Core i5-1145GRE vs Core i7-8559U

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 i5-1145GRE vs Core i7-8559U 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 i5-1145GRE vs Core i7-8559U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1145GRE

2020

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8559U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,207 vs 8,274).
❌Launch MSRP is still $362 MSRP, while Core i7-8559U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Core i5-1145GRE?

Yes. Core i7-8559U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8559U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.1% 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 i7-8559U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8559U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $362 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-1145GRE 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, especially when the gap is already 12.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-1145GRE 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 i5-1145GRE vs Core i7-8559U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1145GRE

The Core i5-1145GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $362.

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1145GRE and Core i7-8559U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-1145GRE versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-1145GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-8559U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1145GRE scores 8,207 against the Core i7-8559U's 8,274 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-8559U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-1145GRE	Core i7-8559U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.5 GHz+10%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	8,207	8,274

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1145GRE uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-8559U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.