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Intel Core i5-8500

Intel Core i5-8500 in 2025: Is It Worth Buying? Comprehensive Review of the Processor

Introduction

Despite being released in 2018, the Intel Core i5-8500 remains a popular choice for budget builds in 2025. This processor offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks at a reasonable price. But how relevant is it now? Let’s explore the details.

1. Key Specifications: Coffee Lake in 2025

Architecture and Process Technology

The Core i5-8500 is built on the Coffee Lake architecture (14 nm), which is considered outdated in 2025. However, it is adequate for basic tasks.

- 6 cores / 6 threads: The lack of Hyper-Threading limits multitasking, but it's enough for gaming and office applications.

- Base clock speed of 3.0 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz: Good for single-threaded tasks.

- 9 MB L3 cache: Speeds up the processing of frequently used data.

- Intel UHD Graphics 630: Integrated graphics suitable for 4K video and less demanding games (e.g., CS:GO or Dota 2 on low settings).

Performance

- Geekbench 6: 1386 (Single-Core), 4849 (Multi-Core).

For comparison, the modern Ryzen 5 5500 (2022) scores around ~1600/6000 points. There is a gap, but the i5-8500 is still relevant for basic tasks.

Key Features

- Energy Efficiency: TDP of 65W — does not require powerful cooling.

- Support for Optane Memory: Speeds up operation with HDDs (relevant for budget builds without SSDs).

2. Compatible Motherboards: What to Choose in 2025?

Socket and Chipsets

- LGA 1151-v2 Socket: Important not to confuse it with the first version of LGA 1151 (for 6th and 7th generation).

- Chipsets:

- B360 / H370: Budget options with support for USB 3.1 and DDR4-2666.

- Z370 / Z390: For overclocking (but the i5-8500 itself is not unlocked).

Choosing Tips

- Examples of motherboards:

- ASUS Prime B360M-A ($75–90): A balance of price and quality.

- Gigabyte Z390 UD ($110–130): If planning to upgrade to an i9-9900K.

- Check the BIOS: Many motherboards require a firmware update to work with the 8th generation.

3. Memory: DDR4 and Limitations

- Type: Only DDR4 (up to 2666 MHz). DDR5 and LPDDR4x are not supported.

- Modes: Dual-channel is mandatory to unlock potential.

- Maximum Volume: 64 GB (but 16 GB is enough for an office PC).

Tip: 2x8 GB DDR4-2666 kits (e.g., Kingston Fury) can be found for $50–70.

4. Power Supply: Power Consumption Calculation

- Power: The processor itself consumes up to 65W, but considering the graphics card:

- Integrated Graphics: PSU from 300–400W (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10, $45).

- Discrete GPU (NVIDIA GTX 1660): PSU from 450–550W (Cooler Master MWE Bronze V2, $60–70).

Important: Don’t skimp on the PSU — unstable power will shorten the lifespan of components.

5. Pros and Cons: Weighing the Decision

Pros

- Price: A new processor costs $150–180 (comparables like Ryzen 5 5500 start from $200).

- Power Consumption: Suitable for compact builds (Mini-ITX).

- Reliability: A proven architecture with minimal “teething issues”.

Cons

- No Hyper-Threading: Falls behind in multi-threading compared to Ryzen 5 2600 (6/12).

- Outdated Process Technology: 14 nm vs. AMD's 7 nm.

- Limited Upgrade Options: LGA 1151-v2 socket is no longer supported by Intel.

6. Use Cases: What Is the i5-8500 Suitable For?

Office and Multimedia

- Document work, browser (20+ tabs), streaming video (Netflix 4K).

- Editing in Sony Vegas (1080p, but rendering will be slow).

Gaming

- With integrated graphics: League of Legends (60 FPS), GTA V (720p, low settings).

- With discrete graphics card: For example, RTX 3050 — Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings (1080p, 45–50 FPS).

Work Tasks

- Photoshop, Lightroom — comfortable.

- Virtualization (VMware) — limited due to 6 threads.

7. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6/12)

- Pros: 12 threads, unlocked multiplier.

- Cons: Lower clock speeds (3.4–3.9 GHz), no integrated graphics.

- Price: $130–160 (used — from $80).

Intel Core i3-12100F (4/8)

- Pros: New Alder Lake architecture (10 nm), higher IPC.

- Cons: Only 4 cores.

- Price: $100–120.

Conclusion: The i5-8500 wins over the Ryzen 2600 in single-threaded tasks but loses in multi-threading.

8. Practical Tips for Building

Complete Set

- Motherboard: ASUS Prime B360M-A + i5-8500 = $220–250.

- RAM: 16 GB DDR4-2666 — $50–70.

- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD (WD Blue SN570 — $45).

- Case: Deepcool MATREXX 40 — $50.

Cooling

- The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, consider the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ($25).

9. Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i5-8500?

This processor is worth choosing if:

- Budget up to $500: A build for office work, study, or home theater.

- Reliability is a priority: Coffee Lake has been proven over the years.

- Planning to use a discrete graphics card: For example, for gaming at 1080p.

Do not buy the i5-8500 if:

- You are involved in 3D rendering or streaming.

- You want a system that will last 5–7 years into the future.

In 2025, the Intel Core i5-8500 is a rational choice for those seeking a balance of price and performance without excesses.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

February 2018

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-8500

Code Name

Coffee Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

3.00 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

4.10 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

4.10 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

L3 Cache

9 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1151

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

65 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-2666

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

128 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

41.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Intel® UHD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@24Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

9 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Boot Guard

Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1386

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

4849

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1019

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

4657

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2467

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

9578

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i9-10920X X-series

1487 +7.3%

Xeon Gold 5315Y

1434 +3.5%

Core i5-8500

1386

Pentium Gold 7505

1353 -2.4%

Xeon E5-1660 v3

1310 -5.5%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Ryzen 7 2700

5454 +12.5%

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

5124 +5.7%

Core i5-8500

4849

Ryzen 5 1600

4567 -5.8%

Xeon E3-1270L v4

4271 -11.9%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i5-1145GRE

1064 +4.4%

EPYC 7443

1040 +2.1%

Core i5-8500

1019

Core i5-8500B

999 -2%

Core i5-6685R

971 -4.7%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i5-1245UL

5099 +9.5%

Xeon Silver 4210

4862 +4.4%

Core i5-8500

4657

Core i7-990X

4410 -5.3%

Core i7-3930K

4184 -10.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i7-9700E

2553 +3.5%

Ryzen 7 4750U

2517 +2%

Core i5-8500

2467

Ryzen 3 7320C

2436 -1.3%

Core i7-1068NG7

2402 -2.6%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i3-1210U

10513 +9.8%

Xeon D-1540

10061 +5%

Core i5-8500

9578

Xeon E5-2620 v4

9162 -4.3%

Xeon E3-1240 v6

8714 -9%