Core i7-8709G vs Core i7-9850HL

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 i7-8709G vs Core i7-9850HL 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 i7-8709G vs Core i7-9850HL: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8709G

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850HL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $338 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HL mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 100W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HL can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850HL

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 25W instead of 100W, a 75W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-8709G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,897 vs 7,934).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850HL better than Core i7-8709G?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9850HL is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8709G pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8709G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9850HL is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-9850HL comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $338 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8709G only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i7-9850HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8709G vs Core i7-9850HL Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8709G

The Core i7-8709G 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: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,934 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-9850HL

The Core i7-9850HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,897 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8709G packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9850HL offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9850HL has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-9850HL — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i7-8709G uses the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9850HL uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8709G scores 7,934 against the Core i7-9850HL's 7,897 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-8709G. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HL.

Feature	Core i7-8709G	Core i7-9850HL
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+63%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake G (2018)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	7,934	7,897

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8709G uses the FCBGA2270 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HL uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.