Core i3-8109U vs Ryzen 7 5800X

Core i3-8109U vs Ryzen 7 5800X Performance Spectrum

Core i3-8109U

2 / 4

4,184

0.0%

27,712

+562.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

About PassMark

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 Ryzen 7 5800X 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 Ryzen 7 5800X: 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

✅Draws 28W instead of 105W, a 77W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics 655, while Ryzen 7 5800X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,184 vs 27,712).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +190.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $449 MSRP, while Core i3-8109U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌275% higher power demand at 105W vs 28W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-8109U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Core i3-8109U?

Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 190.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 562.3% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 190.6% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 562.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $449 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 190.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8109U vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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.

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5800X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 26.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 147.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.7 GHz+31%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	32 MB+700%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	4,184	27,712+562%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800X — the Ryzen 7 5800X supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5800X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-8109U) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Ryzen 7 5800X
Socket	FCBGA1528	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5800X 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 AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). The Core i3-8109U includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics 655), while the Ryzen 7 5800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop, Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.