Core i5-10400H vs Core i7-8559U

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 i5-10400H vs Core i7-8559U 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 i5-10400H vs Core i7-8559U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10400H

2020

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 i7-8559U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,246 vs 8,274).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Core i5-10400H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-10400H is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8559U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-8559U also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8559U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 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?

Core i7-8559U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-10400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400H vs Core i7-8559U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10400H

The Core i5-10400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,246 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400H and Core i7-8559U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-10400H uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8559U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400H scores 8,246 against the Core i7-8559U's 8,274 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8559U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8559U.

Feature	Core i5-10400H	Core i7-8559U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-H (2020)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	8,246	8,274
Geekbench 6 Single	1,391	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8559U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400H	Core i7-8559U
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400H) / not specified (Core i7-8559U). The Core i5-10400H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8559U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.