Core i5-8500T vs Ryzen 5 3550H

Core i5-8500T vs Ryzen 5 3550H Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8500T

6 / 6

7,730

+0.4%

7,696

0.0%

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

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 i5-8500T vs Ryzen 5 3550H 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 i5-8500T vs Ryzen 5 3550H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 3550H needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3550H.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3550H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 3550H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Ryzen 5 3550H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,696 vs 7,730).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8500T better than Ryzen 5 3550H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3550H is ahead with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-8500T also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-8500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-8500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3550H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3550H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500T vs Ryzen 5 3550H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500T

The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.

Ryzen 5 3550H

The Ryzen 5 3550H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,696 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3550H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3550H — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3550H (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3550H uses Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Ryzen 5 3550H's 7,696 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-8500T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3550H.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Ryzen 5 3550H
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+125%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
PassMark	7,730	7,696
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3550H uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Ryzen 5 3550H
Socket	LGA1151	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500T) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3550H). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3550H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.