Core i5-9300H vs Core i7-4950HQ

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 i5-9300H vs Core i7-4950HQ 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 i5-9300H vs Core i7-4950HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9300H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-9300H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,317 vs 4,729).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-9300H better than Core i7-4950HQ?

Yes. Core i5-9300H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 42.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.4% higher 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 i5-9300H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.9% 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 i5-9300H is the stronger fit. You are getting 42.6% 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 i5-9300H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-9300H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% 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 2013) 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 i5-9300H vs Core i7-4950HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-4950HQ

The Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,405 points. Launch price was $657.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9300H and Core i7-4950HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300H versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i5-9300H (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-9300H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9300H scores 7,438 against the Core i7-4950HQ's 7,405 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-9300H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,729 vs 3,317 (35.1% advantage for the Core i5-9300H). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,050 vs 842, a 22% lead for the Core i5-9300H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,700 vs 3,317 (10.9% advantage for the Core i5-9300H). L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i5-9300H vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4950HQ.

Feature	Core i5-9300H	Core i7-4950HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+14%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,438	7,405
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,729+43%	3,317
Geekbench 6 Single	1,050+25%	842
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,700+12%	3,317

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9300H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9300H versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4950HQ — the Core i5-9300H supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-9300H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM370 (Core i5-9300H) and HM87,QM87 (Core i7-4950HQ).

Feature	Core i5-9300H	Core i7-4950HQ
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+67%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-9300H) vs Yes (Core i7-4950HQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-9300H) and Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (Core i7-4950HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9300H targets Gaming Laptop.

Feature	Core i5-9300H	Core i7-4950HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Iris Pro Graphics 5200
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Laptop	—