Intel Core i5-8250U

Intel Core i5-8250U in 2025: Is it Worth Buying a Laptop with This Processor?

Despite being released back in 2017, laptops with the Intel Core i5-8250U processor are still available on the market, particularly in the budget segment. In 2025, it seems outdated compared to chips using a 7nm process and hybrid architectures, but it can still handle basic tasks. Let's explore who this CPU is suitable for today and what pitfalls to consider.

Architecture and Process Technology: Why 14nm Is Not a Death Sentence

Code Name and Generation

This processor belongs to the 8th generation of Intel Core (Kaby Lake Refresh). It's not a revolutionary update but rather an evolutionary improvement over the original Kaby Lake architecture. The main change is the increase in the number of cores: instead of a 2-core configuration, the i5-8250U uses 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading support (8 threads). This was an important step for mobile processors at a time when multithreading became critical even for office tasks.

14nm Process Technology: Pros and Cons

By 2025, the 14nm technology seems ancient — modern Intel and AMD chips use 5–7nm, while Apple has moved to 3nm. However, at its time, this was a compromise between performance and energy efficiency. Due to larger transistor size, the CPU heats up more, but it’s cheaper to produce. This explains why laptops with the i5-8250U are still priced between $500–700.

Frequencies and Cache

- Base frequency: 1.6 GHz

- Maximum turbo frequency: 3.4 GHz

- L3 Cache: 6 MB

The low base frequency is related to TDP limitations (15W) — the processor is designed for energy efficiency. Turbo mode allows for a temporary boost to 3.4 GHz, but under sustained load (like video rendering), the frequency drops to 2–2.5 GHz due to overheating.

Integrated Graphics

The built-in GPU is Intel UHD Graphics 620. This is typical graphics for budget laptops from 2018–2020:

- Supports 4K@60Hz through HDMI/DisplayPort;

- Decodes video formats H.265 and VP9;

- Modest gaming performance: only light projects like CS:GO or Dota 2 at low settings (30–40 FPS).

For modern games or work in Premiere Pro, it’s insufficient — a discrete graphics card is necessary.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Power and Battery Life

A TDP of 15W is a hallmark of ultrabooks. This means the processor is designed for use in thin chassis with passive or modest active cooling. However, there’s a downside:

- Under full-core load (like running a virtual machine), temperatures can reach 90–95°C, leading to throttling.

- In compact laptops (like the ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331UN), the fan often gets noisy even under moderate load.

For comparison, modern AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processors (6nm, Zen 3) offer 30% more performance under the same 15W TDP.

Real-World Performance: What Can the i5-8250U Do in 2025?

Office Work and Multitasking

The processor handles typical tasks:

- Browser work with 10–15 tabs + office applications;

- Video calls in Zoom (with background and effects enabled);

- Watching 4K videos on YouTube.

However, when running Photoshop and Excel simultaneously, there may be lags. Test results:

- Geekbench 6 Single Core: 1191 (for comparison: Ryzen 5 5500U — 1432);

- Geekbench 6 Multi Core: 3252 (Ryzen 5 5500U — 5670).

Multimedia

- Converting a 10-minute video in HandBrake (1080p → 720p): ~12–15 minutes;

- Photo editing in Lightroom: processing RAW files is acceptable but with delays when applying filters.

For professional editing, it's better to choose a laptop with Ryzen 7 or Intel 12th generation.

Gaming

The integrated UHD 620 graphics is a weak point. Examples of FPS (resolution 1920×1080, low settings):

- CS:GO: 35–45 FPS;

- GTA V: 20–25 FPS;

- Fortnite: 15–20 FPS.

For gaming, look for models with discrete MX150 or MX250 graphics cards (like Acer Swift 3), but even they won't handle modern AAA titles.

Turbo Mode: How Long Does the Boost Last?

In ideal conditions (cold laptop, powerful cooling system), the processor can maintain 3.4 GHz for 2–3 minutes. In reality, frequencies stabilize at 2.3–2.7 GHz under sustained load. This is important to consider when choosing a laptop: in compact models (like the HP Pavilion 13), throttling starts sooner than in devices with better cooling (like the Dell Inspiron 15 5000).

Usage Scenarios: Who Is the i5-8250U Suitable For in 2025?

1. Students — for studying, writing papers, and working with Google Docs.

2. Office Workers — basic tasks in Microsoft Office, email, video conferences.

3. Casual Users — browsing social media, YouTube, online shopping.

Who It’s Not Suitable For:

- Gamers — a discrete graphics card like GTX 1650 and above is required;

- Designers and video editors — insufficient power for rendering;

- Programmers working with Docker or virtual machines — 4 cores are not enough for parallel tasks.

Battery Life: How Long Will the Laptop Last?

With a battery capacity of 50 Wh (standard for ultrabooks), the runtime varies:

- Web browsing: 6–8 hours;

- Video (local, 50% brightness): 9–10 hours;

- Load (Photoshop + browser): 3–4 hours.

Energy-saving technologies:

- Speed Shift — dynamic frequency management;

- Adaptix Thermal Framework — optimizing cooling performance;

- Panel Self Refresh — reducing screen power consumption.

Tip: Choose laptops with low-brightness IPS screens (250 nits) — they save battery better than bright OLED panels.

Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD Ryzen 5 2500U (2018) — a similar 4-core CPU, but with more powerful Vega 8 graphics. In 2025, both processors are outdated, but the Ryzen handles games better.

2. Apple M1 (2020) — a revolutionary chip with 8 cores and a 5nm process. Even the base MacBook Air model with M1 outperforms the i5-8250U in multithreading by 3 times.

3. Intel Core i5-1135G7 (2020) — a 10nm processor with Iris Xe graphics. Offers better performance in single-threaded tasks (+25%) and supports Thunderbolt 4.

Conclusion: The i5-8250U lags behind modern counterparts but wins on price. New laptops with it cost $500–700, while devices with the Ryzen 5 7530U start at $800.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Sufficient cores for multitasking;

- Low power consumption;

- Affordable price.

Weaknesses:

- Outdated 14nm process technology;

- Weak integrated graphics;

- Throttling under load.

Laptop Selection Recommendations

1. Device Type: Only ultrabooks or budget laptops (like Lenovo IdeaPad 3).

2. Cooling: Choose models with dual fans (like ASUS VivoBook S15).

3. Screen: Full HD (1920×1080) — less load on the CPU compared to 4K.

4. SSD and RAM: At least 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD.

Examples of 2025 models:

- Acer Aspire 5 (i5-8250U, 8GB, 512GB SSD) — $550;

- HP 14-dk1000 (i5-8250U, MX150, 12GB RAM) — $650.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-8250U in 2025 is a choice for those looking for the most affordable laptop for basic tasks. It’s suitable for:

- Study and document work;

- Watching movies and engaging on social media;

- Users not willing to overpay for modern processors.

However, if the budget allows for $800–1000, it's better to opt for a device with the Ryzen 5 7530U or Intel Core i5-1235U — they will last longer and provide better performance.