Core i5-8265U vs Core i7-3820

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 i5-8265U vs Core i7-3820 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 i5-8265U vs Core i7-3820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8265U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 620, while Core i7-3820 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,787 vs 5,812).
❌Launch MSRP is still $286 MSRP, while Core i5-8265U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8265U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8265U better than Core i7-3820?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3820 is ahead with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8265U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-3820 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8265U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8265U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8265U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $286 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-3820 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i5-8265U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) 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 i5-8265U vs Core i7-3820 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8265U

The Core i5-8265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,812 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8265U and Core i7-3820 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8265U versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8265U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8265U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3820 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8265U scores 5,812 against the Core i7-3820's 5,787 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-8265U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,200 vs 624, a 63.2% lead for the Core i5-8265U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8265U vs 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i7-3820
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+125%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,812	5,787
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200+92%	624
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,500	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8265U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3820 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8265U versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820 — the Core i5-8265U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-8265U) vs 4 (Core i7-3820). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-8265U) vs 40 (Core i7-3820) — the Core i7-3820 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i5-8265U) and X79 (Core i7-3820).

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i7-3820
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3820 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-8265U includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-3820 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8265U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i7-3820
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 620	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	HEDT Desktop