Core i5-4300M vs Core i5-4308U

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 i5-4300M vs Core i5-4308U 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 i5-4300M vs Core i5-4308U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4300M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,960 vs 2,978).
❌Launch MSRP is still $227 MSRP, while Core i5-4308U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4308U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-4308U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 5100, while Core i5-4300M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4300M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4308U better than Core i5-4300M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4300M is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4308U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4308U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4308U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4308U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $227 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-4300M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i5-4308U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4300M vs Core i5-4308U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4300M

The Core i5-4300M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,960 points. Launch price was $227.

Core i5-4308U

The Core i5-4308U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,978 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4300M and Core i5-4308U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300M versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4308U — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-4300M scores 2,960 against the Core i5-4308U's 2,978 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-4308U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4300M vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4308U.

Feature	Core i5-4300M	Core i5-4308U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,960	2,978

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4300M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4308U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4300M	Core i5-4308U
Socket	PGA946	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4300M) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4308U). The Core i5-4308U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 5100), while the Core i5-4300M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4308U targets Mobile.