Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i5-8500B

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 i5-1038NG7 vs Core i5-8500B 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 i5-1038NG7 vs Core i5-8500B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8500B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,823 vs 8,900).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).

Core i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8500B better than Core i5-1038NG7?

Yes. Core i5-8500B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8500B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B 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 i5-8500B is the better buy right now. Core i5-8500B comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-1038NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i5-8500B Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i5-8500B

The Core i5-8500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,900 points. Launch price was $192.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1038NG7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8500B offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8500B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500B (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-8500B uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Core i5-8500B's 8,900 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8500B. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,364, a 8.7% lead for the Core i5-8500B that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i5-8500B
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	8,823	8,900
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	1,364+9%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8500B uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500B — the Core i5-1038NG7 supports 40% 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 i5-1038NG7	Core i5-8500B
Socket	FCBGA1344	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733+40%	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

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1038NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8500B) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop, Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U; Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i5-8500B
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G7	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Mini PC/Embedded