Core i7-8500Y vs Pentium G4600

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 i7-8500Y vs Pentium G4600 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 i7-8500Y vs Pentium G4600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8500Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 51W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G4600 across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,590 vs 3,629).

Pentium G4600

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $82 MSRP, while Core i7-8500Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌920% higher power demand at 51W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4600 better than Core i7-8500Y?

Yes. Pentium G4600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G4600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G4600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G4600 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $82 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8500Y vs Pentium G4600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

Pentium G4600

The Pentium G4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,629 points. Launch price was $87.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8500Y and Pentium G4600 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4600 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 1.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-8500Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium G4600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8500Y scores 3,590 against the Pentium G4600's 3,629 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium G4600. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4600.

Feature	Core i7-8500Y	Pentium G4600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+17%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+140%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,590	3,629+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8500Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium G4600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.