Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs Core M-5Y10c

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core 2 Quad Q8300

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $102 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.7 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core M-5Y10c can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core M-5Y10c

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5300, while Core 2 Quad Q8300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,906 vs 1,917).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Core 2 Quad Q8300

2008

Core M-5Y10c

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $102 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.7 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5300, while Core 2 Quad Q8300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core M-5Y10c can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,906 vs 1,917).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Quad Q8300 better than Core M-5Y10c?

Yes. Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the better fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the smarter buy today. Core 2 Quad Q8300 is $102 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 57.9% better value on MSRP (10.7 vs 6.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core M-5Y10c is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 2 Quad Q8300 Benchmark Check

Core M-5Y10c Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
1080p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
1440p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
4K
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	42 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	33 FPS	33 FPS

Open Core 2 Quad Q8300 Open Core M-5Y10c

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
1080p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	38 FPS
4K
low	48 FPS	41 FPS
medium	48 FPS	37 FPS
high	48 FPS	27 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	19 FPS

Open Core 2 Quad Q8300 Open Core M-5Y10c

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
1080p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
1440p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
4K
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS

Open Core 2 Quad Q8300 Open Core M-5Y10c

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
1080p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
1440p
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS
4K
low	48 FPS	48 FPS
medium	48 FPS	48 FPS
high	48 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	48 FPS	48 FPS

Open Core 2 Quad Q8300 Open Core M-5Y10c

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q8300 and Core M-5Y10c

Core 2 Quad Q8300

The Core 2 Quad Q8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,917 points. Launch price was $249.

Core M-5Y10c

The Core M-5Y10c is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.8 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,906 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core M-5Y10c offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 versus 2 GHz on the Core M-5Y10c — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q8300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 0.8 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core M-5Y10c uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8300 scores 1,917 against the Core M-5Y10c's 1,906 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y10c.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+213%	0.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,917	1,906

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core M-5Y10c uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q8300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core M-5Y10c). The Core M-5Y10c includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5300), while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core M-5Y10c targets Mobile.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q8300	Core M-5Y10c
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 5300
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Quad Q8300 launched at $179 MSRP, while the Core M-5Y10c debuted at $281. On MSRP ($179 vs $281), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 is $102 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 6.8 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y10c — making the Core 2 Quad Q8300 the 44.9% better value option.