Core i5-5300U vs Core i5-8210Y

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 i5-5300U vs Core i5-8210Y 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 i5-5300U vs Core i5-8210Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-5300U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,709 vs 2,723).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌7214.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 7W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8210Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-8210Y

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 7W instead of 512W, a 505W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 617, while Core i5-5300U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8210Y better than Core i5-5300U?

Yes. Core i5-8210Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Core i5-8210Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8210Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-8210Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8210Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8210Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), 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 i5-5300U vs Core i5-8210Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5300U

The Core i5-5300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,709 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-8210Y

The Core i5-8210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,723 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-5300U and Core i5-8210Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5300U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-8210Y — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8210Y (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-5300U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8210Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5300U scores 2,709 against the Core i5-8210Y's 2,723 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-8210Y. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5300U vs 4 MB on the Core i5-8210Y.

Feature	Core i5-5300U	Core i5-8210Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+44%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,709	2,723
Geekbench 6 Single	—	796

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5300U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8210Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5300U	Core i5-8210Y
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-5300U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8210Y). The Core i5-8210Y includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 617), while the Core i5-5300U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-8210Y rivals Athlon 3050U.