Core i3-8145UE vs Core i5-7260U

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 i3-8145UE vs Core i5-7260U 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 i3-8145UE vs Core i5-7260U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8145UE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-7260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-8145UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,953 vs 4,021).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8145UE better than Core i5-7260U?

Yes. Core i3-8145UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.7% 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 i3-8145UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 i3-8145UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-8145UE is the better buy right now. Core i3-8145UE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8145UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-8145UE vs Core i5-7260U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8145UE

The Core i3-8145UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,021 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8145UE and Core i5-7260U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-8145UE versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-8145UE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i3-8145UE uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-7260U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8145UE scores 4,021 against the Core i5-7260U's 3,953 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i3-8145UE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,218 vs 1,192, a 2.2% lead for the Core i3-8145UE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8145UE vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U.

Feature	Core i3-8145UE	Core i5-7260U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,021+2%	3,953
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,356	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,218+2%	1,192
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,356	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8145UE uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8145UE versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7260U — the Core i3-8145UE supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-8145UE 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 i3-8145UE) vs 12 (Core i5-7260U) — the Core i3-8145UE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Whiskey Lake (Core i3-8145UE) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7260U).

Feature	Core i3-8145UE	Core i5-7260U
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-8145UE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7260U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD 620 (Core i3-8145UE) and Iris Plus Graphics 640 (Core i5-7260U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8145UE targets Budget, Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8145UE rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i3-8145UE	Core i5-7260U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD 620	Iris Plus Graphics 640
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Mainstream Laptop