I know where this confusion is coming from. If you look at any i5 10th generation Desktop CPU, you will find that all the CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads. Also, the i7 8th Generation Desktop CPU will have similar core configurations.
So, it can be a tough decision to make for most of us. Also, there are multiple CPUs in both these generations with different specifications. So, it is always going to be a tough decision to pick any one of these. But, there are some things that you can do to identify the right CPU for you.
Generally, a high-generation CPU is known to be a better option because it will have some advanced features along with a much-refined architecture as compared to the low-generation ones.
But, if you compare the desktop CPUs from both the i5 10th generation and i7 8th generation range, you will see similar features. So, now, if you want to choose the right CPU between these ranges, you will have to identify the right product just by checking the benchmarks. There are surely some other things which you can follow to pick the right CPU. We are going to cover everything in this article further.
So, let’s get started.
List of all CPUs in Intel i5 10th generation with specs
We are talking only about the desktop CPUs here. So, let’s see which CPUs are there for you if you want to go for the Intel i5 10th generation CPU range.
| CPU Name | Core (Threads) | Base Frequency | Turbo Frequency | Integrated GPU | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i5-10400 | 6(12) | 2.9 GHz | 4.3 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 65W |
| i5-10400F | 6(12) | 2.9 GHz | 4.3 GHz | Not Available | 65W |
| i5-10500 | 6(12) | 3.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 65W |
| i5-10600 | 6(12) | 3.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 65W |
| i5-10600K | 6(12) | 4.1 GHz | 4.8 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 125W |
| i5-10600KF | 6(12) | 4.1 GHz | 4.8 GHz | Not Available | 125W |
| i5-10400T | 6(12) | 2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 35W |
| i5-10500T | 6(12) | 2.4 GHz | 4.0 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 35W |
List of all CPUs in Intel i7 8th generation with specs
Now, let’s see a list of all the desktop processors in the Intel i7 8th generation.
| CPU Name | Cores (Threads) | Base Frequency | Turbo Frequency | Integrated CPU | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i7-8086K | 6(12) | 4 GHz | 5 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 95W |
| i7-8700 | 6(12) | 3.2 GHz | 4.6 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 65W |
| i7-8700K | 6(12) | 3.7 GHz | 4.7 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 95W |
| i7-8700T | 6(12) | 2.4 GHz | 4 GHz | UHD Graphics 630 | 35W |
Key difference between Intel i5 10th generation and i7 8th generation CPU?
1. Benchmark Scores
The best way to check any CPU’s performance capabilities is to check the benchmark scores. I don’t own the CPUs but seeing the benchmark scores online is pretty easy these days. I am going to use the Geekbench benchmark scores to help you understand the performance of these CPUs.
I am choosing the top desktop CPUs from these families. From i5, I am picking the Intel i5-10600K and from i7, the selected CPU is i7-8700K. Let’s compare the results.
| CPU | Single-Core Performance Score | Multi-core Performance Score |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-8700K | 1246 | 6514 |
| Intel Core i5-10600K | 1307 | 6916 |
So, you can see that the i5 10600K generation CPU is capable of performing a little better as compared to the i7-8700K. Now, I am not saying that all the 10th generation i5 and 8th generation i7 are going to give you the same results. This is a subjective matter and this is why checking the benchmark scores before buying any CPU is a good thing.
2. Base and Boost Frequency
The maximum boost frequency offered by the top-performing Intel i5 10th Generation CPU is 4.8 GHz. The i5-10600, 10600K, and 10600KF CPUs are offering the highest frequency range to the users.
However, the maximum boost frequency from the top-performing i5 8th generation CPU is 5 GHz. The highest frequency offered by the Intel i7-8086K is 5 GHz.
So, frequency-wise, you can expect similar results from both these CPUs but again, the frequencies of other CPUs can vary a lot. In other words, the low-power i5 and i7 CPU can have just around 2 GHz base frequency. So, you should again check the frequency because I am talking about the maximum frequency ranges just for comparison purposes.
3. Cache
Both Intel i5 10th generation and i7 8th generation CPUs are coming with similar cache sizes and configurations.
You just pick any desktop CPU from these two ranges and you will see these configurations all the time.
6×256 KB L2 Cache
12 MB L3 Cache
So, there is no difference in the cache sizes as well.
4. TDP
In terms of heat production, different CPUs will again offer different results. TDP is a good thing to confirm the total power usage and hence the amount of heat to be dissipated. As we saw earlier, the i5 10th generation CPUs such as i5-10600K and 10600KF have 125W TDP. So, here you may have to use liquid cooling or an advanced air cooling setup for your CPU.
Now, if we look at the i7 8th generation CPU range, the highest TDP comes with the i7-8086K CPU i.e. 95W. So, the higher the TDP, you can imagine that the CPU is going to have a little higher level of performance.
5. Memory Supported
All the Intel i5 10th gen and i7 8th Gen desktop CPUs support the same memory specifications. The maximum memory size supported is 128GB. You can use DDR4-2666 memory with these CPUs. Also, the memory bandwidth is going to be similar with both types of CPUs.
Intel i5 10th Generation vs Intel i7 8th Generation CPU: Which one to buy?
As you saw earlier, there are numerous CPUs available in both these ranges. So, the selection is definitely going to be subjective here. You can easily find an Intel i5 10th generation CPU that will beat any i7 8th generation CPU in all terms. However, you can see situations in vice-versa.
However, I would always advise you to go for the higher generation CPUs if you want to support the latest technologies. Here, if you have a less budget, the i5 10 gen CPUs are good for you. Most of these CPUs are available for under 200$ price tag. The i7 8th gen CPUs are a little expensive. But, again, the prices may vary depending on several things. So, your selection should always depend on the features you are looking for in any CPU.
Thanks for reading!
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I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
