Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-1180G7

Intel

Core i5-8500T

6 Cores6 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-1180G7

4 Cores8 Thrd9 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-1180G7 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 i5-8500T 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 i5-8500T 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 i5-8500T

2018

Why buy it

  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1180G7.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1180G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (7,730 vs 7,788).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-1180G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 288.9% higher power demand at 35W vs 9W.

Core i7-1180G7

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +23.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
  • Draws 9W instead of 35W, a 26W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1180G7 better than Core i5-8500T?
Yes. Core i7-1180G7 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 23.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-1180G7 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 23.1% 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 i7-1180G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-1180G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1180G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 23.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (40.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1180G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-1180G7 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-8500T

The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1180G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-1180G7 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-1180G7 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Core i7-1180G7's 7,788 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-1180G7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,192 vs 1,845, a 43% lead for the Core i7-1180G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1180G7.

FeatureCore i5-8500TCore i7-1180G7
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
4.6 GHz+31%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+62%
1.3 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-S (2017−2018)
Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)
PassMark
7,730
7,788
Geekbench 6 Single
1,192
1,845+55%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1180G7 uses FCBGA1598 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500T versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1180G7 — the Core i7-1180G7 supports 60.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8500T 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 i5-8500T) vs 4 (Core i7-1180G7) — the Core i5-8500T offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Z370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-8500T) and Tiger Lake-UP4 (Core i7-1180G7).

FeatureCore i5-8500TCore i7-1180G7
Socket
LGA1151
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
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-1180G7 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 i5-8500T) and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU (Core i7-1180G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i7-1180G7 targets Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G; Core i7-1180G7 rivals Ryzen 7 5800U.

FeatureCore i5-8500TCore i7-1180G7
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
Low Power Desktop
Premium Ultra-Thin Laptop