Core i3-9300 vs Core i5-8269U

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 i3-9300 vs Core i5-8269U 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 i3-9300 vs Core i5-8269U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-8269U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-8269U.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8269U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,105 vs 7,111).
❌Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while Core i5-8269U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌121.4% higher power demand at 62W vs 28W.

Core i5-8269U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 62W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8269U better than Core i3-9300?

Yes. Core i5-8269U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8269U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8269U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8269U is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8269U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,105 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Core i3-9300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i5-8269U Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i5-8269U

The Core i5-8269U 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 7,111 points. Launch price was $320.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i5-8269U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8269U — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8269U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Core i5-8269U's 7,111 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-8269U. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i5-8269U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+42%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,105	7,111
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8269U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i5-8269U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9300) / not specified (Core i5-8269U). The Core i3-9300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-8269U requires a dedicated GPU.