Core i3-10320 vs Core i7-8850H

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10320 vs Core i7-8850H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10320 vs Core i7-8850H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10320

2020

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,972 vs 10,074).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i7-8850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌102.2% higher power demand at 91W vs 45W.

Core i7-8850H

2018

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 91W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10320 better than Core i7-8850H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10320 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8850H pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-8850H also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10320 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $154 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-8850H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (64.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10320 vs Core i7-8850H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10320

The Core i3-10320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $162.

Core i7-8850H

The Core i7-8850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,074 points. Launch price was $395.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10320 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8850H offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-8850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-10320 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-8850H — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-10320 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-10320 uses the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8850H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10320 scores 9,972 against the Core i7-8850H's 10,074 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-8850H. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10320 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8850H.

Feature	Core i3-10320	Core i7-8850H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+7%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+46%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-S (2020)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,972	10,074+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10320 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.