Core i3-9320 vs Core i7-8557U

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 i7-8557U 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 i7-8557U: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8557U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $154 MSRP, while Core i7-8557U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6100% higher power demand at 62W vs 1W.

Core i7-8557U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 62W, a 61W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,309 vs 7,358).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8557U better than Core i3-9320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8557U is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9320 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-8557U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9320 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-8557U is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8557U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $154 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. 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 i7-8557U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9320 vs Core i7-8557U 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 i7-8557U

The Core i7-8557U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 7,309 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9320 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-8557U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-9320 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8557U — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8557U (base: 3.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i3-9320 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8557U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9320 scores 7,358 against the Core i7-8557U's 7,309 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-9320. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9320 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-8557U.

Feature	Core i3-9320	Core i7-8557U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+118%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
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	7,309

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8557U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.