Microsoft SQ1 vs Pentium Gold 8500

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.

Microsoft SQ1 vs Pentium Gold 8500 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.

Microsoft SQ1 vs Pentium Gold 8500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Microsoft SQ1

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 8500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 8500

2022

Why buy it

✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Microsoft SQ1 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,949 vs 6,039).

Quick Answers

So, is Microsoft SQ1 better than Pentium Gold 8500?

Yes. Microsoft SQ1 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Microsoft SQ1 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% 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, Microsoft SQ1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Microsoft SQ1 is the better buy right now. Microsoft SQ1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of the older platform, and 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB). That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Microsoft SQ1 vs Pentium Gold 8500 Technical Specifications

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

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

Pentium Gold 8500

The Pentium Gold 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 29 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 5,949 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Microsoft SQ1 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold 8500 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 versus 4.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 8500 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 8500. The Microsoft SQ1 is built on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Microsoft SQ1 scores 6,039 against the Pentium Gold 8500's 5,949 — a 1.5% lead for the Microsoft SQ1. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1 vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold 8500.

Feature	Microsoft SQ1	Pentium Gold 8500
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+60%	5 / 6
Boost Clock	3 GHz	4.4 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	2 MB	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+300%
Process	7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)	—
PassMark	6,039+2%	5,949