Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-9850HL

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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-9850HL 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 i5-8259U vs Core i7-9850HL: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8259U

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850HL across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,843 vs 7,897).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HL can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850HL

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 28W, a 3W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-8259U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850HL better than Core i5-8259U?

Yes. Core i7-9850HL is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 i7-9850HL is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.5% 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 i7-9850HL is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-9850HL still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-9850HL comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-9850HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8259U vs Core i7-9850HL Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8259U

The Core i5-8259U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,843 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-9850HL

The Core i7-9850HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,897 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8259U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9850HL offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9850HL has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-8259U versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-9850HL — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850HL (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9850HL uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8259U scores 7,843 against the Core i7-9850HL's 7,897 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-9850HL. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8259U vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HL.

Feature	Core i5-8259U	Core i7-9850HL
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+21%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	9 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	7,843	7,897

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8259U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HL uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.