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 i5-8500B vs Core i7-1160G7 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 i5-8500B vs Core i7-1160G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $234 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 126.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.4 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1160G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i7-1160G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,720 vs 8,900).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.5 vs 46.4 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1160G7 better than Core i5-8500B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1160G7 is ahead with a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark. Core i7-1160G7 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i7-1160G7 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-1160G7 comes in 121.9% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500B 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 10.8% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-1160G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500B vs Core i7-1160G7 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-1160G7

The Core i7-1160G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,720 points. Launch price was $426.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1160G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-1160G7 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-1160G7 (base: 3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Core i7-1160G7's 8,720 — a 2% lead for the Core i5-8500B. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,364 vs 1,758, a 25.2% lead for the Core i7-1160G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1160G7.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Core i7-1160G7
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3 GHz+150%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark	8,900+2%	8,720
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	1,758+29%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1160G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500B versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1160G7 — the Core i7-1160G7 supports 60.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8500B supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-8500B) vs 4 (Core i7-1160G7) — the Core i5-8500B offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Z370,Q370 (Core i5-8500B) and Tiger Lake-UP3 (Core i7-1160G7).

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Core i7-1160G7
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1598
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR4x-4267+60%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-1160G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8500B) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-1160G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded, Core i7-1160G7 targets Premium Ultrabook/Tablet. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600; Core i7-1160G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Core i7-1160G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mini PC/Embedded	Premium Ultrabook/Tablet

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500B was priced at $192, while the Core i7-1160G7 came in at $426. On launch pricing ($192 vs $426), Core i5-8500B was $234 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-1160G7 — making the Core i5-8500B the 77.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Core i7-1160G7
MSRP	$192-55%	$426
Performance per Dollar	46.4+126%	20.5
Release Date	2018	2020

Search Core i5-8500B on Amazon

Search Core i7-1160G7 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.