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Intel Core i7-8550U vs Intel Core i5-8400 vs Intel Core i5-8600K

Intel Core i7-8550U

► remove from comparison Intel i5-8550U

The Intel Core i7-8550U is a power efficient quad-core SoC for notebooks and Ultrabooks based on the Kaby Lake Refresh generation and was announced in August 2017. Contrary to its direct predecessors Core i7-7500U and i5-7260U, respectively, which were still dual-cores, the i7-8550U is equipped with four cores but at a lower base frequency of 1.8 GHz. The Turbo Boost is not specified yet, but should be at least 3.7 - 4 GHz and therefore also offer good short term single core speeds. The GPU is now named Intel UHD Graphics 620 but otherwise identical to the Intel HD Graphics 620. The integrated memory controller supports DDR4-2400 / LPDDR3-2133 and dual channel memory.

Architecture

Intel basically uses the same micro architecture compared to Skylake, so the per-MHz performance does not differ. The manufacturer only reworked the Speed Shift technology for faster dynamic adjustments of voltages and clocks, and the improved 14nm process allows much higher frequencies combined with better efficiency than before.

Performance

The performance of the i7-8550U depends on the cooling solution of the laptop and the defined TDP limits for short and long term performance. This leads to big differences in our benchmark scores ranging from the 15 Watt reference by Intel up to the 23% higher score of the Inspiron 17-7773 in the Cinebench R15 Multi benchmark. Especially when taxing the CPU for longer periods, these differences can be even higher.

In our usual benchmarks, the average i7-8550U is as fast as the 35 Watt rated Core i5-7440HQ. For single thread performance, the high Turbo Boost frequency helps achieving one of the highest scores for mobile CPUs.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 (Intel Gen 9.5) is untouched from the 8th Gen Kaby Lake chips. With fast dual-channel memory it can reach the performance of a dedicated GeForce 920M.

Contrary to Skylake, Kaby lake now also supports H.265/HEVC Main 10 with a 10-bit color depth as well as Google's VP9 codec. The dual-core Kaby Lake processors announced in January should also support HDCP 2.2.

Power Consumption

The chip is manufactured in an improved 14nm process with FinFET transistors (14nm+), the same as the 7th Gen Kaby Lake processors. Intel still specifies the TDP with 15 Watts, which is typical for ULV chips. Depending on the usage scenario, the TDP can vary between 7.5 (cTDP Down) and 25 Watts.

Intel Core i5-8400

► remove from comparison Intel i5-8400

The Intel Core i5-8400 is a mid-range 6-core CPU. The processor belongs to the Coffee Lake generation and was presented in September 2017. It does not support Hyper-Threading, which means it can run six threads simultaneously. The base clock rate is 2.8 GHz and the CPU can speed up to 4.0 GHz under high load. Despite belonging to the new generation of CPUs, the Core i5-8400 is manufactured in an improved 14nm process.

Performance

The processor offers a strong performance increase compared to the Core i5-7400 due to its two additional cores. Single-core performance has not improved significantly compared to its Kaby Lake predecessor. As a mid-range model, the Core i5-8400 should be suitable for demanding games and programs.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The build is identical to that of the Intel HD Graphics 630. We do expect a performance improvement, but as a low-end solution it will probably only display current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 65 watts. Therefore, well-dimensioned cooling systems should easily manage to deal with the created heat. We expect increased efficiency due to the higher performance.

Intel Core i5-8600K

► remove from comparison Intel i5-8600K

The Intel Core i5-8600K is a high-end desktop processor with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture and was announced in September 2017. The processor clocks at between 3.6 and 4.3 GHz and can execute up to six threads simultaneously (no HyperThreading). According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. The i5-8600K is comparatively easy to overclock thanks to the unlocked multiplier.

Performance

Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased significantly compared to the Core i7-7700K when all cores are in use. Single-core performance has not improved since its Kaby Lake predecessor. As a high-end model, the i5-8600K is suitable for the most demanding applications and games.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is basically identical to the previous generation Intel HD Graphics 630. Only some low demanding games are playable with this graphics card (see GPU page linked above).

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 95 watts. Therefore, well-dimensioned cooling systems should easily manage to deal with the created heat. We expect increased efficiency due to the higher performance.

ModelIntel Core i7-8550UIntel Core i5-8400Intel Core i5-8600K
SeriesIntel Kaby Lake RefreshIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee Lake
CodenameKaby Lake RefreshCoffee Lake-SCoffee Lake-S
Series: Coffee Lake Coffee Lake-S
Intel Core i7-8650U1.9 - 4.2 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8550U « 1.8 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8350U1.7 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8250U1.6 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i3-8130U2.2 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Pentium Gold 4417U2.3 GHz2 / 4 cores2 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8086K3.7 - 5 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8700K3.7 - 4.7 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-87003.2 - 4.6 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8600K3.6 - 4.3 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-85003 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8400 « 2.8 - 4 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8500T2.1 - 3.5 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8086K3.7 - 5 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8700K3.7 - 4.7 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-87003.2 - 4.6 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8600K « 3.6 - 4.3 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-85003 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-84002.8 - 4 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8500T2.1 - 3.5 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Clock1800 - 4000 MHz2800 - 4000 MHz3600 - 4300 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB384 KB384 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1.5 MB1.5 MB
L3 Cache8 MB9 MB9 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 86 / 66 / 6
TDP15 Watt65 Watt95 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
SocketBGA1356FCLGA1151FCLGA1151
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NIDual-Channel DDR3(L)-1600/DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDual-Channel DDR3(L)-1600/DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vPro
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 620 (300 - 1150 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1050 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1150 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$409 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i5-8550U
28.1 pt (39%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
2914 Points (3%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
1021 Points (43%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 383     avg: 388.5     median: 388.5 (43%)     max: 394 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 1118     avg: 1128     median: 1128 (3%)     max: 1138 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 301     avg: 576     median: 553 (3%)     max: 761 Points
min: 939     avg: 943     median: 941 (6%)     max: 949 Points
min: 988     avg: 990     median: 989.5 (6%)     max: 991 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 108     avg: 159.5     median: 163 (49%)     max: 172 Points
min: 167     avg: 169.5     median: 169.5 (51%)     max: 172 Points
181 Points (55%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 4.38     avg: 6.3     median: 6.1 (8%)     max: 8.56 Points
11 Points (14%)
10.8 Points (14%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 1.43     avg: 1.8     median: 1.9 (47%)     max: 1.95 Points
1.9 Points (47%)
2.1 Points (51%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4202     avg: 6333     median: 6423 (39%)     max: 8211 Points
min: 6356     avg: 6364     median: 6363.5 (38%)     max: 6371 Points
6875 Points (42%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 11694     avg: 17867     median: 17321.5 (13%)     max: 24180 Points
min: 30658     avg: 30790     median: 30789.5 (22%)     max: 30921 Points
32863 Points (24%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 12279     avg: 23153     median: 22717 (16%)     max: 31667 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 6737     avg: 8065     median: 8370.5 (10%)     max: 8436 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 257.5     avg: 352     median: 366.7 (4%)     max: 435 s
191.8 s (2%)
188.8 s (2%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 7.047     avg: 9.8     median: 9.9 (2%)     max: 12.7 s
6.2 s (1%)
5.7 s (1%)
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 1024m *
847 s (3%)
wPrime 1.55 - wPrime 1.55 32m *
26.3 s (14%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 3847     avg: 4487     median: 4374 (7%)     max: 5287 Points
5173 Points (8%)
4583 Points (7%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
15613 MIPS (9%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
4337 MIPS (52%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 32     avg: 35.3     median: 33.1 (12%)     max: 41 fps
61.4 fps (21%)
min: 61     avg: 63.4     median: 63.4 (22%)     max: 65.7 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 143.6     avg: 153.9     median: 147.9 (34%)     max: 178 fps
223.8 fps (52%)
min: 230.3     avg: 232.7     median: 232.7 (54%)     max: 235 fps
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 3.77     avg: 4     median: 3.9 (7%)     max: 4.43 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
min: 0.357     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (0%)     max: 0.469 GB/s
0.5 GB/s (0%)
0.5 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
min: 0.583     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (13%)     max: 0.793 GB/s
0.8 GB/s (14%)
0.9 GB/s (15%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 3.3     avg: 4.2     median: 4.3 (11%)     max: 4.6 GB/s
5 GB/s (13%)
5.4 GB/s (14%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
min: 841     avg: 897     median: 913 (6%)     max: 937 Seconds
103%
1 i5-8400 +
488 Seconds (3%)
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
0.7 sec (15%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4534     avg: 5951     median: 5845 (12%)     max: 7795 Points
9474 Points (20%)
9078 Points (19%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 9     avg: 10.5     median: 9.3 (2%)     max: 17.45 s
9.5 s (2%)
min: 8.72     avg: 8.8     median: 8.8 (2%)     max: 8.8 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 20     avg: 23     median: 21.2 (1%)     max: 32.72 s
21.6 s (1%)
min: 19.67     avg: 19.7     median: 19.7 (1%)     max: 19.8 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 510     avg: 575     median: 536 (2%)     max: 740 s
526 s (2%)
min: 488.9     avg: 496.5     median: 496.5 (2%)     max: 504 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
21623 Points (19%)
163%
1 i5-8400 +
35310 Points (31%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 3961     avg: 6653     median: 6649 (18%)     max: 9527 Points
min: 9057     avg: 9453     median: 9453 (26%)     max: 9849 Points
min: 10708     avg: 10833     median: 10833 (29%)     max: 10958 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 16314     avg: 42803     median: 44682 (36%)     max: 55226 Points
74934 Points (61%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 16312     avg: 37536     median: 36876 (30%)     max: 51937 Points
65891 Points (53%)
74763 Points (61%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 27917     avg: 50269     median: 52842 (45%)     max: 58213 Points
132%
1 i5-8400 +
69971 Points (59%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 3437     avg: 5739     median: 5695 (14%)     max: 7725 Points
7891 Points (20%)
min: 8492     avg: 8523     median: 8522.5 (22%)     max: 8553 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 3961     avg: 8228     median: 8306 (15%)     max: 11110 Points
min: 10911     avg: 11774     median: 12066 (22%)     max: 12346 Points
min: 12916     avg: 13019     median: 13018.5 (23%)     max: 13121 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 2463     avg: 2898     median: 2875 (12%)     max: 3865 Points
172%
1 i5-8400 +
min: 4372     avg: 4941     median: 4940.5 (21%)     max: 5509 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
1081 Points (5%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
3141 Points (10%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 4555     avg: 4858     median: 4900 (49%)     max: 4997 Points
104%
1 i5-8400 +
5104 Points (51%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 10869     avg: 14247     median: 15117 (17%)     max: 16294 Points
136%
1 i5-8400 +
20500 Points (23%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 4439     avg: 4686     median: 4699 (64%)     max: 4858 Points
106%
1 i5-8400 +
4996 Points (68%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 10747     avg: 13316     median: 13251 (32%)     max: 15294 Points
147%
1 i5-8400 +
19500 Points (47%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
min: 8918     avg: 12315     median: 12327.5 (22%)     max: 14144 Points
18970 Points (34%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
min: 2471     avg: 3671     median: 3770 (74%)     max: 4020 Points
4217 Points (82%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 11637     avg: 12834     median: 12833.5 (20%)     max: 14030 Points
19334 Points (30%)
19770 Points (31%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 3784     avg: 3949     median: 3948.5 (59%)     max: 4113 Points
4283 Points (64%)
4417 Points (66%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 877     avg: 1087     median: 1107 (1%)     max: 2114 ms
1022 ms (1%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
min: 63.2     avg: 80.3     median: 71.3 (1%)     max: 122.7 ms
68.1 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 17296     avg: 33448     median: 33496 (30%)     max: 42043 Points
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
182 Points (38%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
min: 25.3     avg: 40.1     median: 33.7 (6%)     max: 61.4 Watt
115 Watt (20%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
min: 28.2     avg: 38.1     median: 30.4 (6%)     max: 63.2 Watt
97 Watt (18%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
min: 10.4     avg: 15.6     median: 17.3 (13%)     max: 17.5 Points per Watt
9.7 Points per Watt (7%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-8550U → 100% n=24

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-8400 → 132% n=24

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-8600K → 137% n=24

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 29. 15:39:31

#0 checking url part for id 9208 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 9298 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 9800 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.032s ... 0.033s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.033s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 9208 +0.016s ... 0.049s

#8 got single benchmarks 9208 +0.255s ... 0.304s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 9298 +0.003s ... 0.307s

#10 got single benchmarks 9298 +0.01s ... 0.317s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 9800 +0.003s ... 0.319s

#12 got single benchmarks 9800 +0.008s ... 0.327s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.327s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.378s ... 0.705s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.705s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)