Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-2500K

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 i3-8109U vs Core i5-2500K 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 i3-8109U vs Core i5-2500K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅+60.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500K.

Core i5-2500K

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8109U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (684 vs 1,100).
❌Lower PassMark (4,141 vs 4,184).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than Core i5-2500K?

Yes. Core i3-8109U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 i3-8109U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.0% 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 i3-8109U 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 i3-8109U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-8109U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2500K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-8109U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-2500K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i5-2500K

The Core i5-2500K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,141 points. Launch price was $216.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500K — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i5-2500K's 4,141 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-8109U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 684, a 46.6% lead for the Core i3-8109U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2500K.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-2500K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.3 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,184+1%	4,141
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,200
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+61%	684
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,032

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500K — the Core i3-8109U supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-2500K
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8109U) vs VT-x (Core i5-2500K). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 655 (Core i3-8109U) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2500K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop, Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-2500K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 655	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	Performance Laptop	Gaming