Core i5-9500 vs Core i7-8750H

Intel

Core i5-9500

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-8750H

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
Similar parts
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Core i5-9500 vs Core i7-8750H 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 i5-9500 vs Core i7-8750H 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 i5-9500 vs Core i7-8750H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9500

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-8750H.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8750H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-8750H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-8750H

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (9,769 vs 9,829).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9500 better than Core i7-8750H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8750H is ahead with a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9500 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-9500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-9500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8750H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-9500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-9500 vs Core i7-8750H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-9500

The Core i5-9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 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 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,829 points. Launch price was $192.

Intel

Core i7-8750H

The Core i7-8750H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,769 points. Launch price was $395.

Processing Power

The Core i5-9500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, matching the Core i7-8750H's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-9500 versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8750H — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-9500 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-9500 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8750H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9500 scores 9,829 against the Core i7-8750H's 9,769 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-9500. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9500 vs 9 MB on the Core i7-8750H.

FeatureCore i5-9500Core i7-8750H
Cores / Threads
6 / 6
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+7%
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+36%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
9 MB (total)
9 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark
9,829
9,769
Geekbench 6 Single
1,468
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8750H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Core i5-9500 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

FeatureCore i5-9500Core i7-8750H
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1440
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8750H). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9500) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8750H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9500 targets Desktop, Core i7-8750H targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-9500 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

FeatureCore i5-9500Core i7-8750H
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
Mobile