Core i5-1035G4 vs Core i5-8500T

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-1035G4 vs Core i5-8500T FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-1035G4 vs Core i5-8500T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-1035G4

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,658 vs 7,730).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Core i5-8500T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-1035G4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1035G4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-1035G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1035G4 better than Core i5-8500T?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1035G4 is ahead with a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-8500T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-1035G4 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1035G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (40.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-1035G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-1035G4 vs Core i5-8500T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-1035G4

The Core i5-1035G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,658 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i5-8500T

The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1035G4 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8500T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-1035G4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-1035G4 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-1035G4 uses the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-8500T uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1035G4 scores 7,658 against the Core i5-8500T's 7,730 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8500T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 922 vs 1,192, a 25.5% lead for the Core i5-8500T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1035G4 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T.

Feature	Core i5-1035G4	Core i5-8500T
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.1 GHz+91%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	7,658	7,730
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,332	—
Geekbench 6 Single	922	1,192+29%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,919	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1035G4 uses the FCBGA1526 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1035G4 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500T — the Core i5-1035G4 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-1035G4	Core i5-8500T
Socket	FCBGA1526	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-1035G4) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G4 (Core i5-1035G4) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1035G4 targets Ultra-portable laptops, Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1035G4 rivals Ryzen 5 3500U; Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.

Feature	Core i5-1035G4	Core i5-8500T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G4	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Ultra-portable laptops	Low Power Desktop