Core i5-8257U vs Core i5-8400H

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 i5-8257U vs Core i5-8400H 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 i5-8257U vs Core i5-8400H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8257U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,017 vs 4,657).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i5-8400H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400H better than Core i5-8257U?

Yes. Core i5-8400H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.4% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8400H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.2% 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 i5-8400H is the stronger fit. You are getting 15.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-8400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8257U vs Core i5-8400H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8257U

The Core i5-8257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,427 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-8400H

The Core i5-8400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 7,456 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8257U and Core i5-8400H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8257U versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-8257U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8400H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8257U scores 7,427 against the Core i5-8400H's 7,456 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-8400H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,017 vs 4,657 (14.8% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 1,493, a 30.3% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,000 vs 4,963 (21.5% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-8257U vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H.

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i5-8400H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+79%
L3 Cache	6 MB	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,427	7,456
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,017	4,657+16%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	1,493+36%
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,000	4,963+24%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8257U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8400H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8257U versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i5-8400H — the Core i5-8400H supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-8400H supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 300 Series (Core i5-8257U) and Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H).

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i5-8400H
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4 2666 MHz+11%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8257U) vs true (Core i5-8400H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 (Core i5-8257U) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8257U targets Ultrabook, Core i5-8400H targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i5-8400H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Ultrabook	Mobile