Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-6350HQ

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.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-6350HQ 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.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-6350HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-8109U

2018

Why buy it

✅+37% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,184 vs 4,255).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-6350HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (803 vs 1,100).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8109U better than Core i5-6350HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-8109U is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6350HQ pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Core i5-6350HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6350HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i3-8109U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-8109U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-8109U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-8109U vs Core i5-6350HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-8109U

The Core i3-8109U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,184 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i5-6350HQ

The Core i5-6350HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,255 points. Launch price was $306.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-8109U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6350HQ offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-6350HQ has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-8109U versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6350HQ — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-8109U (base: 3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i3-8109U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-8109U scores 4,184 against the Core i5-6350HQ's 4,255 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-6350HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 803, a 31.2% lead for the Core i3-8109U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8109U vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6350HQ.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-6350HQ
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+30%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,184	4,255+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+37%	803

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-8109U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6350HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8109U versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6350HQ — the Core i3-8109U supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6350HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-6350HQ
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 655 (Core i3-8109U) and Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i5-6350HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-8109U targets Performance Laptop, Core i5-6350HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-8109U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i5-6350HQ rivals FX-9830P.

Feature	Core i3-8109U	Core i5-6350HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 655	Iris Pro Graphics 580
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Performance Laptop	High Performance Laptop