Core i5-8210Y vs Core m3-7Y32

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 i5-8210Y vs Core m3-7Y32 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 i5-8210Y vs Core m3-7Y32: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8210Y

2018

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 617, while Core m3-7Y32 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌55.6% higher power demand at 7W vs 4.5W.

Core m3-7Y32

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 7W, a 3W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,697 vs 2,723).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i5-8210Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8210Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8210Y better than Core m3-7Y32?

Yes. Core i5-8210Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 i5-8210Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.3% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8210Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-8210Y is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-8210Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-7Y32 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.3% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-8210Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 i5-8210Y vs Core m3-7Y32 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8210Y

The Core i5-8210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 October 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,723 points. Launch price was $281.

Core m3-7Y32

The Core m3-7Y32 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,697 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8210Y and Core m3-7Y32 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8210Y versus 3 GHz on the Core m3-7Y32 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-8210Y (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-8210Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core m3-7Y32 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8210Y scores 2,723 against the Core m3-7Y32's 2,697 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-8210Y. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-8210Y	Core m3-7Y32
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+45%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,723	2,697
Geekbench 6 Single	796	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1515 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-8210Y	Core m3-7Y32
Socket	FCBGA1515	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	10	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8210Y) / not specified (Core m3-7Y32). The Core i5-8210Y includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 617), while the Core m3-7Y32 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-8210Y rivals Athlon 3050U.