Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2018
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
8th Generation (Coffee Lake)
Market
Desktop
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 Intel Core i5-8500T is an 8th Gen Coffee Lake processor designed for low-power desktops. With 6 cores and 6 threads, it handles office tasks easily. The 'T' means a 35W TDP for quiet operation.
It has a base clock of 2.1 GHz and boosts up to 3.5 GHz.
It supports DDR4-2666 and includes UHD Graphics 630. It offers better single-core performance than the 8400T, making it ideal for responsive SFF PCs.
Specifications
Performance
6 cores handle office tasks easily, with decent single-core speed.
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
Can handle light games, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
- •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.
- •No dedicated AI hardware.
- •Low clocks make inference slow.
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Coffee Lake
Codename
6C / 6T
Core Config
9 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-8500T is based on the Coffee Lake architecture, which brought 6-core designs to the mainstream i5 desktop lineup. Built on the 14nm process, it is binned for higher frequencies within the strict 35W TDP envelope.
CPU Design
It features 6 physical cores without Hyper-Threading, utilizing a ring bus topology to connect to the 9 MB L3 Smart Cache. This design ensures low latency and efficient data sharing between cores.
Memory Subsystem
The integrated memory controller supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2666 MT/s, providing adequate bandwidth for integrated graphics and general system responsiveness.
PCIe & I/O
The processor offers 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for direct expansion. This is sufficient for a single discrete GPU and an NVMe drive, though the low TDP usually limits GPU choices.
Overclocking
The 'T' series processors are locked, meaning the multiplier cannot be adjusted. The 35W TDP ensures the chip runs cool, but power limits can throttle performance under heavy, sustained multi-core loads.
- Two additional cores (6 vs 4)
- Higher max turbo (3.5 GHz vs 3.0 GHz)
- Larger cache (9MB vs 6MB)
Key Highlights
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- 6 cores for parallel tasks
- Higher base clock than 8400T
- Runs very cool
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
- Limited by 35W power limit under load
History
The Core i5-8500T launched in April 2018 as the mid-range option in Intel's low-power Coffee Lake lineup.</br>It offered a noticeable improvement over the 8400T, with a higher base clock that improved system responsiveness.</br>This processor was heavily favored by OEMs building all-in-one systems and compact corporate desktops, where the 35W TDP allowed for sleek designs without noisy fans.
</br>The 6-core configuration ensured that these machines could handle office multitasking with ease, a significant upgrade over the 4-core 7th generation.</br>While it never appealed to enthusiast builders due to its locked nature, it served the enterprise and SFF markets exceptionally well.</br>It remains a competent chip for basic computing tasks on the used market.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Two additional cores (6 vs 4)
- Higher max turbo (3.5 GHz vs 3.0 GHz)
- Larger cache (9MB vs 6MB)
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Building a quiet home server or SFF office PC using used parts.
Avoid if…
- You need high single-core performance for modern gaming
- You are buying new components
- You require Hyper-Threading
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 'T' suffix denotes a low-power desktop processor, usually 35W.
It was the first generation to offer 6 cores in the Core i5 desktop lineup.
It is compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards, but only 300-series chipsets.
It supports DDR4-2666 memory.
The processor includes Intel UHD Graphics 630.
It was launched in April 2018.
The max turbo boost is 3.5 GHz.
It is not unlocked for overclocking.
It was popular in small form factor office PCs.
It offers a 400 MHz higher base clock than the 8400T.
People Also Ask
Is Intel Core i5-8500T good for gaming?
It is okay for light games, but its low clocks limit performance in modern titles.
What is the TDP of the i5-8500T?
35 Watts, making it very power efficient.
Can I overclock the i5-8500T?
No, it is a locked processor.
How many cores does the i5-8500T have?
6 cores and 6 threads.
What socket does the i5-8500T use?
LGA 1151.
What is the max turbo of the i5-8500T?
Up to 3.5 GHz.
Does it have integrated graphics?
Yes, Intel UHD Graphics 630.
What RAM does it support?
DDR4 up to 2666 MT/s.
Is the i5-8500T better than the i5-8400T?
Yes, it has higher base and boost clocks.
Can it run Windows 11?
Yes, it is officially supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core i5-8500T still good in 2024?
It is still usable for office work and media playback, but outdated for heavy tasks.
Does it need a dedicated GPU?
No, it has integrated graphics, but a GPU is needed for gaming.
What chipset does it need?
Intel 300-series chipset (e.g., H310, B360).
Can I use it on a 200-series motherboard?
Not officially, it requires 300-series.
Is it good for video editing?
It can handle basic 1080p editing, but is slow due to low clocks.
What is the base clock?
2.1 GHz.
Is it good for a home server?
Yes, its 35W TDP makes it excellent for always-on servers.
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
No, it has 6 cores but only 6 threads.
Does it come with a cooler?
Yes, it includes a stock Intel cooler.
What is the max memory?
Up to 128 GB.