Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-8705G

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 i7-8705G 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 i7-8705G: 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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $208 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 111.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.3 vs 19.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8705G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-8705G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,633 vs 7,730).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.1 vs 40.3 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8500T better than Core i7-8705G?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8705G is ahead with a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i5-8500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-8500T comes in $208 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8705G is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 111.0% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 19.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-8705G is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-8705G Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-8705G

The Core i7-8705G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,633 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-8705G 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 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8705G — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-8705G (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8705G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Core i7-8705G's 7,633 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-8500T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8705G.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-8705G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.1 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	7,730+1%	7,633
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8705G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-8705G
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA2270
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T) / not specified (Core i7-8705G). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8705G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-8705G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500T was priced at $192, while the Core i7-8705G came in at $400. On launch pricing ($192 vs $400), Core i5-8500T was $208 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500T delivers 40.3 pts/$ vs 19.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-8705G — making the Core i5-8500T the 71.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-8705G
MSRP	$192-52%	$400
Performance per Dollar	40.3+111%	19.1
Release Date	2018	2018

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