Core i5-1235U vs Core i7-8700

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 i5-1235U vs Core i7-8700 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 i5-1235U vs Core i7-8700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1235U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,740 vs 12,747).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-1235U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1235U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core i5-1235U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-1235U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1235U better than Core i7-8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-1235U is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-1235U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1235U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1235U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1235U vs Core i7-8700 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1235U

The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. 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: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1235U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-8700 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-1235U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1235U scores 12,740 against the Core i7-8700's 12,747 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-8700. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,095 vs 1,535, a 30.9% lead for the Core i5-1235U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1235U vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core i7-8700
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.6 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+146%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12288 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,740	12,747
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,969
Geekbench 6 Single	2,095+36%	1,535
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1235U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1235U versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 — the Core i5-1235U supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-8700 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1235U) vs 16 (Core i7-8700) — the Core i5-1235U offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core i7-8700
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+95%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics 80EU (Core i5-1235U) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U; Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-1235U	Core i7-8700
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics 80EU	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Gaming