Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-2550K

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 i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K: 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

✅+55.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 655, while Core i5-2550K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,184 vs 4,228).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+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 (707 vs 1,100).
❌Launch MSRP is still $235 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8109U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than Core i5-2550K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8109U is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2550K pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i5-2550K also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2550K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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 $235 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2550K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2550K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2550K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-2550K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2550K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i5-2550K's 4,228 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-2550K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 707, a 43.5% lead for the Core i3-8109U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-2550K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,184	4,228+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,058
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+56%	707
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,010

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2550K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-2550K — the Core i3-8109U supports 50% 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 i5-2550K
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
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

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8109U) vs Yes (Core i5-2550K). The Core i3-8109U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 655), while the Core i5-2550K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.