Core i5-8250U vs FX-8370

Core i5-8250U vs FX-8370 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8250U

4 / 8

6,158

0.0%

6,184

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

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 FX-8370 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 FX-8370: 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 125W, a 110W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while FX-8370 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,158 vs 6,184).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8370.

FX-8370

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-8250U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-8250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌733.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8370 better than Core i5-8250U?

Yes. FX-8370 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8370 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.5% 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, FX-8370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-8370 is the better buy right now. FX-8370 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8250U vs FX-8370 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.

FX-8370

The FX-8370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8250U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8370 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the FX-8370 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8370 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the FX-8370's 6,184 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-8370. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,127 vs 520, a 73.7% lead for the Core i5-8250U that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	FX-8370
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	4 GHz+150%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	6,158	6,184
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,800
Geekbench 6 Single	1,127+117%	520
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,050

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8250U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8370 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8250U versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8370 — the Core i5-8250U supports 28.6% 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 20 (FX-8370) — the FX-8370 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Kaby Lake-R (Core i5-8250U) and 970,990FX,990X (FX-8370).

Feature	Core i5-8250U	FX-8370
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+29%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	20+67%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-8370 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8250U) vs AMD-V (FX-8370). The Core i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the FX-8370 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop, FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U; FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400.