Core i3-8100 vs Core i5-8250U

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 i3-8100 vs Core i5-8250U 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 i3-8100 vs Core i5-8250U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8100

2017

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-8250U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8250U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,073 vs 6,158).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Core i5-8250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i5-8250U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8100.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8250U better than Core i3-8100?

Yes. Core i5-8250U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8250U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8250U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-8100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (51.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-8250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8100 vs Core i5-8250U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8100

The Core i3-8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,073 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i5-8250U

The Core i5-8250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,158 points. Launch price was $297.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-8250U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8100 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-8100 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8250U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8100 scores 6,073 against the Core i5-8250U's 6,158 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-8250U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 1,127, a 6.3% lead for the Core i3-8100 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i5-8250U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+6%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+125%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,073	6,158+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200+6%	1,127
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8100 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8250U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Core i3-8100 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-8100) vs 12 (Core i5-8250U) — the Core i3-8100 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H310,H370,Z370,Z390 (Core i3-8100) and Kaby Lake-R (Core i5-8250U).

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i5-8250U
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8100) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8250U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8100) and UHD Graphics 620 (Core i5-8250U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8100 targets Budget Desktop, Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.

Feature	Core i3-8100	Core i5-8250U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Mainstream Laptop