CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8500B vs Intel Core i7-8700B
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8500B is a specialized hexa-core processor designed specifically for embedded systems and compact form-factor devices, most notably Apple's iMac lineup, featuring a soldered BGA package.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and moderate programming workloads efficiently.
Handles compiling, rendering, and multitasking effortlessly.
Gaming
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming in thin iMacs when paired with a discrete mobile GPU.
Good for gaming if paired with an eGPU or external monitor.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs, but 6 threads limit heavy parallel virtualization.
Great for running VMs in a compact server footprint.
Efficiency
Balanced performance within a standard 65W power envelope.
Optimized power delivery for BGA designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI-specific hardware
- CPU inference is slow due to lack of threads
- No AI hardware
- 12 threads help with CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Usually paired with discrete mobile GPUs in iMacs
- Integrated UHD 630 is only for light gaming
- Thermally constrained by AIO chassis
- Relies on eGPU or discrete GPU in chassis
- UHD 630 only good for light games
- CPU performance is excellent for gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Soldered design saves physical space
- 6 physical cores for multitasking
- 4.1 GHz turbo boost
- Integrated UHD Graphics 630
- Optimized for thin AIO thermals
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard (not upgradeable)
- No Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- Only available via OEM channels
- End-of-life platform
Pros
- Full desktop performance in BGA form
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Excellent for compact systems
- Good turbo boost speeds
Cons
- Soldered, cannot be upgraded
- Hard to find outside pre-builts
- Locked multiplier
- 14nm process is outdated
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8500B
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600HRival
Mobile/Embedded
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Embedded AIO
A higher-tier soldered BGA processor for iMacs.
Compare head-to-headNewer generation socketed alternative with marginally better speeds.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-8700B
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700ERival
Compact Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500BRival
Compact Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7700BRival
Compact Desktop
- Intel Core i7-10700BAlt
Successor with 2 more cores.
- Mac Studio M1Alt
Vastly superior performance and efficiency.
- Intel NUC 12 ProAlt
Modern alternative with 12th Gen performance.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Mini PCAlt
Better integrated graphics and efficiency.
- Mac mini M2Alt
Current generation, much faster.
Our Verdict on Each
An efficient 6-core processor tailored for OEMs. Its soldered BGA design saves space but prevents user upgrades, making it strictly for pre-built systems.
Best for: Board-level repair of an existing Apple iMac or embedded system.
Read the full reviewA highly capable BGA processor that brought real desktop performance to compact systems like the 2018 Mac mini.
Best for: Purchasing a used 2018 Mac mini for a home server or dev machine.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8500B or Intel Core i7-8700B?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8700B comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-8500B or Intel Core i7-8700B?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8500B leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-8500B and Intel Core i7-8700B.
Do Intel Core i5-8500B and Intel Core i7-8700B use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1440 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-8700B posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8700B (15,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.