Intel Core i7-8550U vs Intel Core i7-8650U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-8650U wins every single benchmark in the database against the Intel Core i7-8550U. Across 17 head-to-head tests, the 8650U takes 17 wins, while the 8550U records zero. This is not a close contest by any metric; the 8650U is uniformly faster in both single-thread and multi-thread workloads.

The largest margin appears in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the 8650U scores 5042 against the 8550U's 4665, a delta of 8.1%. This indicates a meaningful advantage in workloads that leverage advanced CPU instruction sets, such as encryption or media encoding. The single-core Cinebench R15 test also shows a notable gap: the 8650U posts 74 points versus 69 points, a 7.2% improvement. Similarly, Cinebench R20 single-core shows 311 versus 291, a 6.9% edge.

Multi-threaded performance follows the same pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 8650U reaches 5253 while the 8550U manages 4926, a 6.6% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 529 against 496, also a 6.7% gap. The PassMark multi-thread test records 6193 for the 8650U and 5835 for the 8550U, a 6.1% difference. These margins are consistent, suggesting the 8650U's advantage comes from its higher clock speeds rather than any architectural overhaul.

Some tests show smaller but still clear wins. PassMark physics scores 472 versus 451, a 4.7% delta. PassMark single-thread scores 2103 versus 2021, a 4.1% difference. The find prime numbers test is a dead heat at 22 points each, with a 0% delta, marking the only tie in the entire dataset. Even there, the 8650U is not behind. Data compression shows 78936 versus 74223, a 6.3% gain, and floating-point math records 13299 versus 12523, a 6.2% improvement. Integer math is close behind at 6.0%, with 22007 versus 20770.

The average benchmark score in the database puts the 8650U at 8932, while the 8550U sits at 8407. That is a difference of roughly 525 points, or about 6.2% overall. The 8650U also holds a slightly better percentile ranking among all CPUs: 65 versus 64. In practical terms, the 8650U is the faster chip in every workload category that the database tracks, from rendering to encryption to general math.

When placed against the broader market, the 8650U's nearest rival by average score is the Intel Xeon Gold 6330, which scores 8939, a delta of -0.1% (meaning the 8650U is essentially tied). The Core i5-8350U scores 8998, which is 0.7% higher. The Core i5-1135G7 scores 9053, 1.3% higher, and the Xeon Gold 6346 scores 9155, 2.4% higher. For the 8550U, its nearest rival is the Xeon Gold 5318N at 8433, a -0.3% delta. The Core i5-10210U scores 8344, which is 0.7% lower, and the Xeon Gold 5320T scores 8316, 1.1% lower. These numbers show both chips are competitive in their respective tiers, but the 8650U sits slightly higher in the overall distribution.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: if you are choosing between these two mobile processors, the Intel Core i7-8650U is the better pick for every task measured. It wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 4.1% to 8.1%. The only tie is in the prime number test, where both score 22. There is no workload in the database where the 8550U pulls ahead, so the 8650U is the safer choice for anyone who wants the fastest possible performance from a 15-watt mobile chip.

That said, the differences are not enormous in absolute terms. A 6% to 7% gain in multi-core rendering or a 4% gain in single-thread tasks is noticeable but not transformative. In everyday office work, web browsing, or light productivity, most users would struggle to perceive the gap. The 8650U is clearly the superior silicon, but the 8550U is not a bad chip; it simply sits one step lower in the same family.

Who should pick the 8650U? Anyone running CPU-bound tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or heavy spreadsheet calculations, where that extra 6% to 8% translates into meaningful time savings. Also, anyone who wants the higher single-thread score for snappier application responsiveness. Who should pick the 8550U? Only if the 8650U is unavailable or if the price difference (not listed here) makes the 8550U the only rational choice. On pure benchmark evidence, the 8650U is the winner without qualification.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8650U. It scores 529 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 2206 in R20, and 5253 in R23. The 8550U scores 496, 2068, and 4926 respectively.

Q: Is there any test where the Intel Core i7-8550U wins?

A: No. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, the 8550U records zero wins. The closest result is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where both chips score 22, a 0% delta.

Q: How much faster is the 8650U in single-thread performance?

A: The 8650U leads by 4.1% in PassMark single-thread (2103 versus 2021), by 7.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (74 versus 69), and by 6.9% in Cinebench R20 single-core (311 versus 291).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each chip?

A: The 8650U has an average benchmark score of 8932, while the 8550U has an average of 8407. The 8650U also ranks at the 65th percentile among all CPUs, versus the 64th percentile for the 8550U.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The difference in performance comes from clock speeds, not core counts.

Q: Which chip is better for encrypted data workloads?

A: The 8650U. It scores 2067 in PassMark data encryption versus 1944 for the 8550U, a 6.3% advantage. It also wins extended instructions by 8.1% (5042 versus 4665), which covers similar instruction-heavy tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors share most of their core specifications, but the clock speeds differ. The Intel Core i7-8650U has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Core i7-8550U has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. That is a 100 MHz higher base and a 200 MHz higher boost for the 8650U, which explains the consistent benchmark deltas.

Both chips have the same TDP of 15 watts, the same Intel BGA 1356 socket, and the same part number family (SR3L8 for the 8650U, SR3LC for the 8550U). Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not available on either. Memory support is DDR4 for both. The integrated graphics are identical: UHD 620. Both are listed as Active in production status, and both were released on the same date, 2017-08-20.

There are no differences in cache sizes. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is identical at 123 mm², and both use the same 14 nm process node. Neither supports ECC memory. The only specification fields that differ are the base clock and boost clock.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, the two chips are essentially the same silicon with different clock bins. Both use the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R codename, and both belong to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation. They are built on the same 14 nm process at the same foundry, Intel. The die size is identical at 123 mm², and the transistor count is not listed in the database, so no difference can be noted there.

The core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 8 threads. The cache hierarchy is identical, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Both have the same integrated graphics solution, UHD 620, and neither supports ECC memory. The market segment is Mobile for both, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ (SR3L8 versus SR3LC), but this reflects the clock speed binning rather than a functional difference.

In short, the architecture is the same. The 8650U is a higher-binned version of the 8550U, with a 5.3% higher base clock (1900 MHz versus 1800 MHz) and a 5% higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 4.00 GHz). The benchmark performance scales almost exactly with those clock increases, which is what the data shows.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8650U wins in every category recorded in the database. It is faster in all Cinebench tests, both single-core and multi-core, across R15, R20, and R23 versions. It is faster in all PassMark tests, including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, multi-thread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread. The only test where it does not win outright is the find prime numbers test, where both score 22 and the delta is 0%.

Given that the 8550U has zero wins, the use-case split is straightforward. The 8650U is the better choice for any workload that benefits from higher clocks, which includes everything from single-threaded applications like legacy software to multi-threaded rendering tasks. The 8550U's only advantage would be if it were priced lower, but the database does not list pricing, so no such recommendation can be made from the data.

For practical guidance: if you are buying a laptop with one of these two chips, the 8650U will handle video editing, 3D modeling, and data analysis faster. The 8550U will still complete the same tasks, just 4% to 8% slower. For general office use, the difference is minor. For sustained heavy workloads, the 8650U is the clear winner. The percentile data confirms this: the 8650U ranks at the 65th percentile among all CPUs, while the 8550U ranks at the 64th. It is a small edge, but it is a consistent edge across every benchmark in the database.