CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-8750H vs Core i7-9750HF
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-8750H is a dominant mobile processor that revolutionized the gaming laptop market upon its release. As part of the 8th Gen Coffee Lake-H family, it brought six cores and twelve threads to the high-performance mobile segment, a massive upgrade from the previous generation's quad-core designs. Operating at a base clock of 2.2 GHz and boosting up to 4.1 GHz, it delivers workstation-class performance in a portable form factor. With a 45-watt TDP, it is designed for thick gaming laptops and mobile workstations equipped with robust cooling solutions. The processor handles intensive tasks like 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and high-refresh-rate gaming with ease when paired with a discrete GPU. Its introduction marked a paradigm shift in mobile computing, proving that laptops could legitimately rival desktop performance without sacrificing portability. The i7-8750H became the gold standard for gaming laptops, powering countless high-end systems for years.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
12 threads make quick work of rendering and compiling.
Gaming
Handles modern mid-range GPUs (up to RTX 2070) without bottlenecking.
Virtualization
Good for running VMs on a laptop.
Efficiency
45W TDP can get hot and loud in thin laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- 12 threads provide decent CPU inference
No data
Content Creation
No data
Gaming
- Pairs perfectly with GTX 1660 Ti to RTX 2070
- Can struggle to maintain 4.1 GHz in poorly cooled laptops
- Excellent for 1080p high-refresh gaming
No data
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Excellent gaming performance
- Good multi-threaded capability
- Widely supported in laptops
Cons
- Runs hot in thin laptops
- Soldered to motherboard
- 45W TDP limits battery life
- Older 14nm process
Pros
- Same gaming performance as i7-9750H
- Slightly lower OEM cost
- Strong 6-core multi-threading
Cons
- No integrated graphics
- Discrete GPU must always be on, hurting battery life
- No Intel Quick Sync support
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-8750H
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700HRival
Mobile High Performance
- AMD Ryzen 7 2800HRival
Mobile High Performance
- Intel Core i5-8300HRival
Mobile High Performance
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-8950HKRival
Mobile High Performance
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600HRival
Mobile High Performance
- Intel Core i7-9750HAlt
Successor with higher clocks and better optimization.
- Intel Core i7-10750HAlt
10th Gen alternative with similar core count.
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HAlt
Vastly superior efficiency and 8 cores.
Slightly slower but runs cooler in budget laptops.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HAlt
Better budget alternative with modern architecture.
Core i7-9750HF
- AMD Ryzen 7 3750HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-9750HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Mainstream Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550HRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8750HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HAlt
Much more efficient 8-core alternative.
- Intel Core i7-10750HAlt
Next-gen 6-core with better optimization.
Our Verdict on Each
A legendary mobile CPU that brought real desktop-class hexa-core performance to laptops, remaining viable for modern gaming.
Best for: Buying a budget used gaming laptop for 1080p gaming.
Read the full reviewIdentical to the 9750H but cheaper for OEMs. Great for gaming laptops, though the lack of Quick Sync limits video battery life.
Best for: Buying a used budget gaming laptop
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-8750H or Core i7-9750HF?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8750H comes out ahead with a score of 9/10. 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 i7-8750H or Core i7-9750HF?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8750H leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i7-8750H and Core i7-9750HF.
Do Intel Core i7-8750H and Core i7-9750HF 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 i7-8750H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8750H (13,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.