Core i5-5250U vs FX-9800P

Core i5-5250U vs FX-9800P Performance Spectrum

Core i5-5250U

2 / 4

2,450

0.0%

2,460

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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 i5-5250U vs FX-9800P 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 i5-5250U vs FX-9800P: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-5250U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 6000, while FX-9800P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,450 vs 2,460).
❌3313.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 15W.

FX-9800P

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 512W, a 497W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i5-5250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-9800P better than Core i5-5250U?

Yes. FX-9800P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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-9800P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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-9800P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-9800P is the better buy right now. FX-9800P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-9800P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) 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 i5-5250U vs FX-9800P Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5250U

The Core i5-5250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,450 points. Launch price was $315.

FX-9800P

The FX-9800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (per module). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-5250U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-9800P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-9800P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5250U versus 3.6 GHz on the FX-9800P — a 28.6% clock advantage for the FX-9800P (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-5250U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9800P uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5250U scores 2,450 against the FX-9800P's 2,460 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-9800P.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	FX-9800P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+69%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per module)
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,450	2,460

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5250U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9800P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5250U	FX-9800P
Socket	FCBGA1168	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-5250U) / not specified (FX-9800P). The Core i5-5250U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 6000), while the FX-9800P requires a dedicated GPU.