CPU Comparison
Core i7-8565U vs Core i7-8665U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-8565U is an ultra-low power mobile processor launched in October 2018 for thin-and-light laptops. Based on the Whiskey Lake architecture, this 14nm chip features 4 cores and 8 threads, offering a significant frequency boost over its 8th Gen Kaby Lake predecessor. Operating at a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and capable of bursting up to 4.6 GHz, it delivers snappy single-threaded performance for everyday tasks. With a 15W TDP, it is highly power-efficient, designed to maximize battery life in ultraportable form factors. The processor includes 8MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 or LPDDR3 memory. It features Intel UHD Graphics 620, providing basic display capabilities and hardware media decoding. The i7-8565U became widely adopted in premium business and consumer laptops, balancing thermals with the burst performance needed for office applications, web browsing, and light content consumption, making it a staple of the modern ultrabook era.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single-core burst speed
- Low 15W TDP for long battery life
- Great for everyday office tasks
- Widely supported in popular ultrabooks
Cons
- Throttles quickly under sustained load
- Only 4 cores
- Uses older 14nm process
- Soldered BGA package
Pros
- Excellent single-core burst speed
- Includes Intel vPro for remote management
- Low 15W TDP
- Great for business productivity
Cons
- Throttles under sustained load
- Only 4 cores
- More expensive than consumer equivalents
- Soldered BGA package
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-8565U
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8265URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8550URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
Next-gen 10nm Ice Lake with better graphics.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-8665U
- AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- Intel Core i7-8565URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8365URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8650URival
Ultra-Low Power Mobile
Next-gen 6-core enterprise alternative.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A solid quad-core ultrabook CPU with great burst performance, though its 14nm architecture shows its age in sustained workloads.
Best for: Buying a used ultrabook for school or office work
Read the full reviewThe i7-8665U offers top-tier ultrabook performance with the crucial addition of vPro for enterprise manageability.
Best for: Buying a used enterprise laptop (ThinkPad, Latitude)
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-8565U or Core i7-8665U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-8665U comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Core i7-8565U and Core i7-8665U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1528 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.