Intel Core i7-8709G vs Intel Core i7-9850HL Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8709G and the Intel Core i7-9850HL are two mobile processors that, on paper, appear to target different segments of the laptop market but deliver remarkably similar performance. The data shows a consistent, albeit narrow, advantage for the i7-8709G across every benchmark in the Cinebench suite. While the i7-9850HL offers more cores and threads, the i7-8709G edges it out in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. This head-to-head comparison reveals a fascinating clash between a high-power Kaby Lake-G part with a discrete-class GPU and a low-power Coffee Lake-HR chip designed for efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The performance delta between these two CPUs is exceptionally tight, with the i7-8709G winning all six benchmark comparisons by a margin of less than one percent. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7-8709G scores 679 against the i7-9850HL's 676, a difference of just 0.4%. This pattern repeats in the R20 multicore test, where the i7-8709G scores 2832, edging out the 2819 result from the i7-9850HL by 0.5%. The trend continues in the demanding Cinebench R23 multicore workload, with the i7-8709G posting 6743 points versus 6712 for the i7-9850HL, again a 0.5% lead.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, with the i7-8709G taking a 0.5% advantage in both R20 and R23 tests. The R20 single-core scores are 399 for the i7-8709G and 397 for the i7-9850HL. In R23, the i7-8709G manages 952 points compared to the i7-9850HL's 947. Interestingly, the R15 single-core test results in a dead heat, with both processors scoring exactly 95 points. This absolute tie in the older benchmark suggests that the architectural differences are largely nullified at lower instruction-level parallelism, but the newer tests show the i7-8709G's slight edge.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture, with the i7-8709G averaging 1950 points across its benchmark suite, placing it 0.1% ahead of the i7-9850HL's 1941 average. Both CPUs sit at the 44th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are evenly matched in the broader market context. The i7-8709G's performance is closely mirrored by rivals like the Intel Core i5-1035G7 (1948 points) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE (1954 points), while the i7-9850HL's nearest competitor is the Intel Core i7-7820HQ (1940 points). This data suggests that the i7-8709G's higher clock speeds and lower core count are perfectly balanced against the i7-9850HL's additional cores and threads, resulting in a near-tie.

Where Each One Wins

Despite the narrow margins, there are clear use cases where each processor has a theoretical advantage based on its specifications. The i7-8709G wins every benchmark, but its lead is built on its higher base clock speed of 3.10 GHz, compared to the i7-9850HL's 1.90 GHz. This higher base frequency allows the i7-8709G to excel in lightly-threaded workloads that are sensitive to clock speed, such as legacy applications or tasks that cannot utilize more than a few cores. The data shows it also holds a slight edge in multi-threaded tests, suggesting its 4 cores and 8 threads are well-optimized for the Cinebench rendering workloads.

The i7-9850HL, on the other hand, is not without its merits. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it offers more parallel processing headroom. While it loses the multicore benchmarks by a hair, the architecture is better suited for workloads that can scale across many threads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or virtual machine hosting. The fact that it comes within 0.5% of the i7-8709G despite a significantly lower base clock confirms its additional cores. Furthermore, its 25W TDP makes it a far more efficient option for thin-and-light laptops, whereas the i7-8709G's 65W TDP demands more robust cooling. The i7-9850HL also features a Gen 3 PCIe interface and a dual-channel memory bus, which are standard modern features that the i7-8709G's specification list does not explicitly confirm.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The i7-8709G pairs its CPU with a Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics processor, which is a discrete-class GPU designed for gaming and creative work. The i7-9850HL, by contrast, relies on the integrated UHD Graphics 630. For users who need GPU compute for gaming or media creation, the i7-8709G is clearly the superior choice, as the data on its graphics hardware is not even available for the i7-9850HL to compete.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures, which explains their distinct characteristics. The i7-8709G is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically under the codename "Kaby Lake G." This is a unique variant that integrates a semi-custom Radeon GPU on the package. The i7-9850HL, meanwhile, uses the Coffee Lake architecture, with the codename "Coffee Lake-HR." Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node, so the underlying transistor technology is the same.

The core configurations differ significantly. The i7-8709G has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-9850HL has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both share the same per-core L1 cache (64 KB) and L2 cache (256 KB), but the L3 cache differs: the i7-8709G has 8 MB of shared L3, while the i7-9850HL has 9 MB. This extra 1 MB of L3 cache on the i7-9850HL likely helps mitigate the performance penalty of its lower base clock. The die size for the i7-9850HL is listed as 149 mm², while no die size is provided for the i7-8709G.

The sockets also differ: the i7-8709G uses Intel BGA 2270, while the i7-9850HL uses Intel BGA 1440. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard design. The i7-8709G has a TDP of 65W, which is more than double the i7-9850HL's 25W TDP. This power envelope difference is dramatic and reflects their intended use cases: the i7-8709G is for high-performance laptops with discrete cooling, while the i7-9850HL is for ultraportables prioritizing battery life. The i7-9850HL is also noted as "End-of-life" in production status, whereas the i7-8709G is listed as "Active." The i7-9850HL also has a known part number (SRFEH), which the i7-8709G lacks in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: Both the Intel Core i7-8709G and the Intel Core i7-9850HL have the same maximum boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, which is 0.1% higher than the i7-9850HL's average score of 1941.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HL has more cores and threads, with 6 cores and 12 threads, compared to the i7-8709G's 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Is one processor more efficient than the other?

A: Yes, the i7-9850HL has a significantly lower TDP of 25W, compared to the i7-8709G's 65W, indicating it consumes less power and requires less cooling.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions for each chip?

A: The i7-8709G features a Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated GPU, while the i7-9850HL is equipped with Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Q: Are these processors currently in production?

A: The i7-8709G is listed as "Active" in production status, while the i7-9850HL is listed as "End-of-life."

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8709G | Intel Core i7-9850HL |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Coffee Lake-HR |

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

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GH | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Die Size | Not specified | 149 mm² |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Part Number | Not specified | SRFEH |