Core i7-8550U vs FX-8370

Core i7-8550U vs FX-8370 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-8550U

4 / 8

6,118

0.0%

6,184

+1.1%

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 i7-8550U vs FX-8370 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 i7-8550U vs FX-8370: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8550U

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 125W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,118 vs 6,184).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8370.

FX-8370

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i7-8550U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-8550U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌733.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8370 better than Core i7-8550U?

Yes. FX-8370 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8370 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-8370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-8370 is the better buy right now. FX-8370 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-8550U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8550U vs FX-8370 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8550U

The Core i7-8550U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 6,118 points. Launch price was $409.

FX-8370

The FX-8370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8550U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8370 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-8550U versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 — a 7.2% clock advantage for the FX-8370 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-8550U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8370 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8550U scores 6,118 against the FX-8370's 6,184 — a 1.1% lead for the FX-8370.

Feature	Core i7-8550U	FX-8370
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.3 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	4 GHz+122%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	6,118	6,184+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,800
Geekbench 6 Single	—	520
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,050

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8550U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8370 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8550U	FX-8370
Socket	BGA1356	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8550U) / AMD-V (FX-8370). Primary use case: FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming. Direct competitor: FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400.