Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-8557U vs Intel Core i7-9850H vs Intel Core i9-8950HK

Intel Core i7-8557U

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-8557U is a quad-core SoC for notebooks based on the Coffee Lake architecture that was announced in the new entry level MacBook Pro 13 in mid 2019. Compared to its predecessor, the CPU is now a quad-core with Hyperthreading support for the execution of up to 8 threads simultaneously. The base frequency is only 1.7 GHz, but the Turbo goes all the way up to 4.5 GHz. It is also equipped with an Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 GPU with 128 MB eDRAM, a dual-channel memory controller (DDR4) as well as VP9 and H.265 video decoding as well as encoding. The chip is still manufactured in a 14nm process with FinFET transistors.

Compared to slower Core i5 model with eDRAM and 15 Watts, the i5-8557U features 8 MB smart cache and the fastest clock of the Iris Plus GPU.

Architecture

Intel basically uses the same micro architecture compared to Kaby Lake, 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

Clocked at up to 4.5 GHz, the Core i7-8557U should offer an excellent single thread performance. The multi core performance is greatly improved due to the two additional cores (compared to the predecessor) but may be limited by the 15 Watt TDP (especially for sustained workloads).

Graphics

The integrated Intel Iris Plus 645 Graphics is the GT3e model of the Coffee Lake GPU (Intel Gen. 9.5). It has 48 Execution Units running at 300-1150 MHz  and the performance is comparable to a GeForce 930M or 940MX thanks to fast eDRAM cache. However, there aren't any significant improvements compared to the old Iris Plus 650, so modern games can often not be played smoothly or only at the lowest or medium settings, respectively.

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, which improves the efficiency even further. Intel specifies the TDP with 15 Watts and therefore suited for thin and light laptops.

Intel Core i7-9850H

► remove from comparison Intel i7-9850H

The Intel Core i7-9850H is a high-end processor for laptops with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture (2019 refresh, CFL-HR). The processor clocks at between 2.6 and 4.6 GHz (4 GHz with 6 cores) and can execute up to twelve threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i7-8850H, the 9850H offers only improved clock rates.

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).

Performance

Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased by almost 50% compared to a similar clocked Kaby Lake processor like the Core i7-7920HQ (3.1 - 4.1 GHz). Single-core performance has not improved since its Kaby Lake predecessor. Compared to the i7-8850H, the performance improved only slightly.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a slightly higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz (rumored). The architecture 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 45 watts and therefore the i7 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions. Using cTDP-down, the CPU can also be configured to 35 Watt resulting in a reduced performance.

Intel Core i9-8950HK

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i9-8950HK is a high-end processor for laptops with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture and was announced early 2018. The processor clocks at between 2.9- 4.8 GHz (4.3 GHz with 6 cores) and can execute up to twelve threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 4.8 GHz can only be reached using the "Thermal Velocity Boost" which allows one core to boost to 4.8 GHz (+200 MHz) as long as the CPU temperature is below 50°C. Multiple cores can be boosted +100 MHz below 50°C.

According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. The i9-8950HK is the fastest model of the Coffee-Lake-H series at the time of announcement and offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking of the CPU.

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).

Performance

Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased by almost 50% compared to a similar clocked Kaby Lake processor.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a slightly higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The architecture 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 45 watts and therefore the i9 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions.

ModelIntel Core i7-8557UIntel Core i7-9850HIntel Core i9-8950HK
SeriesIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee Lake
CodenameCoffee Lake-UCoffee Lake-HCoffee Lake-H
Series: Coffee Lake Coffee Lake-H
Intel Core i7-8559U2.7 - 4.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8557U « 1.7 - 4.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8269U2.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8279U2.4 - 4.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8259U2.3 - 3.8 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8257U1.4 - 3.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i3-8109U3 - 3.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9980HK2.4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9880H2.3 - 4.8 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-8950HK2.9 - 4.8 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2186M2.9 - 4.8 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2276M2.8 - 4.7 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9850H « 2.6 - 4.6 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9750H2.6 - 4.5 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2176M2.7 - 4.4 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8850H2.6 - 4.3 GHz6 / 12 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8750H2.2 - 4.1 GHz6 / 12 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400H2.5 - 4.3 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9300HF2.4 - 4.1 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9300H2.4 - 4.1 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8400H2.5 - 4.2 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8300H2.3 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i3-8100H3 GHz4 / 4 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9980HK2.4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9880H2.3 - 4.8 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-8950HK « 2.9 - 4.8 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2186M2.9 - 4.8 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2276M2.8 - 4.7 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9850H2.6 - 4.6 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9750H2.6 - 4.5 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Xeon E-2176M2.7 - 4.4 GHz6 / 12 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8850H2.6 - 4.3 GHz6 / 12 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i7-8750H2.2 - 4.1 GHz6 / 12 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400H2.5 - 4.3 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9300HF2.4 - 4.1 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9300H2.4 - 4.1 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8400H2.5 - 4.2 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i5-8300H2.3 - 4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i3-8100H3 GHz4 / 4 cores8 MB L3
Clock1700 - 4500 MHz2600 - 4600 MHz2900 - 4800 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB384 KB384 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1.5 MB1.5 MB
L3 Cache8 MB12 MB12 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 86 / 126 / 12
TDP28 Watt45 Watt45 Watt
Technology14 nm14 nm14 nm
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCBGA1528FCBGA1440FCBGA1440
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI, Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE 4.2Dual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NIDual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI
iGPUIntel Iris Plus Graphics 645 (300 - 1150 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1150 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com
$583 U.S.

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i7-9850H
32.9 pt (46%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 425     avg: 439.5     median: 439.5 (49%)     max: 454 Points
min: 387     avg: 442.5     median: 442.5 (49%)     max: 498 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 1800     avg: 2114     median: 2114 (5%)     max: 2428 Points
min: 2379     avg: 2652     median: 2651.5 (6%)     max: 2924 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 1114     avg: 1205     median: 1230 (8%)     max: 1272 Points
min: 1051     avg: 1220     median: 1223.5 (8%)     max: 1391 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 192     avg: 193.8     median: 193 (58%)     max: 196.5 Points
min: 185     avg: 195.9     median: 195 (59%)     max: 206 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
12.5 Points (16%)
min: 11.95     avg: 13.6     median: 13.2 (17%)     max: 15.14 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
2.1 Points (53%)
min: 2.1     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (56%)     max: 2.34 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
7169 Points (43%)
min: 6978     avg: 7282     median: 7149 (43%)     max: 7735 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
31938 Points (23%)
min: 32438     avg: 36321     median: 36591 (27%)     max: 39380 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
42090 Points (29%)
41678 Points (29%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
9224 Points (11%)
9576 Points (12%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
278 s (3%)
245.4 s (3%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
8.3 s (2%)
8.1 s (2%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
5621 Points (9%)
min: 6401     avg: 6421     median: 6420.5 (10%)     max: 6440 Points
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
min: 25786     avg: 29714     median: 31087 (18%)     max: 32268 MIPS
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 5020     avg: 5066     median: 5086 (61%)     max: 5092 MIPS
5080 MIPS (61%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
68.3 fps (24%)
min: 69.1     avg: 77.9     median: 77.9 (27%)     max: 86.7 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
201.3 fps (46%)
min: 216     avg: 224.9     median: 224.9 (52%)     max: 233.8 fps
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 7     avg: 8.4     median: 9 (16%)     max: 9.1 fps
8.8 fps (16%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
0.8 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.688     avg: 0.7     median: 0.7 (0%)     max: 0.79 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
1.2 GB/s (21%)
min: 1.1     avg: 1.2     median: 1.2 (21%)     max: 1.3 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
7.4 GB/s (19%)
min: 6.6     avg: 7.2     median: 7.2 (19%)     max: 7.8 GB/s
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
min: 411     avg: 459.3     median: 415 (3%)     max: 552 Seconds
410.8 Seconds (3%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 9137     avg: 10056     median: 10056 (21%)     max: 10975 Points
min: 9478     avg: 11037     median: 11055 (24%)     max: 11682 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
8.2 s (2%)
min: 8.217     avg: 8.4     median: 8.4 (2%)     max: 8.6 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
18.1 s (1%)
min: 18.11     avg: 18.7     median: 18.7 (1%)     max: 19.2 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
467.6 s (2%)
min: 451.8     avg: 466.5     median: 466.5 (2%)     max: 481.1 s
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 26292     avg: 34763     median: 37665 (33%)     max: 40333 Points
min: 37453     avg: 41216     median: 41216 (36%)     max: 44979 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 9987     avg: 11361     median: 11512 (31%)     max: 12585 Points
min: 9974     avg: 12990     median: 13112 (35%)     max: 14879 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 54664     avg: 57802     median: 56870 (46%)     max: 61872 Points
min: 57291     avg: 62439     median: 62509 (51%)     max: 72135 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 57931     avg: 59811     median: 59810.5 (49%)     max: 61690 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 24411     avg: 49357     median: 61055 (51%)     max: 62605 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 8390     avg: 9853     median: 9841 (25%)     max: 11328 Points
min: 6733     avg: 10551     median: 10817 (27%)     max: 12404 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 14059     avg: 15802     median: 15330 (27%)     max: 18016 Points
min: 10277     avg: 15847     median: 16455 (29%)     max: 18605 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 4588     avg: 5605     median: 5953 (25%)     max: 6275 Points
min: 4293     avg: 5791     median: 6191.5 (26%)     max: 6481 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
1079 Points (46%)
1150 Points (49%)
1097 Points (46%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
4119 Points (7%)
5270 Points (9%)
5205 Points (9%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1135     avg: 1169     median: 1169 (5%)     max: 1203 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 5353     avg: 5620     median: 5619.5 (18%)     max: 5886 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 5320     avg: 5509     median: 5594 (56%)     max: 5614 Points
min: 5464     avg: 5645     median: 5665.5 (57%)     max: 5785 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 18098     avg: 22010     median: 23715 (26%)     max: 24218 Points
min: 21980     avg: 23919     median: 24399.5 (27%)     max: 24898 Points
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
5376 Points (73%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
20077 Points (49%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
min: 21023     avg: 23100     median: 23881 (42%)     max: 24397 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
min: 4511     avg: 4592     median: 4567 (89%)     max: 4698 Points
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
22018 Points (34%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
4888 Points (73%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 1010     avg: 1018     median: 1015 (1%)     max: 1028 ms
min: 598     avg: 935     median: 989 (1%)     max: 1024 ms
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
min: 72.1     avg: 173.9     median: 173.9 (2%)     max: 275.6 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 38630     avg: 39090     median: 39091 (35%)     max: 39548 Points
min: 37397     avg: 41732     median: 40726 (37%)     max: 52403 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-8557U → 100% n=2

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-9850H → 117% n=2

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-8950HK → 114% n=2

- 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 27. 01:28:21

#0 checking url part for id 11435 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 11350 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 9900 +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, 25 Apr 2024 05:38:32 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.028s ... 0.029s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.029s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11435 +0.003s ... 0.032s

#8 got single benchmarks 11435 +0.009s ... 0.04s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 11350 +0.016s ... 0.057s

#10 got single benchmarks 11350 +0.021s ... 0.078s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 9900 +0.003s ... 0.081s

#12 got single benchmarks 9900 +0.056s ... 0.136s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.136s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.37s ... 0.506s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.506s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)