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 i5-10500 vs Core i7-7800X 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 i5-10500 vs Core i7-7800X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10500

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).
✅Costs $183 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $383 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 65.3 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $383 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-7800X

2017

Why buy it

✅75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,963 vs 13,067).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 65.3 PassMark/$ ($383 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10500 better than Core i7-7800X?

Yes. Core i5-10500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 i5-10500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.1% 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 i5-10500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB).

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

Core i5-10500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-10500 comes in $183 cheaper on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $383 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 93.0% better value on MSRP (65.3 vs 33.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 45.5% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8.3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10500 vs Core i7-7800X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10500

The Core i5-10500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,067 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-7800X

The Core i7-7800X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 12,963 points. Launch price was $383.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10500 and Core i7-7800X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10500 versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-7800X — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10500 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-10500 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7800X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10500 scores 13,067 against the Core i7-7800X's 12,963 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-10500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10500 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Core i7-7800X.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-7800X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+13%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+45%	8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,067	12,963
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,897
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,114
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,951

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7800X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-10500 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7800X — the Core i5-10500 supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-10500) vs 4 (Core i7-7800X). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-10500) vs 28 (Core i7-7800X) — the Core i7-7800X offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-7800X
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+11%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	28+75%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-7800X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10500) vs Yes (Core i7-7800X). The Core i5-10500 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-7800X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-7800X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10500 was priced at $200, while the Core i7-7800X came in at $383. On launch pricing ($200 vs $383), Core i5-10500 was $183 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10500 delivers 65.3 pts/$ vs 33.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-7800X — making the Core i5-10500 the 63.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10500	Core i7-7800X
MSRP	$200-48%	$383
Performance per Dollar	65.3+93%	33.8
Release Date	2020	2017

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