
Core i5-4300M vs Core i5-4308U

Core i5-4300M

Core i5-4308U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-4300M is positioned at rank 1017 and the Core i5-4308U is on rank 700, so the Core i5-4308U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4300M
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4308U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4300M | Core i5-4308U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($227) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4300M | Core i5-4308U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($227) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4300M and Core i5-4308U

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.
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 |
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 | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 12 |
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.
| Feature | Core i5-4300M | Core i5-4308U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Iris Graphics 5100 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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