Intel Core i7-8850H vs Intel Core i7-9750HF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i7-9750HF and the Intel Core i7-8850H is remarkably one-sided. Across all eight recorded tests, the i7-9750HF claims victory, though the margins are generally modest. The database shows a clean sweep: 8 wins for the i7-9750HF and 0 for the i7-8850H. This consistency suggests a systematic advantage rather than workload-specific quirks.

The largest gap appears in Geekbench single-core performance. Here, the i7-9750HF scores 1365 against 1300 for the i7-8850H, a delta of 5%. This is the most pronounced difference in the entire dataset. Single-core performance matters for everyday responsiveness, legacy software, and lightly threaded applications, so this lead is meaningful despite being under 100 points in absolute terms.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-9750HF posts 876 points versus 857 for the i7-8850H, a 2.2% advantage. The single-core variant of the same test shows 123 points against 120, a 2.5% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result repeats the exact 2.2% pattern: 3652 against 3574. The R20 single-core test shows 515 versus 504, again 2.2%. Cinebench R23 multicore follows with 8696 against 8511, and R23 single-core with 1227 against 1201, both also at 2.2%. This repeating delta of 2.2% across the Cinebench family is striking; it implies that the i7-9750HF holds a stable, clock-driven advantage under sustained render workloads.

Geekbench multicore shows a slightly smaller gap: 4844 versus 4765, a 1.7% difference. That this margin is narrower than the Cinebench deltas hints that the multicore advantage is not purely linear with thread count. The i7-8850H closes some ground in the more general-purpose Geekbench workload, yet it still falls short.

The pattern is clear: the i7-9750HF wins every head-to-head test, with deltas ranging from 1.7% to 5%. The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this: the i7-9750HF sits at 2662, while the i7-8850H sits at 2604, a difference of roughly 2.2% overall. The i7-9750HF also edges out its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3, by a hair with a delta of -0.1%, meaning it is essentially tied at 2662 versus 2664. The i7-8850H, by contrast, trails the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE by 0.3% and the Intel Xeon E-2174G by 0.6%, though it leads the Intel Xeon W-2125 by 0.7%.

Where Each One Wins

Given the sweep, the question is not which CPU wins specific tests, but where the i7-8850H can at least narrow the gap. The data shows that the i7-8850H comes closest in Geekbench multicore, where the deficit is only 1.7%. This suggests that in mixed, real-world-style computing, the i7-8850H is almost on par. For users running varied applications, database queries, or productivity suites that do not hammer all cores with identical instructions, the difference would likely be imperceptible.

The i7-9750HF, however, wins decisively in single-core performance, particularly in Geekbench where it leads by 5%. For tasks that depend on a single fast thread, such as older games, spreadsheet recalculation, or scripting, the i7-9750HF is the clear pick. The Cinebench family of tests also favors the i7-9750HF by a steady 2.2% in both single and multicore modes, so any workload that resembles a short or long render will see the same proportional benefit.

The i7-8850H does not win any benchmark category outright. Its best showing is that narrow 1.7% gap in Geekbench multicore, and even there it loses. The i7-9750HF also holds the edge in the average benchmark score, with a 50th percentile rank versus 49th for the i7-8850H. Both CPUs sit near the middle of the database distribution, but the i7-9750HF sits one point higher.

For thermal and power constrained laptops, the i7-8850H's lower boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 4.50 GHz on the i7-9750HF may translate to slightly lower peak heat generation, but the database does not record sustained power behavior. What the data does show is that the i7-9750HF's higher boost clock, 4.50 GHz against 4.30 GHz, aligns with its benchmark wins. Its base clock is lower at 2.60 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, meaning the i7-8850H starts higher but peaks lower.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-9750HF is the faster processor in every measured category. Users who prioritize raw compute, especially single-threaded speed, should select it without hesitation. The 5% Geekbench single-core lead is the single largest margin in the dataset, and the consistent 2.2% Cinebench advantages across three versions of the render test indicate a dependable performance uplift in CPU-bound tasks.

The Intel Core i7-8850H is not without merit. Its Geekbench multicore score of 4765 is only 1.7% behind, meaning that in general-purpose multitasking, the two will feel similar. However, it loses every head-to-head test, and its average score of 2604 places it below the i7-9750HF's 2662. The i7-8850H also carries integrated graphics in the form of the UHD 630, while the i7-9750HF has no integrated graphics at all. This is a notable hardware difference: the i7-9750HF requires a discrete GPU, whereas the i7-8850H can drive a display on its own. For a laptop without a dedicated graphics card, the i7-8850H is the only functional choice. For a system with a discrete GPU, the i7-9750HF offers better CPU performance and should be preferred.

Both are end-of-life mobile parts on the Intel BGA 1440 socket, both have 6 cores and 12 threads, and both share the same 14 nm process node and 149 mm² die size. The decision ultimately comes down to whether the system has a discrete GPU. If it does, the i7-9750HF wins. If it does not, the i7-8850H is the only option that can output video without additional hardware. The benchmark data is unambiguous on performance: the i7-9750HF is superior in all eight tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-9750HF. It wins all single-core tests in the database, with a 2.5% lead in Cinebench R15, 2.2% in Cinebench R20 and R23, and a 5% lead in Geekbench over the i7-8850H.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multicore rendering?

A: The i7-9750HF leads in every multicore test: Cinebench R15 by 2.2%, Cinebench R20 by 2.2%, Cinebench R23 by 2.2%, and Geekbench by 1.7%. Scores are 876 versus 857, 3652 versus 3574, 8696 versus 8511, and 4844 versus 4765 respectively.

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

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads. They also share the same 12 MB shared L3 cache, 64 KB L1 cache per core, and 256 KB L2 cache per core.

Q: Is there a difference in integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The i7-8850H includes Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics, while the i7-9750HF has no integrated graphics. This means the i7-9750HF requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i7-9750HF has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i7-8850H has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The i7-8850H starts higher but peaks lower.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores rank against other CPUs?

A: The i7-9750HF has an average benchmark score of 2662 and ranks in the 50th percentile. The i7-8850H has an average score of 2604 and ranks in the 49th percentile. Both sit near the middle of the database.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to Intel's Coffee Lake architecture family, but they come from different revisions. The i7-9750HF is part of the Coffee Lake-HR generation, while the i7-8850H is Coffee Lake-H. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node at the same foundry, and both have a die size of 149 mm². The socket is identical: Intel BGA 1440. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as end-of-life in the database.

The core configuration is identical. Each has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support is DDR4, and the i7-9750HF specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The i7-8850H does not list a memory bus or bandwidth figure in the database, though it supports DDR4 as well. Neither CPU supports ECC memory.

The most significant architectural difference is the integrated graphics. The i7-8850H includes Intel UHD 630, while the i7-9750HF has no integrated graphics at all. The "F" suffix in the i7-9750HF part number typically denotes this lack of iGPU. This affects system design: a laptop with the i7-9750HF must have a discrete graphics solution, while the i7-8850H can operate with integrated graphics alone.

The i7-9750HF also lists PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-8850H does not have a PCIe version recorded in the database. Both CPUs use the same 45 W TDP. The release dates differ: the i7-9750HF launched on 2019-04-22, while the i7-8850H launched on 2018-04-01. The part numbers are SRG1T for the i7-9750HF and SR3YZ for the i7-8850H.

Clock behavior is the other notable divergence. The i7-9750HF has a lower base clock of 2.60 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i7-8850H has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.30 GHz. This explains the benchmark results: the i7-9750HF can reach a higher peak frequency, which drives its single-core wins, and it sustains a 2.2% lead in the Cinebench family, suggesting its boost behavior is at least as effective under load. The i7-8850H's higher base clock does not translate into any benchmark victory.

The database records no launch MSRP for either part, and neither CPU has a listed series. Both target the mobile segment. The i7-9750HF's lack of integrated graphics and its higher boost clock make it a specialized part for performance laptops with discrete GPUs, while the i7-8850H is a more general-purpose mobile processor capable of standalone operation. The architecture is fundamentally the same silicon, but the feature split and clock tuning create the performance gap observed across all eight benchmarks.