Core i3-10325 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 i3-10325 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 i3-10325 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 i3-10325

2021

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌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.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-8850H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,074 vs 10,291).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10325 better than Core i7-8850H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8850H is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10325 pulls ahead with 2.2% 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 i3-10325 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10325 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10325 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $154 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8850H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-10325 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i7-8850H Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10325

The Core i3-10325 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,291 points. Launch price was $154.

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 i3-10325 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 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-10325 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-8850H — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-10325 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-10325 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8850H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10325 scores 10,291 against the Core i7-8850H's 10,074 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i3-10325. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10325 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8850H.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i7-8850H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+9%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+50%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	10,291+2%	10,074

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10325 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.