Core i5-7300U vs Core i7-8500Y

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 i5-7300U vs Core i7-8500Y 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 i5-7300U vs Core i7-8500Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7300U

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Core i7-8500Y needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌200% higher power demand at 15W vs 5W.

Core i7-8500Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 5W instead of 15W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,590 vs 3,631).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7300U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8500Y better than Core i5-7300U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8500Y is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7300U pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-8500Y also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7300U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-8500Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8500Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7300U vs Core i7-8500Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7300U

The Core i5-7300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,631 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-7300U and Core i7-8500Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-7300U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7300U scores 3,631 against the Core i7-8500Y's 3,590 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-7300U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-7300U vs 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y.

Feature	Core i5-7300U	Core i7-8500Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+73%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	3,631+1%	3,590

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7300U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7300U	Core i7-8500Y
Socket	BGA1356	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7300U) / not specified (Core i7-8500Y). The Core i5-7300U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-8500Y requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7300U targets Mobile.