Core i5-8260U vs Core i5-8300H

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 i5-8260U vs Core i5-8300H 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 i5-8260U vs Core i5-8300H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8260U

2019

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8300H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,316 vs 7,369).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i5-8300H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8300H better than Core i5-8260U?

Yes. Core i5-8300H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8300H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.0% 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 i5-8300H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-8300H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8300H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8260U 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 i5-8260U vs Core i5-8300H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8260U

The Core i5-8260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 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: 7,316 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i5-8300H

The Core i5-8300H 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. 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: 7,369 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8260U and Core i5-8300H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8260U versus 4 GHz on the Core i5-8300H — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8300H (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-8260U uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8300H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8260U scores 7,316 against the Core i5-8300H's 7,369 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8300H. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-8260U vs 8 MB on the Core i5-8300H.

Feature	Core i5-8260U	Core i5-8300H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.3 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,316	7,369

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8260U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8300H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.