Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-8550U

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 i7-8550U 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 i7-8550U: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Core i7-8550U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8550U

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,118 vs 6,158).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8250U better than Core i7-8550U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8550U is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8250U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-8550U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8250U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8250U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8250U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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 more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-8550U 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 i7-8550U

The Core i7-8550U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,118 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8250U and Core i7-8550U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-8550U — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8550U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the Core i7-8550U's 6,118 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8250U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8550U.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-8550U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4 GHz+18%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,158	6,118
Geekbench 6 Single	1,127	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1356 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-8550U
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
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, EPT (Core i5-8250U) / not specified (Core i7-8550U). The Core i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-8550U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.