Core i5-8500 vs Core i7-7740X
Core i5-8500
Core i7-7740X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7740X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-X (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+84%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8500 and Core i7-7740X
Core i5-8500
The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.
Core i7-7740X
The Core i7-7740X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,678 points. Launch price was $339.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-7740X offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7740X — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-7740X (base: 3 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i5-8500 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7740X uses Kaby Lake-X (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Core i7-7740X's 9,678 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-7740X. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7740X.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 4.3 GHz+43% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+13% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) | Kaby Lake-X (2017) |
| PassMark | 9,521 | 9,678+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7740X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8500) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7740X). Primary use case: Core i7-7740X targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-8500 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i7-7740X debuted at $339. At current prices ($80 vs $150), the Core i5-8500 is $70 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500 delivers 119.0 pts/$ vs 64.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-7740X — making the Core i5-8500 the 59.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7740X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-43% | $339 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-47% | $150 |
| Performance per Dollar | 119.0+84% | 64.5 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2017 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-8500 and Core i7-7740X
