Quick Verdict
A legendary mobile CPU that brought real desktop-class hexa-core performance to laptops, remaining viable for modern gaming.
Overview
Launch
Apr 2nd, 2018
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
Core i7 (Coffee Lake-H)
Market
Mobile
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 Intel Core i7-8750H is a Coffee Lake-H mobile processor with 6 cores and 12 threads. It features a base clock of 2.2 GHz and boosts up to 4.
1 GHz. With a 45W TDP, it is designed for gaming laptops and mobile workstations, delivering excellent performance for gaming, streaming, and content creation.
Specifications
Performance
12 threads make quick work of rendering and compiling.
Good for running VMs on a laptop.
Handles modern mid-range GPUs (up to RTX 2070) without bottlenecking.
45W TDP can get hot and loud in thin laptops.
- •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 AI hardware
- •12 threads provide decent CPU inference
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Coffee Lake-H
Codename
6C / 12T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
45 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-8750H is built on Intel's 14nm Coffee Lake architecture, specifically optimized for high-performance mobile environments. It features six cores and twelve threads, sharing 12 MB of L3 SmartCache to handle demanding parallel workloads. The architecture supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, crucial for providing bandwidth to the integrated UHD 630 graphics and system processes. Utilizing the FCBGA1440 socket, it is soldered directly to the laptop motherboard to minimize footprint and improve thermals. The 45W TDP architecture allows for aggressive turbo boosting up to 4.1 GHz, but relies heavily on the laptop's cooling solution to sustain these clocks. Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 dynamically manages thermals, dropping clocks if the system gets too hot. This architecture represents Intel's push to maximize core density in the mobile space, offering a significant multi-threaded performance leap over previous quad-core mobile i7s, fundamentally changing the capabilities of gaming and creator laptops.
CPU Design
6 cores, 12 threads, soldered BGA.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2666.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked.
- Two additional cores
- Four additional threads
- Higher turbo frequencies
Key Highlights
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Excellent gaming performance
- Good multi-threaded capability
- Widely supported in laptops
- Runs hot in thin laptops
- Soldered to motherboard
- 45W TDP limits battery life
- Older 14nm process
History
Launched in April 2018, the Core i7-8750H arrived at a crucial time for the PC gaming market. Gaming laptops were growing in popularity, but were often bottlenecked by quad-core mobile processors that struggled with modern game engines and background tasks like streaming. AMD's Ryzen desktop architecture was pushing core counts higher, and Intel responded by bringing six cores to their mobile H-series lineup.
The i7-8750H instantly became the most popular gaming laptop CPU, offering a 50% increase in core count over the 7700HQ. This release transformed the mobile landscape, allowing laptops to comfortably handle multi-threaded workloads like video rendering and heavy multitasking that were previously desktop-exclusive. It powered a generation of highly successful gaming laptops and mobile workstations, solidifying Intel's dominance in the high-performance mobile sector.
The 8750H's legacy is its role in making six-core processing the absolute standard for mainstream gaming laptops.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Two additional cores
- Four additional threads
- Higher turbo frequencies
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a budget used gaming laptop for 1080p gaming.
Avoid if…
- Buying a brand new laptop
- Need extreme portability
- Require long battery life
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was the most popular gaming laptop CPU of 2018-2019.
Brought 6 cores to the 45W mobile segment for the first time.
Features a 149 mm² die.
Released in April 2018.
Uses the FCBGA1440 socket.
Supports Intel Optane Memory.
Has a tCase max of 72°C.
Includes Intel AES-NI.
Supports dual-channel DDR4.
Max turbo is 4.1 GHz.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-8750H still good for gaming?
Yes, it handles 1080p gaming perfectly when paired with a mid-range GPU.
Can the i7-8750H be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked. Look for the i9-8950HK.
What is the TDP of i7-8750H?
45 Watts.
Why does my i7-8750H get hot?
It's a 45W chip, and many laptop coolers are insufficient, causing thermal throttling.
Does i7-8750H have integrated graphics?
Yes, Intel UHD Graphics 630.
What socket does i7-8750H use?
FCBGA1440, soldered to the motherboard.
How many cores does it have?
6 cores and 12 threads.
Does it support DDR4?
Yes, up to 2666 MT/s.
Is it compatible with Windows 11?
Officially not supported, but runs perfectly.
Is it good for video editing?
Yes, 12 threads make it very capable for mobile editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does i7-8750H support PCIe 4.0?
No, it supports PCIe 3.0.
Is it good for streaming?
Yes, it can handle 1080p60 streaming while gaming.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What is the all-core turbo?
Approximately 3.9 GHz under good cooling.
What is the base clock?
2.2 GHz.
Does it have Hyper-Threading?
Yes.
Can it run 4K video?
Yes, smoothly.
Does it support Optane?
Yes.
What is the L3 cache?
12 MB.
Is it unlocked?
No.