Core i7-8709G vs Ryzen 5 2600H

Intel

Core i7-8709G

4 Cores8 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 2600H

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2018
Ryzen family
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Core i7-8709G vs Ryzen 5 2600H 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 i7-8709G vs Ryzen 5 2600H 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 Ryzen 5 2600H: 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

  • Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (7,934 vs 8,002).
  • Launch MSRP is still $338 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 2600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 122.2% higher power demand at 100W vs 45W.

Ryzen 5 2600H

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 45W instead of 100W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8709G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 2600H better than Core i7-8709G?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8709G is ahead with a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 2600H pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-8709G also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 2600H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 2600H is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen 5 2600H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $338 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. 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.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 2600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8709G vs Ryzen 5 2600H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 2600H

The Ryzen 5 2600H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,002 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8709G and Ryzen 5 2600H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8709G versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600H — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i7-8709G (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-8709G uses the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600H uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8709G scores 7,934 against the Ryzen 5 2600H's 8,002 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600H. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8709G vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600H.

FeatureCore i7-8709GRyzen 5 2600H
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz+14%
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.2 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake G (2018)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
7,934
8,002
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8709G uses the FCBGA2270 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600H uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8709GRyzen 5 2600H
Socket
FCBGA2270
FP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0