, where it loses by narrow margins.

The overall win count (7-1 for the i7-1195G7) is decisive, but the average scores are essentially tied. The i7-1195G7 is the more consistent performer across the board, while the i9-8950HK wins where it counts for some users. The choice depends on whether you value the i7's single-core dominance and slight Cinebench edge or the i9's Geekbench multi-core advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors have different core configurations. The i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-1195G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Both have a base clock of 2.90 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: the i9-8950HK boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the i7-1195G7 boosts higher to 5.00 GHz.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i9-8950HK has a TDP of 95W, while the i7-1195G7 is rated at just 28W. This reflects their different sockets and platforms: the i9-8950HK uses Intel BGA 1440, while the i7-1195G7 uses Intel BGA 1449.

Memory support differs as well. The i9-8950HK supports DDR4 memory only. The i7-1195G7 supports DDR4, LPDDR4, and LPDDR4X, and it has a dual-channel memory bus. The i7-1195G7 also has PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-8950HK has no PCIe specification listed.

The integrated graphics are completely different. The i9-8950HK features the UHD 630, while the i7-1195G7 features the Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU. The i9-8950HK has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7-1195G7 is locked.

Architecture Differences

These CPUs come from different architectural generations. The i9-8950HK is built on Coffee Lake, specifically Coffee Lake-H, and is part of the Core i9 generation. The i7-1195G7 is built on Tiger Lake, specifically Tiger Lake-U, and belongs to the Core i7 (Willow Cove-U) generation.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The i9-8950HK uses Intel's 14 nm process node, while the i7-1195G7 uses the newer 10 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the die sizes differ: the i9-8950HK has a die size of 149 mm², while the i7-1195G7 is slightly smaller at 144 mm².

Cache layouts are notably different. The i9-8950HK has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i7-1195G7 has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and a substantial 1.25 MB of L2 per core. Both CPUs share 12 MB of L3 cache.

The release dates are years apart. The i9-8950HK was released on 2018-04-01, while the i7-1195G7 was released on 2021-05-30. Both are now end-of-life products. The part numbers are SRCKN for the i9-8950HK and SRKSC for the i7-1195G7.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-1195G7 as the better all-around processor. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. Its single-core performance is dramatically better, especially in Geekbench where it leads by 16.8%. It also wins every Cinebench test, which covers both single-core and multi-core workloads, even if the margins are under 1%. The fact that it achieves this at a 28W TDP, compared to the i9-8950HK's 95W, makes its performance parity in multi-core tests even more impressive.

The i9-8950HK is the right pick only if your workload is specifically aligned with Geekbench multi-core performance. Its 7.7% lead in that single test is meaningful. It also has more cores and threads (6/12 vs 4/8) and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which may appeal to enthusiasts who want to tune their hardware. However, its higher TDP and older architecture do not translate to wins in the majority of benchmarks.

For most users, the i7-1195G7 is the sensible choice. It offers better single-core performance, a slight multi-core edge in Cinebench, and a much more power-efficient design. The i9-8950HK is a niche part that wins one significant benchmark but loses everywhere else. The average scores are nearly identical (2641 vs 2638), but the consistency of the i7-1195G7 across the benchmark suite makes it the winner here. Choose the i9-8950HK only if you have a specific need for its Geekbench multi-core strength; otherwise, the i7-1195G7 is the data-backed pick.