Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-1180G7

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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-1180G7 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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-1180G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8259U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1180G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌211.1% higher power demand at 28W vs 9W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1180G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1180G7

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 28W, a 19W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while Core i5-8259U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,788 vs 7,843).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1180G7 better than Core i5-8259U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1180G7 is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8259U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-1180G7 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8259U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-1180G7 still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-1180G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-1180G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-1180G7 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8259U

The Core i5-8259U 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,843 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-1180G7

The Core i7-1180G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,788 points. Launch price was $426.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8259U and Core i7-1180G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8259U versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-1180G7 — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i7-1180G7 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-8259U scores 7,843 against the Core i7-1180G7's 7,788 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8259U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8259U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1180G7.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Core i7-1180G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.6 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+77%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	7,843	7,788
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,845

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8259U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Core i7-1180G7
Socket	FCBGA1528	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR4x-4267
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	4

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8259U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1180G7). The Core i7-1180G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU), while the Core i5-8259U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1180G7 targets Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-1180G7 rivals Ryzen 7 5800U.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Core i7-1180G7
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop