Core i5-1035G7 vs Core i7-8709G

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 i5-1035G7 vs Core i7-8709G 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 i5-1035G7 vs Core i7-8709G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1035G7

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 100W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics G7, while Core i7-8709G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8709G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8709G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,934 vs 8,008).
❌Launch MSRP is still $338 MSRP, while Core i5-1035G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌566.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1035G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1035G7 better than Core i7-8709G?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8709G is ahead with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1035G7 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-8709G also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1035G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-1035G7 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-1035G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $338 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-8709G only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Core i5-1035G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1035G7 vs Core i7-8709G Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1035G7

The Core i5-1035G7 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 1.2 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: 8,008 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-8709G

The Core i7-8709G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,934 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1035G7 and Core i7-8709G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-1035G7 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8709G (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-1035G7 uses the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-8709G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1035G7 scores 8,008 against the Core i7-8709G's 7,934 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-1035G7. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1035G7 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G.

Feature	Core i5-1035G7	Core i7-8709G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.1 GHz+158%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	8,008	7,934
Geekbench 6 Single	1,515	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1035G7 uses the FCBGA1526 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8709G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1035G7	Core i7-8709G
Socket	FCBGA1526	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1035G7) / not specified (Core i7-8709G). The Core i5-1035G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G7), while the Core i7-8709G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1035G7 targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1035G7 rivals Ryzen 7 3700U.