Core i5-8279U vs Core i5-9300H

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 i5-8279U vs Core i5-9300H 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 i5-8279U vs Core i5-9300H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8279U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9300H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-9300H

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-8279U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8279U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,438 vs 7,464).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8279U better than Core i5-9300H?

Yes. Core i5-8279U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 i5-8279U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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 i5-8279U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8279U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8279U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-8279U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-8279U vs Core i5-9300H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8279U

The Core i5-8279U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 7,464 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i5-9300H

The Core i5-9300H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,438 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8279U and Core i5-9300H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8279U versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300H — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8279U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-9300H uses Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8279U scores 7,464 against the Core i5-9300H's 7,438 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8279U. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8279U vs 8 MB on the Core i5-9300H.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Core i5-9300H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,464	7,438
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,729
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,050
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,700

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8279U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-9300H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8279U	Core i5-9300H
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8279U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9300H). The Core i5-9300H includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-8279U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9300H targets Gaming Laptop.