Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-8650U

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 i7-8650U 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 i7-8650U: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Core i7-8650U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8650U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,158 vs 6,194).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8650U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8650U better than Core i5-8250U?

Yes. Core i7-8650U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 i7-8650U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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, Core i7-8650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% 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 i7-8650U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8650U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8650U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and 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 i7-8650U 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 i7-8650U

The Core i7-8650U 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 6,194 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8250U and Core i7-8650U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8650U — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8650U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.9 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 i7-8650U's 6,194 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-8650U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8650U.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-8650U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.9 GHz+19%
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	6,194
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 i7-8650U
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 i7-8650U). The Core i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-8650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.