Core i5-8265U vs Core i7-4800MQ

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 i5-8265U vs Core i7-4800MQ 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 i5-8265U vs Core i7-4800MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8265U

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 47W, a 32W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 620, while Core i7-4800MQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4800MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4800MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,773 vs 5,812).
❌Launch MSRP is still $380 MSRP, while Core i5-8265U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8265U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8265U better than Core i7-4800MQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4800MQ is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8265U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-4800MQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8265U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8265U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8265U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $380 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-4800MQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i5-8265U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8265U vs Core i7-4800MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8265U

The Core i5-8265U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) 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 (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,812 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-4800MQ

The Core i7-4800MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,773 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8265U and Core i7-4800MQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8265U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4800MQ — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8265U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-8265U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4800MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8265U scores 5,812 against the Core i7-4800MQ's 5,773 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-8265U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8265U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4800MQ.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i7-4800MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+69%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,812	5,773
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,500	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8265U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4800MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8265U	Core i7-4800MQ
Socket	FCBGA1528	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8265U) / not specified (Core i7-4800MQ). The Core i5-8265U includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-4800MQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8265U targets Mainstream Laptop.