Core i5-9300HF vs Core i7-6920HQ

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 i5-9300HF vs Core i7-6920HQ 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 i5-9300HF vs Core i7-6920HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-9300HF

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,255 vs 7,269).

Core i7-6920HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6920HQ better than Core i5-9300HF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-9300HF is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6920HQ pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6920HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6920HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6920HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-9300HF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-9300HF vs Core i7-6920HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-9300HF

The Core i5-9300HF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 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: 7,255 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-6920HQ

The Core i7-6920HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,269 points. Launch price was $568.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9300HF and Core i7-6920HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300HF versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6920HQ — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-9300HF (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-9300HF uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6920HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9300HF scores 7,255 against the Core i7-6920HQ's 7,269 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-6920HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Core i7-6920HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+8%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	7,255	7,269
Geekbench 6 Single	1,288	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Core i7-6920HQ
Socket	BGA1440	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: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9300HF) / not specified (Core i7-6920HQ). Primary use case: Core i5-9300HF targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9300HF rivals Ryzen 5 3550H.