Core i5-8269U vs Core i7-5850EQ

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 i5-8269U vs Core i7-5850EQ 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 i5-8269U vs Core i7-5850EQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8269U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 47W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-5850EQ

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8269U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,036 vs 7,111).
❌Launch MSRP is still $435 MSRP, while Core i5-8269U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌67.9% higher power demand at 47W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8269U better than Core i7-5850EQ?

Yes. Core i5-8269U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 i5-8269U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.3% 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 i5-8269U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8269U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-8269U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $435 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-5850EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Core i5-8269U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) 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 i5-8269U vs Core i7-5850EQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8269U

The Core i5-8269U 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 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: 7,111 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-5850EQ

The Core i7-5850EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 7,036 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8269U and Core i7-5850EQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8269U versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-5850EQ — a 43.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8269U. The Core i5-8269U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5850EQ uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8269U scores 7,111 against the Core i7-5850EQ's 7,036 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-8269U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8269U vs 6 MB on the Core i7-5850EQ.

Feature	Core i5-8269U	Core i7-5850EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+56%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,111+1%	7,036