Core i3-9320 vs Core i5-8257U

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 i3-9320 vs Core i5-8257U 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 i3-9320 vs Core i5-8257U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9320

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,358 vs 7,427).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i5-8257U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6100% higher power demand at 62W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8257U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-8257U

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 62W, a 61W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, while Core i3-9320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8257U better than Core i3-9320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-9320 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8257U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8257U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8257U is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8257U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $154 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i3-9320 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,358 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i5-8257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9320 vs Core i5-8257U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9320

The Core i3-9320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 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 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,358 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-8257U

The Core i5-8257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,427 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-8257U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-9320 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8257U — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i3-9320 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8257U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9320 scores 7,358 against the Core i5-8257U's 7,427 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-8257U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9320 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-8257U.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8257U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+13%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+164%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,358	7,427
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,017
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,100
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8257U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i5-8257U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-9320) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8257U). The Core i5-8257U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645), while the Core i3-9320 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8257U targets Ultrabook.