Core i5-4278U vs FX-8800P

Core i5-4278U vs FX-8800P Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4278U

2 / 4

2,826

0.0%

2,833

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 i5-4278U vs FX-8800P 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 i5-4278U vs FX-8800P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, while FX-8800P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8800P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,826 vs 2,833).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

FX-8800P

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i5-4278U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4278U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8800P better than Core i5-4278U?

Yes. FX-8800P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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, FX-8800P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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, FX-8800P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-8800P is the better buy right now. FX-8800P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-8800P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4278U vs FX-8800P Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

FX-8800P

The FX-8800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,833 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4278U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8800P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-8800P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U versus 3.4 GHz on the FX-8800P — a 9.2% clock advantage for the FX-8800P (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-4278U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8800P uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4278U scores 2,826 against the FX-8800P's 2,833 — a 0.2% lead for the FX-8800P.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	FX-8800P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2048 kB+300%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,826	2,833
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,688	—
Geekbench 6 Single	889	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,860	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4278U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8800P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	FX-8800P
Socket	FCBGA1168	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-4278U) / not specified (FX-8800P). The Core i5-4278U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the FX-8800P requires a dedicated GPU.