CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7500 vs Intel Core i5-8550
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-7500 is a mid-range desktop processor launched in early 2017 as a core component of the 7th Generation Kaby Lake family. Featuring four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, it operates at a base frequency of 3.4 GHz and can boost up to 3.8 GHz. Manufactured on Intel's 14nm process, it fits within a standard 65-watt TDP, ensuring broad compatibility with mainstream cooling solutions. The processor was a popular choice for budget gaming builds and office PCs, offering a slight frequency bump over the i5-7400. It integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, capable of hardware-accelerated 4K video decoding, and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MT/s. While it provides snappy single-thread performance for everyday applications, the lack of Hyper-Threading limits its capability in heavily multi-threaded modern workloads. Utilizing the LGA 1151 socket, the i5-7500 remains a viable option for upgrading older systems, though it is outclassed by newer architectures in both efficiency and core count.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for everyday office work but struggles with heavy rendering due to 4 threads.
Adequate for office tasks but slow for heavy rendering.
Gaming
Adequate for older games but bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
Struggles with modern gaming unless paired with a low-end GPU.
Virtualization
Limited by core count for running multiple VMs.
Limited by the lack of Hyper-Threading.
Efficiency
65W TDP offers a good balance of power and heat.
Excellent power efficiency for daily tasks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Inadequate for local AI model execution
- Not suitable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-intensive games
- Suitable for 60fps gaming with older mid-range GPUs
- Lacks the threads needed for modern AAA titles
- Low clock speeds limit performance
- Lacks HT for modern engines
- Only suitable for e-sports titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good single-thread performance
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding
- Solid choice for legacy budget gaming
- Affordable used
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Locked multiplier
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- No official Windows 11 support
- Outdated PCIe Gen 3
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Good for basic office tasks
- Includes integrated graphics
- Affordable on the used market
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- Low base clock
- End-of-life platform
- Limited multi-threading capability
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-7500
- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7400Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-7350KRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Desktop
Successor with 6 cores, offering much better modern gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Contemporary AMD alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
A cheap modern alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A vastly superior modern CPU for a similar price.
A modern budget CPU that outperforms it in every way.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-8550
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Budget Desktop
Slightly higher clock speeds on the same platform.
Compare head-to-headModern budget alternative with vastly better single-core speed.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Much better integrated graphics and modern platform.
Successor with marginally improved clocks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A step up from the i5-7400, offering better clocks, but the 4-core/4-thread limitation makes it obsolete for modern heavy multitasking and gaming.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a strict budget.
Read the full reviewA dependable 6-core CPU for basic computing, though its lack of Hyper-Threading and older architecture make it unsuitable for modern upgrades.
Best for: Cheap upgrade for an older LGA 1151 system
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-7500 or Intel Core i5-8550?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8550 comes out ahead with a score of 6.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-7500 or Intel Core i5-8550?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-7500 leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i5-7500 and Intel Core i5-8550.
Do Intel Core i5-7500 and Intel Core i5-8550 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-7500: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core i5-8550: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-8550 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-7500 (4 cores), Intel Core i5-8550 (6 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-7500 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-7500 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.