Core i5-8279U vs Core i7-7820EQ

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 i5-8279U vs Core i7-7820EQ 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 i5-8279U vs Core i7-7820EQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8279U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,464 vs 7,470).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-7820EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8279U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i5-8279U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8279U better than Core i7-7820EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8279U is ahead with a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820EQ pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-7820EQ 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 i7-7820EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% 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 i5-8279U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8279U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-7820EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Core i5-8279U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8279U vs Core i7-7820EQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8279U

The Core i5-8279U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,464 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-7820EQ

The Core i7-7820EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,470 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8279U and Core i7-7820EQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8279U versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-7820EQ — a 27.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-8279U. The Core i5-8279U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7820EQ uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8279U scores 7,464 against the Core i7-7820EQ's 7,470 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-7820EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8279U vs 8 MB on the Core i7-7820EQ.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Core i7-7820EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+32%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	7,464	7,470