Intel Core i5-10300H vs Intel Core i5-8350U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-10300H and Intel Core i5-8350U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, but they serve entirely different purposes. The data shows a clean sweep: the i5-10300H wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 20.1% to 47%. The verdict is straightforward: the i5-10300H is a high-performance part for heavy workloads, while the i5-8350U is a low-power chip for efficient, everyday computing. Neither chip is a bad choice; they are simply optimized for opposite ends of the laptop spectrum.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Core i5-10300H if your priority is raw performance. Benchmark results indicate it is decisively faster in every single measured category. Its wins are not marginal; the data shows double-digit leads across the board. In Cinebench R23, the i5-10300H scores 6950 in multi-core and 981 in single-core, while the i5-8350U scores 5173 and 730, respectively. This translates to a 34.4% advantage in both tests. For tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or any CPU-intensive professional work, the i5-10300H is the only sensible choice between these two. Its higher 45W TDP is the price you pay for that performance. This is the processor for a laptop that will be plugged in and pushed hard.

Pick the Intel Core i5-8350U if you prioritize portability and battery life above all else. Its 15W TDP is a third of the i5-10300H's 45W TDP, which strongly suggests it is designed for thinner, lighter laptops with better battery endurance. The performance gap is real, but it is not catastrophic for basic tasks. In PassMark single-thread, the i5-8350U scores 1996, which is 27.1% behind the i5-10300H's 2537. For web browsing, office applications, and media consumption, this difference is unlikely to be a major bottleneck. The i5-8350U also has a smaller die size at 123 mm², indicating a more compact design. If you never want to hear a cooling fan spin up, the i5-8350U is the one to get.

The data positions both chips at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores tell a different story. The i5-10300H has an average benchmark score of 9243, while the i5-8350U sits at 8998. The i5-10300H is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-1165G7 and 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280M in its nearest rival list. The i5-8350U is 0.6% behind the Intel Core i5-1135G7 and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i7-8650U. This shows that while the i5-10300H performs at a higher absolute level, the i5-8350U is still a competent performer within its own power class. The choice is about your use case, not about which chip is "better" in a vacuum.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-10300H is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6950 versus the i5-8350U's 5173, a 34.4% advantage. It also leads in PassMark multithread with 8262 points against 6129, a 34.8% difference.

Q: Is the single-core performance different?

A: Yes, the i5-10300H leads in all single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 412 versus 306 for the i5-8350U, a 34.6% lead. PassMark single-thread shows a 27.1% lead for the i5-10300H (2537 vs. 1996).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between these two chips?

A: The biggest difference is in PassMark data compression. The i5-10300H scores 117306, while the i5-8350U scores 79781, giving the i5-10300H a 47% advantage. This suggests a major difference in tasks that involve compressing or decompressing files.

Q: Do they have the same specifications for cache and cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The core architecture is the main difference, not the cache layout.

Q: What are the power consumption implications?

A: The i5-10300H has a TDP of 45W, while the i5-8350U has a TDP of 15W. The i5-10300H is designed for performance, while the i5-8350U is designed for energy efficiency and longer battery life in ultraportable laptops.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-10300H has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, compared to the i5-8350U's 3.60 GHz. The i5-10300H also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 1700.00 MHz for the i5-8350U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-10300H is based on Comet Lake, specifically the Comet Lake-H codename, and belongs to the Core 10th Gen series. The Intel Core i5-8350U is based on the older Kaby Lake architecture, with the codename Kaby Lake-R, and is part of the Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and manufactured by Intel, but the newer Comet Lake design is the foundation for the i5-10300H's higher performance.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-10300H features UHD Graphics, while the i5-8350U comes with the more specifically named UHD 620. While both are integrated solutions, they are distinct implementations. The memory support is another point of divergence: the i5-10300H supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i5-8350U only supports DDR4. This makes the i5-10300H more flexible for system designers. The i5-10300H also has a specified memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i5-8350U's memory bandwidth is not listed in the data.

The sockets are different, which means these chips are not interchangeable. The i5-10300H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the i5-8350U uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket. This indicates they are designed for different laptop motherboard platforms. Finally, the i5-8350U has a documented die size of 123 mm², while the i5-10300H's die size is not listed, suggesting the i5-8350U's design is more compact physically.

Specification Differences

The core specifications show a clear split in design philosophy. The i5-10300H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i5-8350U has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-10300H operates at a significantly higher frequency range, which directly contributes to its benchmark superiority.

The TDP is the most critical differentiator. The i5-10300H has a TDP of 45W, classifying it as a high-performance part. The i5-8350U has a TDP of 15W, classifying it as a low-power, ultrabook-focused part. This threefold difference in power budget is the root cause of the performance disparity. The i5-10300H can sustain higher clocks for longer under load because it has more thermal headroom.

The memory support differs, as noted. The i5-10300H supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-8350U supports only DDR4. The i5-10300H also lists a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-8350U. The integrated GPU names are different: UHD Graphics on the i5-10300H versus UHD 620 on the i5-8350U. The socket types are also different (BGA 1440 vs. BGA 1356), making them incompatible with the same motherboards. The part numbers are distinct as well: SRH84 for the i5-10300H and SR3L9 for the i5-8350U.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data provides a comprehensive picture of the i5-10300H's dominance. In the Cinebench suite, the i5-10300H wins every test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 700 multi-core and 98 single-core, versus 521 and 73 for the i5-8350U. This equates to a 34.4% lead in multi-core and a 34.2% lead in single-core. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20, with the i5-10300H scoring 2919 multi-core and 412 single-core, compared to 2172 and 306, for a 34.4% and 34.6% lead, respectively. In the more demanding Cinebench R23, the i5-10300H scores 6950 multi-core and 981 single-core, while the i5-8350U scores 5173 and 730, again a 34.4% advantage in both.

The PassMark suite shows the i5-10300H's biggest wins. The largest gap is in data compression, where the i5-10300H scores 117306 versus 79781, a 47% lead. This is a massive difference for file archiving tasks. The i5-10300H also wins in extended instructions (7449 vs. 5243, 42.1% lead) and random string sorting (14956 vs. 10651, 40.4% lead). In integer math, the i5-10300H scores 27046 against 22244, a 21.6% lead, and in floating-point math it scores 17076 versus 13422, a 27.2% lead.

The smallest leads are still substantial. In PassMark physics, the i5-10300H scores 514 versus 428, a 20.1% lead. In single-thread performance, the i5-10300H scores 2537 against 1996, a 27.1% lead. The data encryption test shows a 33.5% lead for the i5-10300H (2770 vs. 2075). The i5-10300H also has a notable lead in finding prime numbers (27 vs. 19, 42.1% lead). Across all 17 head-to-head tests, the i5-10300H is the winner, with an average performance advantage that makes it the clear choice for users who need maximum computing power from their mobile processor.