CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8500T vs Intel Core i7-8670
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8500T is a low-power desktop processor from the 8th generation Coffee Lake family. Released in April 2018, it is built on the 14nm process and features 6 cores and 6 threads. The 'T' suffix indicates a 35W TDP, making it ideal for small form factor PCs, AIOs, and office environments. The base clock is 2.1 GHz, with a maximum turbo boost of 3.5 GHz, offering a good balance between power efficiency and performance. It includes 9 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2666 MT/s. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 provides basic display capabilities. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, it offers adequate expansion for a discrete GPU and NVMe storage. Compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards on 300-series chipsets, the i5-8500T is a step up from the 8400T, providing higher clock speeds for users needing more responsiveness in a compact footprint.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
6 cores handle office tasks easily, with decent single-core speed.
12 threads make quick work of office and compiling tasks.
Gaming
Can handle light games, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
Handles modern games easily when paired with a mid-to-high-end GPU.
Virtualization
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
Capable of running multiple VMs smoothly.
Efficiency
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Good efficiency within the 65W envelope.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clocks make inference slow.
- No AI hardware
- Standard CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Clocks are too low for modern CPU-bound games.
- UHD 630 is only good for very light titles.
- Needs a low-end discrete GPU for decent gaming.
- Won't bottleneck RTX 3060 or RX 6600 class GPUs
- High turbo boost ensures smooth frame times
- Great for 60Hz and 144Hz gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- 6 cores for parallel tasks
- Higher base clock than 8400T
- Runs very cool
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
- Limited by 35W power limit under load
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Easy to cool (65W)
- Good turbo boost speeds
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Older 14nm process
- Limited upgrade path on LGA 1151
- Marginal improvement over i7-8700
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8500T
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700TRival
High-End Low Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GERival
Budget Low Power
Slightly faster clocks, same TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GEAlt
Better integrated graphics.
Much faster modern architecture.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Better efficiency and performance.
Intel Core i7-8670
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600XRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8600Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Much faster single-core and newer platform.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Better performance and modern features.
Cheaper 10th gen alternative with similar performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5700XAlt
More cores and better efficiency.
Our Verdict on Each
An excellent low-power 6-core processor that offers better performance than the 8400T, making it a great choice for SFF builds where space and power are constrained.
Best for: Building a quiet home server or SFF office PC using used parts.
Read the full reviewA well-balanced 65W hexa-core CPU that offers excellent value for 1080p gaming and everyday productivity without the premium of K-series chips.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system for 1080p gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8500T or Intel Core i7-8670?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8670 comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 i5-8500T or Intel Core i7-8670?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8670 leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i5-8500T and Intel Core i7-8670.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-8500T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-8500T (35 W), Intel Core i7-8670 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-8500T and Intel Core i7-8670 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8500T: LGA 1151, Intel Core i7-8670: Intel Socket 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-8670 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-8500T (9,000), Intel Core i7-8670 (14,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.