Core i5-1240U vs Core i9-9880H

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 i5-1240U vs Core i9-9880H 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 i5-1240U vs Core i9-9880H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 10W instead of 45W, a 36W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i9-9880H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9880H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,387 vs 13,531).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-9880H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌373.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 9.5W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-1240U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9880H better than Core i5-1240U?

Yes. Core i9-9880H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9880H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 i9-9880H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-9880H still makes the most sense overall. Core i9-9880H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-1240U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240U vs Core i9-9880H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1240U

The Core i5-1240U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i9-9880H

The Core i9-9880H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 13,531 points. Launch price was $556.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1240U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9880H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1240U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-9880H — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-9880H (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-1240U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9880H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240U scores 13,387 against the Core i9-9880H's 13,531 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-9880H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240U vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9880H.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i9-9880H
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+109%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	13,387	13,531+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,650	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9880H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i9-9880H
Socket	FCBGA1781	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	14	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U) / not specified (Core i9-9880H). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i9-9880H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.