Core i5-8350U vs Core i7-4850HQ

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 i5-8350U vs Core i7-4850HQ 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 i5-8350U vs Core i7-4850HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8350U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 47W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,102 vs 6,139).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4850HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8350U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8350U better than Core i7-4850HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8350U is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4850HQ pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-4850HQ 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 i7-4850HQ 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 i5-8350U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8350U vs Core i7-4850HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8350U

The Core i5-8350U 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 6,102 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-4850HQ

The Core i7-4850HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,139 points. Launch price was $468.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8350U and Core i7-4850HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8350U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4850HQ — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-8350U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8350U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4850HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8350U scores 6,102 against the Core i7-4850HQ's 6,139 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-4850HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8350U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4850HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8350U	Core i7-4850HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.3 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,102	6,139

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8350U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4850HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.