Core i5-8500B vs Processor U300

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 i5-8500B vs Processor U300 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 i5-8500B vs Processor U300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Processor U300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Processor U300 moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Processor U300

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,897 vs 8,900).
❌
0.5% HIGHER MSRP
$193 MSRPvs$192 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor U300 better than Core i5-8500B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Processor U300 is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Processor U300 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Processor U300 comes in 0.5% more expensive on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Processor U300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-8500B vs Processor U300 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500B

The Core i5-8500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,900 points. Launch price was $192.

Processor U300

The Processor U300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,897 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Processor U300 offers 5 cores / 6 threads — the Core i5-8500B has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B versus 4.4 GHz on the Processor U300 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Processor U300 (base: 3 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Processor U300 uses Raptor Lake-U (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Processor U300's 8,897 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-8500B. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 8 MB (total) on the Processor U300.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Processor U300
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+20%	5 / 6
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3 GHz+150%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+13%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Raptor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	8,900	8,897
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor U300 uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Processor U300
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
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 i5-8500B) / not specified (Processor U300). The Core i5-8500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Processor U300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Processor U300
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mini PC/Embedded	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500B was priced at $192, while the Processor U300 came in at $193. On launch pricing ($192 vs $193), Core i5-8500B was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 46.1 pts/$ for the Processor U300 — making the Core i5-8500B the 0.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Processor U300
MSRP	$192	$193
Performance per Dollar	46.4	46.1
Release Date	2018	2023

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