iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Intel’s April 3, 2018 announcement was a platform expansion, not a single processor launch. It introduced the company’s first mobile Core i9, completed much of the Coffee Lake desktop range, added 28 W Iris Plus mobile CPUs with 128 MB eDRAM, introduced new 300-series chipsets, expanded vPro systems and extended Core i5+, i7+ and i9+ branding to Optane-equipped PCs. These are legacy products as of 2026, but the launch explains how Intel’s 8th-generation lineup was divided across laptops, desktops and business platforms.
The first mobile Core i9 was the Core i9-8950HK
The headline product was the Core i9-8950HK, Intel’s first laptop processor carrying the Core i9 name and its first mainstream high-performance mobile chip with six cores and 12 threads. Intel announced it on April 3, 2018, with availability planned for the second quarter.
| Specification | Core i9-8950HK |
|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 |
| Base frequency | 2.90 GHz |
| Maximum turbo | Up to 4.80 GHz |
| Cache | 12 MB Intel Smart Cache |
| TDP | 45 W |
| Process | 14 nm |
| Multiplier | Unlocked |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
Sources: Intel ARK and Intel’s April 2018 announcement.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What the 4.8 GHz figure means
The advertised 4.8 GHz is a maximum turbo frequency, not a guaranteed all-core speed. Thermal Velocity Boost could add up to 200 MHz when temperature, power and workload conditions allowed. The laptop’s cooling system, firmware power limits and voltage settings determined how long high clocks could be maintained. A 45 W TDP was not a hard ceiling on turbo power, and an unlocked multiplier did not guarantee useful overclocking: the manufacturer had to expose suitable BIOS controls and provide adequate cooling and power delivery.
#1 Best Overall
- Game without compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
- Leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz gives you smoother game play, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
Intel called the chip the fastest laptop processor it had built, but that was a vendor claim made at launch. The practical advantage over a well-cooled Core i7 depended on the complete laptop design rather than the badge alone.
The rest of the 45 W Coffee Lake-H family
The same launch added two six-core Core i7 processors and a quad-core Core i5. Their specifications show why the i9 was more than simply a higher-clocked i7, while also showing how close the models could be in a properly cooled chassis.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base | Max turbo | Cache | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-8950HK | 6 / 12 | 2.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz | 12 MB | 45 W |
| Core i7-8850H | 6 / 12 | 2.60 GHz | 4.30 GHz | 9 MB | 45 W |
| Core i7-8750H | 6 / 12 | 2.20 GHz | 4.10 GHz | 9 MB | 45 W |
| Core i5-8400H | 4 / 8 | 2.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz | 8 MB | 45 W |
Source: Intel’s processor comparison database. Additional mobile Xeon E parts were announced for workstation-class notebooks.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor a buyer, sustained cooling and the laptop’s discrete GPU mattered more than the CPU tier in isolation. A thick i7 system with generous power limits could outperform a thin i9 system that quickly hit thermal limits. Intel’s launch claims of up to 41% higher gaming performance and up to 59% faster 4K video editing were company benchmarks under specified test conditions, not universal results.
Iris Plus brought 128 MB of eDRAM to 28 W laptops
Intel also introduced four Coffee Lake mobile processors aimed at systems that needed stronger integrated graphics without a 45 W gaming CPU. The parts used a 28 W TDP, Intel Gen9.5 GT3e graphics and 128 MB of embedded DRAM.
Rank #2
- Get ultra-efficient with Intel Core Ultra desktop processors that improve both performance and efficiency so your PC can run cooler, quieter, and quicker.
- Core and Threads 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 24 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
- Performance Hybrid Architecture Integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Performance Unlocked Up to 5.7 GHz unlocked. 40MB Cache
- Compatibility Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base | Max turbo | Cache | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-8559U | 4 / 8 | 2.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz | 8 MB | 48 EUs, 128 MB eDRAM |
| Core i5-8269U | 4 / 8 | 2.60 GHz | 4.20 GHz | 6 MB | 48 EUs, 128 MB eDRAM |
| Core i5-8259U | 4 / 8 | 2.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz | 6 MB | 48 EUs, 128 MB eDRAM |
| Core i3-8109U | 2 / 4 | 3.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz | 4 MB | 47 EUs, 128 MB eDRAM |
Sources: AnandTech’s launch coverage and Intel’s specification database.
Most contemporary Intel integrated graphics used the smaller GT2 design with 24 execution units. GT3e doubled the execution resources on the quad-core parts and paired them with eDRAM that could act as a large L4 cache for graphics and some memory-sensitive CPU work. It improved the integrated-GPU tier; it did not make these chips equivalent to a laptop with a modern discrete GPU. Dual-channel memory, cooling, drivers and the manufacturer’s power settings still affected results.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Intel completed the mainstream Coffee Lake desktop range
October 2017 had introduced the first six 8th-generation desktop models. The April expansion filled in the 65 W and 35 W ranges, added quad-core Core i3 processors and extended the stack down to Pentium Gold and Celeron.
| Processor | Cores / threads | TDP | Base / max turbo | April 2018 launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-8700 | 6 / 12 | 65 W | 3.20 / 4.60 GHz | $303 |
| Core i7-8700T | 6 / 12 | 35 W | 2.40 / 4.00 GHz | $303 |
| Core i5-8600 | 6 / 6 | 65 W | 3.10 / 4.30 GHz | $213 |
| Core i5-8500 | 6 / 6 | 65 W | 3.00 / 4.10 GHz | $192 |
| Core i5-8400T | 6 / 6 | 35 W | 1.70 / 3.30 GHz | $192 |
| Core i3-8300 | 4 / 4 | 65 W | 3.70 GHz | $138 |
| Core i3-8100 | 4 / 4 | 65 W | 3.60 GHz | $117 |
| Pentium Gold G5600 | 2 / 4 | 54 W | 3.90 GHz | $86 |
| Celeron G4920 | 2 / 2 | 54 W | 3.20 GHz | $52 |
These are historical recommended launch prices, not current 2026 values. The figures and model details come from AnandTech’s 2018 coverage.
The “T” suffix identified lower-power parts for compact or quiet systems. Intel’s TDP was specified at base frequency, so turbo operation could exceed 35 W. Low base clocks on some T models reflected Intel’s power-rating method and did not directly predict application performance.
Rank #3
- Built for the Next Generation of Gaming. Game and multitask without compromise powered by Intel’s performance hybrid architecture on an unlocked processor.
- Discrete graphics required
- Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
- The processor features Socket LGA-1700 socket for installation on the PCB
- 30 MB of L3 cache memory provides excellent hit rate in short access time enabling improved system performance
What H370, B360, H310 and Q370 changed
The new desktop chipsets made Coffee Lake systems available below the enthusiast Z370 platform:
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| Chipset | Typical role | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| H370 | Mainstream consumer systems | No CPU-multiplier overclocking |
| B360 | Value and business-oriented systems | Feature mix depends on the board |
| H310 | Entry-level PCs | Fewer platform resources |
| Q370 | Business desktops | Platform for vPro-oriented configurations |
| Z370 | Enthusiast systems | Required for multiplier overclocking of unlocked CPUs |
A chipset’s maximum capability was not a promise that every motherboard exposed it. USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, PCIe lanes, SATA and RAID options, Wi-Fi, Optane support, BIOS compatibility and VRM quality varied by board. AnandTech’s H370 motherboard examination showed that a board could use H370 without providing every available 10 Gbps USB connection.
HM370 and QM370 for Coffee Lake-H notebooks
High-performance mobile processors used Intel’s 300-series mobile chipsets. HM370 targeted consumer notebooks; QM370 added business-platform capabilities.
| Feature | HM370 | QM370 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum PCIe lanes | 16 | 20 |
| Maximum USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports | 4 | 6 |
| SATA 6 Gb/s ports | 4 | 4 |
| Intel Wireless-AC MAC | Yes | Yes |
| Optane support | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Standard Manageability | No | Yes |
| SIPP | No | Yes |
| vPro platform | Not listed as vPro | vPro platform |
Sources: Intel’s HM370 specifications and QM370 specifications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What 8th-generation vPro actually required
vPro targeted managed business fleets, not ordinary performance buyers. Eligible configurations could combine hardware-assisted management, Intel Active Management Technology, security and virtualization features, and deployment programs intended for IT administrators.
Rank #4
- Game without compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Discrete graphics required
- Leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz gives you smoother game play, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
A vPro-eligible processor alone did not create a vPro computer. Intel says the OEM system, chipset, firmware, networking hardware and configuration must also qualify; buyers should verify the complete platform with the manufacturer. See Intel’s vPro eligibility guidance. QM370 notebooks and Q370 desktops were the relevant platform choices in this launch, while consumer HM370 and mainstream desktop boards were not automatically equivalent.
Core i5+, i7+ and i9+ were Optane system badges
The “plus” suffix did not identify a new CPU architecture or a faster version of a Core processor. It described a system pairing a compatible Core CPU with Intel Optane Memory.
Optane Memory acted as a cache or accelerator for supported SATA-based storage, allowing a hard drive or larger SATA device to retain its capacity while frequently used data was served from the faster cache. Intel also announced acceleration for a secondary data drive. That required the right processor and chipset, BIOS storage mode, drive arrangement and Intel Rapid Storage Technology software; not every M.2 slot accepted an Optane module. Intel’s compatibility requirements are documented here.
- “Core i7+” was not a higher-performance i7 CPU.
- Optane was an acceleration layer, not a replacement for a full SSD.
- For a new system, a conventional NVMe or SATA SSD was often simpler than a cached hard-drive setup.
What the launch meant
Intel broadened the 8th-generation label across several different designs and power classes: six-core enthusiast laptops, 28 W Iris Plus notebooks, mainstream and low-power desktops, entry-level Pentium and Celeron systems, and business platforms with vPro. “8th Gen Core” therefore was an umbrella generation rather than one uniform architecture.
For historical buyers, the practical lesson remains useful: laptop performance depended on sustained cooling; desktop compatibility depended on the exact 300-series board and BIOS; vPro depended on a complete managed platform; and a Core “plus” badge described Optane configuration rather than CPU performance. As of August 2026, these processors and chipsets are discontinued legacy hardware, so any purchase decision requires separately verified used-market condition, support and pricing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
