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 i5-8600K vs Core i7-1185G7 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 i5-8600K vs Core i7-1185G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8600K

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-1185G7 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $257 MSRP, while Core i7-1185G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.

Core i7-1185G7

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,033 vs 10,134).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1185G7 better than Core i5-8600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1185G7 is ahead with a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8600K pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-1185G7 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 i5-8600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i7-1185G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1185G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $257 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8600K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (39.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1185G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8600K vs Core i7-1185G7 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8600K

The Core i5-8600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,134 points. Launch price was $257.

Core i7-1185G7

The Core i7-1185G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,033 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-1185G7 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8600K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-1185G7 — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-1185G7 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-8600K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-1185G7 uses Tiger Lake-UP3 (2020−2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600K scores 10,134 against the Core i7-1185G7's 10,033 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-8600K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,550 vs 1,700, a 9.2% lead for the Core i7-1185G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1185G7.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	Core i7-1185G7
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	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-UP3 (2020−2021)
PassMark	10,134+1%	10,033
Geekbench 6 Single	1,550	1,700+10%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-1185G7 uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8600K versus LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i7-1185G7 — the Core i7-1185G7 supports 60.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8600K 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: 16 (Core i5-8600K) vs 20 (Core i7-1185G7) — the Core i7-1185G7 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z370,Z390 (Core i5-8600K) and Tiger Lake-U (Core i7-1185G7).

Feature	Core i5-8600K	Core i7-1185G7
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR4x-4267+60%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-8600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i7-1185G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-1185G7). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8600K) and Iris Xe Graphics G7 (Core i7-1185G7) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop, Core i7-1185G7 targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.

Feature	Core i5-8600K	Core i7-1185G7
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Iris Xe Graphics G7
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	Thin & Light Laptop