Core i5-1135G7 vs Core i5-8500

Intel

Core i5-1135G7

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2020
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Core i5-8500

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
Similar parts
·······

Core i5-1135G7 vs Core i5-8500 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-1135G7 vs Core i5-8500 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 i5-1135G7 vs Core i5-8500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1135G7

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU), while Core i5-8500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (9,414 vs 9,521).

Core i5-8500

2018

Why buy it

  • +1.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-1135G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1135G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1135G7 better than Core i5-8500?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1135G7 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-1135G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1135G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (49.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1135G7 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 i5-1135G7 vs Core i5-8500 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-1135G7

The Core i5-1135G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,414 points. Launch price was $309.

Intel

Core i5-8500

The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 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 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: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.

Processing Power

The Core i5-1135G7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-8500 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1135G7 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-1135G7 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-1135G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-8500 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1135G7 scores 9,414 against the Core i5-8500's 9,521 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-8500. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-1135G7 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Core i5-8500
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+2%
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
1.5 GHz
3 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021)
Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark
9,414
9,521+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
5,183
Geekbench 6 Single
1,592
Geekbench 6 Multi
4,495
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1135G7 uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-8500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Core i5-8500
Socket
FCBGA1449
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1135G7) / not specified (Core i5-8500). The Core i5-1135G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)), while the Core i5-8500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1135G7 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-1135G7 rivals Ryzen 5 5500U.

FeatureCore i5-1135G7Core i5-8500
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Xe Graphics (80 EU)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Productivity