Core i5-1038NG7 vs Processor U300

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 i5-1038NG7 vs Processor U300 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 i5-1038NG7 vs Processor U300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics G7, while Processor U300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,823 vs 8,897).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on FCBGA1344 with DDR4, while Processor U300 moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Processor U300

2023

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1344 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $193 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1038NG7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor U300 better than Core i5-1038NG7?

Yes. Processor U300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Processor U300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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, Processor U300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 5 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Processor U300 is the better buy right now. Processor U300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $193 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (46.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Processor U300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1344, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 5 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Processor U300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

Processor U300

The Processor U300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,897 points. Launch price was $193.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-1038NG7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Processor U300 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Processor U300 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 4.4 GHz on the Processor U300 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Processor U300 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Processor U300 uses Raptor Lake-U (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Processor U300's 8,897 — a 0.8% lead for the Processor U300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 8 MB (total) on the Processor U300.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Processor U300
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	5 / 6+25%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2 GHz+67%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	10 nm	10 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)	Raptor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	8,823	8,897
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor U300 uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Processor U300
Socket	FCBGA1344	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1038NG7) / not specified (Processor U300). The Core i5-1038NG7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics G7), while the Processor U300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.