Core i5-8300H vs Core i7-8557U

Intel

Core i5-8300H

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 4 GHz2018
VS
Intel

Core i7-8557U

4 Cores8 Thrd1 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2019

Core i5-8300H vs Core i7-8557U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-8300H vs Core i7-8557U 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 i5-8300H vs Core i7-8557U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8300H

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-8557U

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (7,309 vs 7,369).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8557U better than Core i5-8300H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8557U is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8300H pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.
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 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8557U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8557U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-8557U 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 i5-8300H vs Core i7-8557U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2018βˆ’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.

Intel

Core i7-8557U

The Core i7-8557U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 7,309 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8300H and Core i7-8557U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8300H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8557U β€” a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-8557U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-8300H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018βˆ’2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8557U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018βˆ’2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8300H scores 7,369 against the Core i7-8557U's 7,309 β€” a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-8300H. Both processors carry 8 MB of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-8300HCore i7-8557U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz+35%
1.7 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-H (2018βˆ’2019)
Coffee Lake-U (2018βˆ’2019)
PassMark
7,369
7,309
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8300H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8557U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-8300HCore i7-8557U
Socket
BGA1440
FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0