Core i3-4170 vs Core i7-8500Y

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 i3-4170 vs Core i7-8500Y 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 i3-4170 vs Core i7-8500Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4170

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Core i7-8500Y needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-8500Y.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i7-8500Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌980% higher power demand at 54W vs 5W.

Core i7-8500Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 54W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4170 across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,590 vs 3,626).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4170 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4170.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4170 better than Core i7-8500Y?

Yes. Core i3-4170 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4170 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% more average FPS across 30 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4170 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4170 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4170 vs Core i7-8500Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4170

The Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,626 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-4170 and Core i7-8500Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-4170 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-4170 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170 scores 3,626 against the Core i7-8500Y's 3,590 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-4170. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4170 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i7-8500Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+147%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	3,626+1%	3,590
Geekbench 6 Single	1,140	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,897	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4170	Core i7-8500Y
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4170) / not specified (Core i7-8500Y). The Core i3-4170 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-8500Y requires a dedicated GPU.