Core i3-8300 vs Core i5-7500

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 i3-8300 vs Core i5-7500 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 i3-8300 vs Core i5-7500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8300

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $61 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.2 vs 32.0 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 62W instead of 65W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-7500

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-8300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,362 vs 6,370).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.0 vs 46.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-8300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8300 better than Core i5-7500?

Yes. Core i3-8300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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 i3-8300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.0% 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 i3-8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i3-8300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-8300 comes in $61 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.4% better value on MSRP (46.2 vs 32.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-8300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i3-8300 vs Core i5-7500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8300

The Core i3-8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $138.

Core i5-7500

The Core i5-7500 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-8300 and Core i5-7500 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i3-8300 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-7500 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-8300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7500 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8300 scores 6,370 against the Core i5-7500's 6,362 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-8300. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-8300 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i5-7500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	6,370	6,362
Geekbench 6 Single	1,327	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i3-8300) and Intel 200 series,Intel 100 series (Core i5-7500).

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i5-7500
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7500). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-8300) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8300 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i5-7500 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8300 rivals Ryzen 3 2300X.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i5-7500
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-8300 was priced at $138, while the Core i5-7500 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($138 vs $199), Core i3-8300 was $61 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-8300 delivers 46.2 pts/$ vs 32.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-7500 — making the Core i3-8300 the 36.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-8300	Core i5-7500
MSRP	$138-31%	$199
Performance per Dollar	46.2+44%	32.0
Release Date	2018	2017

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