Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-3770S

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 i5-8250U vs Core i7-3770S 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 i5-8250U vs Core i7-3770S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8250U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3770S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,158 vs 6,173).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-3770S.

Core i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-8250U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i5-8250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3770S better than Core i5-8250U?

Yes. Core i7-3770S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3770S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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, Core i7-3770S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-3770S is the better buy right now. Core i7-3770S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-8250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-3770S Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8250U

The Core i5-8250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,158 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8250U and Core i7-3770S share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770S (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3770S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the Core i7-3770S's 6,173 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3770S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,127 vs 694, a 47.6% lead for the Core i5-8250U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-3770S
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+15%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.1 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,158	6,173
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,127+62%	694
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,303

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8250U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3770S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8250U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3770S — the Core i5-8250U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-8250U) vs 16 (Core i7-3770S) — the Core i7-3770S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-R (Core i5-8250U) and Z77,H77,B75,Z68,P67,H67 (Core i7-3770S).

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-3770S
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8250U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3770S). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 620 (Core i5-8250U) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3770S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-3770S targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-3770S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 620	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Budget