Core i5-9300HF vs Core i7-8557U

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 i7-8557U 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 i5-9300HF 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 i5-9300HF

2019

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8557U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,255 vs 7,309).

Core i7-8557U

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8557U better than Core i5-9300HF?

Yes. Core i7-8557U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better 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 i7-8557U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 i7-8557U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% 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 4.1% 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 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 i5-9300HF vs Core i7-8557U 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 i7-8557U

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 (2018−2019) 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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-9300HF and Core i7-8557U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-9300HF versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8557U — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8557U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-9300HF uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8557U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9300HF scores 7,255 against the Core i7-8557U's 7,309 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-8557U. Both processors carry 8 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Core i7-8557U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.5 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+41%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	7,255	7,309
Geekbench 6 Single	1,288	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-9300HF uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8557U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-9300HF	Core i7-8557U
Socket	BGA1440	FCBGA1528
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 i7-8557U). Primary use case: Core i5-9300HF targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9300HF rivals Ryzen 5 3550H.