Core i7-8565U vs FX-8350

Intel

Core i7-8565U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2018
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VS
AMD

FX-8350

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i7-8565U vs FX-8350 Performance Spectrum

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 i7-8565U vs FX-8350 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 i7-8565U vs FX-8350: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8565U

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 15W instead of 125W, a 110W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-8350

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,936 vs 5,976).
  • Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i7-8565U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 733.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8565U better than FX-8350?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8350 is ahead with a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8565U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8565U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8565U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8565U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. FX-8350 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-8565U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8565U vs FX-8350 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-8565U

The Core i7-8565U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,976 points. Launch price was $409.

AMD

FX-8350

The FX-8350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 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 4.2 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: 5,936 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8565U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8350 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8350 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8565U versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8350 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8565U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-8565U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8565U scores 5,976 against the FX-8350's 5,936 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-8565U.

FeatureCore i7-8565UFX-8350
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+10%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
4 GHz+122%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
8192 kB+3100%
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark
5,976
5,936
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8565U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8565UFX-8350
Socket
FCBGA1528
AM3+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0