Core i5-8400H 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 i5-8400H 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 i5-8400H 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 i5-8400H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,657 vs 4,729).

Core i5-9300H

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-8400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8400H better than Core i5-9300H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-8400H is ahead with a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9300H pulls ahead with 1.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i5-8400H also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-9300H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-8400H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-9300H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) 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 i5-8400H vs Core i5-9300H Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400H

The Core i5-8400H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). 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: 7,456 points. Launch price was $250.

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 i5-8400H and Core i5-9300H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-8400H versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300H — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-8400H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-8400H scores 7,456 against the Core i5-9300H's 7,438 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-8400H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,657 vs 4,729 (1.5% advantage for the Core i5-9300H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,493 vs 1,050, a 34.8% lead for the Core i5-8400H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,963 vs 3,700 (29.2% advantage for the Core i5-8400H). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400H vs 8 MB on the Core i5-9300H.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i5-9300H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+2%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,456	7,438
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,657	4,729+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,493+42%	1,050
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,963+34%	3,700

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4 2666 MHz memory speed. The Core i5-9300H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM370,Intel QM370 (Core i5-8400H) and HM370 (Core i5-9300H).

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i5-9300H
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-8400H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9300H). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8400H) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9300H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400H targets Mobile, Core i5-9300H targets Gaming Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-8400H	Core i5-9300H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mobile	Gaming Laptop