Intel Core i7-8559U vs Intel Core i7-8809G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-8809G starts at 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-8559U has a 2.70 GHz base clock. The 8809G runs 0.40 GHz higher at idle or low-load conditions.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two chips?

A: The i7-8559U reaches 4.50 GHz on its boost clock, which is 0.30 GHz higher than the 4.20 GHz boost of the i7-8809G. This gives the 8559U a single-thread frequency advantage in short bursts.

Q: How do their thermal design power ratings compare?

A: The i7-8809G carries a 65 W TDP, whereas the i7-8559U is rated at 28 W. That 37 W gap reflects the 8809G's higher sustained power draw and more robust cooling requirements.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The i7-8809G wins all four multi-core benchmark tests. Its lead ranges from 2.9% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core to 6.9% in Geekbench multi-core, with a 3% edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core workloads?

A: The i7-8809G also wins every single-core test, though by smaller margins. The gap is 3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 2.7% in R20 single-core, 2.8% in R23 single-core, and only 1.2% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 14 nm process node and share the Kaby Lake architecture. The 8809G belongs to the Kaby Lake-G codename family, while the 8559U is part of Kaby Lake-R (U Refresh).

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear sweep: the i7-8809G wins all eight head-to-head tests, with zero wins for the i7-8559U. However, the magnitude of those wins varies significantly by workload type, which reveals where each chip has its strengths.

The i7-8809G shines in multi-threaded applications. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 4590 versus 4293 for the 8559U represents a 6.9% advantage, the largest single gap in the entire comparison. This suggests the 8809G handles heavily parallel workloads, such as video rendering, 3D scene compilation, or scientific simulations, with noticeably more headroom. The Cinebench multi-core results reinforce this pattern: R15 shows 724 versus 703 (3% lead), R20 shows 3017 versus 2933 (2.9% lead), and R23 shows 7185 versus 6984 (2.9% lead). The consistency across three generations of Cinebench indicates the 8809G's higher base clock and 65 W TDP translate into sustained multi-core performance that the 28 W 8559U cannot match under prolonged load.

In single-core workloads, the 8809G wins are real but modest. The largest single-core margin is 3% in Cinebench R15 (102 versus 99), while Geekbench single-core shows only 1.2% (1401 versus 1384). This narrow gap suggests that for everyday tasks like web browsing, office productivity, or light code compilation, the two processors feel nearly identical. The 8559U's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz partially offsets the 8809G's higher base clock, keeping single-thread performance close. The 8559U's 28 W TDP allows it to hit that 4.50 GHz boost in short bursts, which is why the single-core differences remain under 3% across all tests.

The practical takeaway: the 8809G is the pick for sustained multi-core workloads where every percentage point counts, especially in Geekbench multi-core where it leads by nearly 7%. The 8559U, despite losing every test, comes within 3% or less in six of the eight benchmarks, making it a viable choice for lighter, bursty workloads where lower power draw matters more than peak throughput.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental Kaby Lake architecture and are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node. They are both quad-core, eight-thread parts with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory, and both are unlocked multipliers are disabled.

The key architectural divergence lies in their codename families and integrated graphics. The i7-8809G belongs to Kaby Lake-G, which pairs Intel's CPU cores with a discrete-class Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics processor on the same package. This is a significant architectural departure from the i7-8559U, which uses Intel's Iris Pro Plus integrated graphics. The 8809G's Radeon graphics solution is designed for gaming and GPU-accelerated compute, while the 8559U's Iris Pro Plus targets mainstream media and display output.

The socket differences also reflect architectural intent. The 8809G uses Intel BGA 2270, a larger package that accommodates the Vega graphics die and associated HBM memory. The 8559U uses Intel BGA 1356, a smaller, lower-power package typical of ultraportable designs. The 8809G's 65 W TDP versus the 8559U's 28 W TDP is not just a power specification; it indicates a fundamentally different thermal architecture. The 8809G is designed for larger chassis with active cooling solutions, while the 8559U can operate in fanless or low-noise thin-and-light systems.

The release dates differ by roughly two months, with the 8809G launching on January 31, 2018, and the 8559U on April 4, 2018. Both are still marked as Active in production status. The 8559U has a published die size of 123 mm², while the 8809G's die size is not recorded in the database, likely because the package includes multiple dies.

Memory support is identical: both support DDR4. Neither has recorded memory bus width, bandwidth, or PCIe lane counts in the database. The generation labels differ (Kaby Lake-G versus Kaby Lake-U Refresh), but the underlying CPU core design is the same 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on six recorded specification fields:

Base Clock: The i7-8809G runs at 3.10 GHz, which is 0.40 GHz higher than the i7-8559U's 2.70 GHz.

Boost Clock: The i7-8559U reaches 4.50 GHz, which is 0.30 GHz higher than the i7-8809G's 4.20 GHz.

TDP: The i7-8809G is rated at 65 W, while the i7-8559U is rated at 28 W. This is the largest specification gap between the two.

Socket: The i7-8809G uses Intel BGA 2270, while the i7-8559U uses Intel BGA 1356. These are not interchangeable.

Codename: The i7-8809G is Kaby Lake G, while the i7-8559U is Kaby Lake-R.

Integrated Graphics: The i7-8809G features Radeon RX Vega M GH, while the i7-8559U features Iris Pro Plus.

Die Size: The i7-8559U has a recorded die size of 123 mm², while the i7-8809G has no die size recorded.

All other specifications are identical: 4 cores, 8 threads, 14 nm process, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 8 MB shared L3, DDR4 memory support, no ECC, no unlocked multiplier, mobile market segment, and Intel as both manufacturer and foundry.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The eight benchmark tests break into four Cinebench iterations and two Geekbench variants, each with multi-core and single-core modes. The i7-8809G wins all eight, but the margins tell a nuanced story.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 8809G scores 724 against 703 for the 8559U, a 3% advantage. This is the first test and sets the pattern: the 8809G leads, but not by a dominant margin. The R15 single-core test shows 102 versus 99, again 3%. These early results suggest the 8809G's higher base clock provides a consistent edge, but the 8559U's higher boost clock keeps the gap from widening.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3017 versus 2933, a 2.9% lead for the 8809G. The single-core scores are 425 versus 414, a 2.7% lead. The margins are slightly smaller than in R15, indicating that as the workload becomes more demanding, the 8559U's power management allows it to hold closer to the 8809G's performance.

Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: multi-core 7185 versus 6984 (2.9% lead), single-core 1014 versus 986 (2.8% lead). The consistency across R15, R20, and R23 is remarkable. The 8809G's multi-core lead stays between 2.9% and 3.0% across all three versions, while the single-core lead stays between 2.7% and 3.0%. This stability suggests the architectural relationship between the two chips is well-understood: the 8809G has a fixed advantage from its higher base clock, and the 8559U's boost clock does not close the gap in sustained workloads.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multi-core, the 8809G scores 4590 versus 4293, a 6.9% lead. This is more than double the Cinebench multi-core margins. Geekbench multi-core often exercises memory latency and integer performance differently than Cinebench, and the 8809G's 65 W TDP likely allows more aggressive memory controller and cache behavior. The single-core Geekbench test shows 1401 versus 1384, only a 1.2% lead, the smallest margin in the entire comparison. This near-tie in single-core Geekbench aligns with the expectation that both chips have similar per-core IPC, and the 8559U's higher boost clock nearly cancels the 8809G's base clock advantage.

The wins distribution is decisive: 8 wins for the 8809G, 0 for the 8559U. But the average benchmark scores reflect a closer overall picture. The 8809G has an average score of 2307, while the 8559U averages 2225. That 82-point gap translates to roughly 3.7%, which is consistent with the individual benchmark margins.

Looking at nearest rivals for context, the 8809G sits at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i5-10400H, 0.5% lower than the Intel Xeon E-2134, and 0.6% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 2700. The 8559U sits at the 47th percentile, with an average score exactly matching the Intel Core i7-5775C, 0.1% higher than the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3, and 0.3% higher than the Intel Xeon D-1548.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow victory for the i7-8809G. It wins every benchmark, with an average score of 2307 versus 2225 for the i7-8559U, and it does so without a single loss across eight tests. The largest margin is 6.9% in Geekbench multi-core, and the smallest is 1.2% in Geekbench single-core. For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the 8809G is the objectively stronger processor.

However, the i7-8559U is not far behind. In six of eight tests, the gap is 3% or less, and in Geekbench single-core, the difference is just 1.2%. The 8559U's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, combined with its 28 W TDP, makes it the more power-efficient choice for thin-and-light laptops where sustained multi-core loads are rare. Its iris Pro Plus graphics, while less powerful than the 8809G's Radeon RX Vega M GH, is sufficient for everyday media and display tasks.

The choice depends on chassis and usage model. The 8809G, with its 65 W TDP and BGA 2270 socket, belongs in larger notebooks with active cooling, where its multi-core advantage can be sustained. The 8559U, with its 28 W TDP and BGA 1356 socket, fits ultraportable designs where battery life and thermal limits dominate. Both processors are still Active in production, and both target the mobile segment, but the 8809G is the performance pick while the 8559U is the efficiency pick. The benchmark data does not support choosing the 8559U for raw speed; it only makes sense when power consumption and physical size are the primary constraints.