Intel Core i5-8500T

Intel Core i5-8500T is a 6-core, 6-thread desktop processor built on the Coffee Lake architecture and 14 nm process node, with base and boost clocks of 2.10 GHz and 3.50 GHz respectively. It carries a 35 W TDP, placing it in a low-power class for desktop parts, and supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The processor includes UHD 630 integrated graphics, 9 MB of shared L3 cache, and 64 KB L1 plus 256 KB L2 per core, with a production status of end-of-life and an April 2018 release date. Benchmark results show an average score of 2090 across all tests, placing it at the 48th percentile of all CPUs, which indicates a mid-pack position in the broader performance landscape.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i5-8500T’s benchmark results reveal a processor tuned for efficiency rather than raw throughput, with scores that cluster tightly around its nearest rivals. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the chip scores 660, while the single-core test yields 93; these figures translate to a multi-core advantage of roughly 7x over single-core, reflecting the six physical cores working in parallel. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore score rises to 2753 and single-core to 388, and in R23, the multicore result is 6557 with single-core at 925. Geekbench results show 4152 multicore and 1192 single-core, reinforcing a consistent pattern: the processor’s multi-threaded performance is substantially stronger than its per-thread capability, which is typical for a part with a modest boost clock of 3.50 GHz.

Against the field, the average benchmark score of 2090 places the i5-8500T at the 48th percentile, meaning roughly half of all CPUs score higher and half lower. The nearest rival, AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544, posts an average score of 2086, a delta of 0.2% — essentially a statistical tie, with the Intel part leading by a hair. The Intel Xeon W-2123 scores 2095, putting it 0.2% ahead of the i5-8500T, while the Intel Core i5-1130G7 trails by 0.3% with a score of 2084, and the Intel Core i3-9350KF leads by 0.4% at 2099. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, indicating that the i5-8500T sits in an extremely competitive performance band where no single metric decisively separates it from its peers. In practical terms, the data shows that for synthetic multi-core workloads, the i5-8500T is effectively indistinguishable from these four alternatives, with differences that would be lost in run-to-run variance.

How It Compares

AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544: The Ryzen Embedded R2544 averages 2086, just 0.2% below the i5-8500T’s 2090. This is a near-perfect match in aggregate performance, suggesting that workloads relying on multi-threaded execution will see virtually identical completion times. The i5-8500T’s slight edge is negligible, and the choice between them would hinge on platform features rather than compute capability.

Intel Xeon W-2123: The Xeon W-2123 scores 2095, which is 0.2% higher than the i5-8500T. This places the Xeon marginally ahead in average performance, but the gap is so small that it falls within typical measurement noise. The i5-8500T’s lower TDP of 35 W versus the Xeon’s likely higher draw (not specified here) could make it more attractive for thermally constrained systems, though the benchmark data alone does not separate them meaningfully.

Intel Core i5-1130G7: The i5-1130G7 averages 2084, trailing the i5-8500T by 0.3%. Despite being a newer-generation part, the G7’s performance is essentially on par with the older Coffee Lake chip. This suggests that the i5-8500T’s six physical cores at 2.10 GHz base are competitive with a newer low-power design, and the benchmark scores confirm that generational improvements have not translated into a decisive lead in this segment.

Intel Core i3-9350KF: The i3-9350KF leads the group with an average score of 2099, 0.4% above the i5-8500T. The i3 has fewer cores (likely four, though not stated) but a higher clock, and yet the aggregate scores are nearly identical. This indicates that the i5-8500T’s extra two cores compensate for its lower frequency, producing a balanced trade-off that yields comparable overall performance in mixed workloads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread scores reveals a processor that is heavily skewed toward parallel workloads. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score of 6557 is 7.1 times the single-core score of 925; similarly, R20 shows a ratio of 7.1x (2753 vs 388), and R15 shows 7.1x (660 vs 93). Geekbench shows a smaller ratio of 3.5x (4152 vs 1192), reflecting that test’s different weighting of memory and cache behavior. These ratios indicate that the i5-8500T scales well across its six cores, but the single-core scores themselves are modest — a consequence of the 3.50 GHz boost clock, which is low by modern standards. For real workloads, this means the processor will excel in tasks that can utilize all six threads, such as video encoding, compilation, or 3D rendering, where the multicore scores suggest competitive throughput. Conversely, lightly threaded applications that depend on a single core’s speed — such as older games or certain scripting tasks — will see performance limited by the 925 R23 single-core score, which is adequate but not exceptional. The data shows a clear trade-off: the 35 W TDP enables sustained multi-core operation without thermal throttling, but it caps the maximum frequency, and thus single-thread responsiveness, at a level that is below many desktop parts.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the Intel Core i5-8500T?

A: The average benchmark score is 2090, based on results from Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench tests.

Q: How does the i5-8500T compare to the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544?

A: The Ryzen Embedded R2544 has an average score of 2086, which is 0.2% lower than the i5-8500T’s 2090, making the two effectively equal in aggregate performance.

Q: What is the single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The single-core score in Cinebench R23 is 925, while the multicore score is 6557, a ratio of about 7.1x.

Q: Does the i5-8500T support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; the processor supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i5-8500T include?

A: It includes Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics, which is part of the Coffee Lake package.

Q: What is the TDP of the i5-8500T?

A: The TDP is 35 W, which classifies it as a low-power desktop processor suitable for compact or thermally limited systems.

Power and Thermals

The 35 W TDP of the Core i5-8500T is the defining characteristic of its power profile, placing it in the efficiency tier of desktop processors. This low TDP, combined with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boost of 3.50 GHz, indicates that the chip is designed to operate within a tight thermal envelope, likely requiring only a modest cooling solution — a capable air cooler with a small heatsink or a low-profile cooler in a compact chassis would suffice. The 14 nm process node from Intel contributes to this efficiency, as does the absence of an unlocked multiplier, which prevents overclocking and keeps power draw predictable. The memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and DDR4 support are consistent with a mainstream platform, and the PCIe Gen 3 implementation with 16 CPU lanes provides adequate connectivity for standard configurations. In practice, the 35 W TDP means the processor can sustain multi-core workloads without the need for aggressive cooling, but it also caps peak performance; the benchmark scores reflect this balance, with multicore results that are competitive despite the low power limit. For systems where heat dissipation is a priority — such as small form factor builds or always-on machines — the i5-8500T offers a compelling profile, as the data shows it delivers performance on par with higher-power rivals while drawing significantly less power. The end-of-life status and 2018 release date further suggest that this part is targeted at long-life industrial or embedded deployments where stability and low power outweigh peak performance.