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 i5-3380M vs Pentium 8500 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 i5-3380M vs Pentium 8500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3380M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (700 vs 1,250).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,600 vs 2,100).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌5588.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 9W.
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Pentium 8500 moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Pentium 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅+78.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 512W, a 503W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $200 MSRP, while Core i5-3380M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 8500 better than Core i5-3380M?

Yes. Pentium 8500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31.3% better Geekbench multi-core, 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, Pentium 8500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 8500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 5 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium 8500 is the better buy right now. Pentium 8500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $200 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 5 cores / 6 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-3380M vs Pentium 8500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3380M

The Core i5-3380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,938 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium 8500

The Pentium 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,900 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3380M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Pentium 8500 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3380M versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium 8500 — a 20% clock advantage for the Pentium 8500 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i5-3380M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 8500 uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3380M scores 2,938 against the Pentium 8500's 2,900 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-3380M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 700 vs 1,250, a 56.4% lead for the Pentium 8500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,600 vs 2,100 (27% advantage for the Pentium 8500). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3380M vs 8 MB (total) on the Pentium 8500.

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Pentium 8500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	5 / 6+150%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+190%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-U (2022)
PassMark	2,938+1%	2,900
Geekbench 6 Single	700	1,250+79%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,600	2,100+31%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 8500 uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3380M versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Pentium 8500 — the Pentium 8500 supports 225% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium 8500 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 i5-3380M) vs 14 (Pentium 8500) — the Core i5-3380M offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM77,QM77 (Core i5-3380M) and SoC (Pentium 8500).

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Pentium 8500
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1781
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	LPDDR5-5200+225%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+14%	14

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3380M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium 8500). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3380M) and Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU) (Pentium 8500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3380M targets Business Laptop, Pentium 8500 targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3380M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3380M	Pentium 8500
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Business Laptop	Entry Level Laptop