Intel Core i5-5300U vs Intel Core i5-5350U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5350U and Intel Core i5-5300U are nearly identical Broadwell-U mobile processors, but benchmark data reveals a clear split: the i5-5350U dominates Geekbench workloads, while the i5-5300U leads in every Cinebench test. With the i5-5300U winning 5 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks and the i5-5350U taking the remaining 2, the choice depends entirely on which benchmark suite reflects your target applications. Both chips share a 15W TDP, the same 2.9 GHz boost clock, and identical launch MSRPs, yet their underlying silicon differs in transistor count, die size, and integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U averages 903 points, while the Intel Core i5-5300U averages 895 points. This places the i5-5350U at a 0.9% higher overall score, though both sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-5300U scores 2287 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, beating the i5-5350U’s 2198 by 3.9%. This pattern repeats across all four Cinebench tests, where the i5-5300U consistently wins by 3.7% to 3.9%.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench tests?

A: The i5-5350U wins decisively. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 868 versus 791 for the i5-5300U, a 9.7% advantage. In multi-core, the i5-5350U scores 1671 against 1540, an 8.5% lead.

Q: Are the two CPUs manufactured on the same process node?

A: Yes, both use Intel’s 14 nm process node and are built on the Broadwell-U architecture. However, the i5-5350U packs 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, while the i5-5300U has 1,300 million transistors on an 82 mm² die.

Q: What are the similarities in memory support and PCIe lanes?

A: Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode and provide Gen 2 PCIe with 12 lanes (CPU only). The i5-5350U offers a higher memory bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i5-5300U.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: No. The i5-5350U features Intel HD 6000, while the i5-5300U comes with Intel HD 5500. This is a notable difference given their identical launch MSRP of $315.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same Broadwell-U codename, 14 nm process node, and Intel foundry, but their silicon designs diverge significantly. The i5-5350U contains 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, whereas the i5-5300U uses 1,300 million transistors on a much smaller 82 mm² die. This 600 million transistor and 51 mm² difference suggests the i5-5350U integrates more complex logic, likely contributing to its superior Geekbench performance and higher memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s compared to 25.6 GB/s.

Both chips feature 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The base clocks differ, with the i5-5300U running at 2.30 GHz versus 1.80 GHz for the i5-5350U, yet both boost to the same 2.90 GHz. The i5-5350U counters its lower base clock with a more powerful integrated GPU: Intel HD 6000 versus Intel HD 5500 on the i5-5300U.

Memory support is identical in type (DDR3) and channel configuration (dual-channel), but the bandwidth advantage belongs to the i5-5350U. Both CPUs use the Intel BGA 1168 socket, support 12 PCIe Gen 2 lanes, and lack ECC memory support. They share the same end-of-life production status, same release date, and same part number prefix structure (SR268 for the i5-5350U, SR23X for the i5-5300U). Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite paints a consistent picture: the i5-5300U outperforms the i5-5350U across every render workload. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-5300U scores 230 against 221, a 3.9% margin. This exact 3.9% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (960 vs 923) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (2287 vs 2198). Single-core results follow the same trend: the i5-5300U wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 3.7% (135 vs 130) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 3.7% (322 vs 310). The consistency of these deltas indicates a fixed clock-frequency advantage rather than architectural superiority.

Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The i5-5350U takes Geekbench single-core with 868 points versus 791, a commanding 9.7% lead. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 1671 against 1540, an 8.5% advantage. This inversion is striking: the i5-5350U loses all Cinebench tests by roughly 4% yet wins both Geekbench tests by roughly 9%. The Geekbench wins are more than double the magnitude of the Cinebench losses, suggesting the i5-5350U’s architecture handles integer and memory-intensive workloads substantially better.

When considering the average benchmark score, the i5-5350U edges ahead at 903 versus 895. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-940 at exactly 903 (0% delta), while the i5-5300U ties with the Intel Pentium G4600T and AMD PRO A10-8770E at 895 (0% delta). The i5-5350U also sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i5-4258U and 0.6% above the Intel Core i3-4330T, while the i5-5300U is 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U and 0.7% above the Intel Core i3-6100.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload type. For Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded CPU stress tests, the Intel Core i5-5300U is the clear winner, taking all four multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests with margins between 3.7% and 3.9%. Its higher 2.30 GHz base clock compared to 1.80 GHz on the i5-5350U directly explains this advantage, as both chips boost to the same 2.90 GHz ceiling.

For Geekbench workloads, the Intel Core i5-5350U is the superior choice. It wins single-core by 9.7% and multi-core by 8.5%, and these wins more than compensate for its Cinebench losses when calculating average benchmark scores (903 vs 895). The i5-5350U also offers higher memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s) and a better integrated GPU (Intel HD 6000 vs Intel HD 5500), making it the more versatile processor for mixed usage.

Given identical launch MSRPs of $315, the i5-5350U delivers better overall benchmark averages and superior Geekbench performance, while the i5-5300U excels specifically in Cinebench. Neither chip has a locked multiplier, and both are end-of-life mobile parts on the same socket. The i5-5350U’s larger die (133 mm² vs 82 mm²) and higher transistor count (1,900 million vs 1,300 million) suggest it is the more capable silicon, despite losing on raw render throughput.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Base clock: the i5-5350U runs at 1.80 GHz while the i5-5300U runs at 2.30 GHz, a 500 MHz gap. Transistor count: the i5-5350U has 1,900 million transistors versus 1,300 million in the i5-5300U. Die size: the i5-5350U measures 133 mm² compared to 82 mm² for the i5-5300U. Memory bandwidth: the i5-5350U offers 29.9 GB/s, while the i5-5300U provides 25.6 GB/s. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel HD 6000 on the i5-5350U versus Intel HD 5500 on the i5-5300U. Part numbers also differ: SR268 for the i5-5350U and SR23X for the i5-5300U.

Identical specifications include: 2 cores, 4 threads, 2.90 GHz boost clock, 15W TDP, Intel BGA 1168 socket, Broadwell architecture, Broadwell-U codename, 14 nm process node, Intel foundry, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 3 MB shared L3, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, Gen 2 PCIe with 12 lanes, mobile market segment, end-of-life production status, same release date, $315 launch MSRP, and locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Choose the Intel Core i5-5300U for Cinebench and render workloads. Every Cinebench test favors this chip: R15 multi-core (230 vs 221), R20 multi-core (960 vs 923), R20 single-core (135 vs 130), R23 multi-core (2287 vs 2198), and R23 single-core (322 vs 310). If your applications resemble Cinebench’s render pipeline, the i5-5300U provides a consistent 3.7% to 3.9% performance boost.

Choose the Intel Core i5-5350U for Geekbench and general productivity. The 9.7% single-core advantage (868 vs 791) and 8.5% multi-core advantage (1671 vs 1540) make it the better choice for workloads that exercise memory bandwidth and integer operations. Its higher memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s) and superior integrated graphics (Intel HD 6000) add further value for everyday tasks and light media use.

Choose the i5-5350U for overall average performance. With an average benchmark score of 903 versus 895, the i5-5350U leads by 0.9%, and its Geekbench victories are more than twice the magnitude of its Cinebench losses. The i5-5350U also matches the Intel Core i7-940’s average score exactly, while the i5-5300U ties with lower-tier parts like the Intel Pentium G4600T and AMD PRO A10-8770E.

Choose the i5-5300U for single-threaded Cinebench efficiency. Its 2.30 GHz base clock gives it a head start that the i5-5350U cannot overcome, even with both boosting to 2.90 GHz. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-5300U scores 322 versus 310, a 3.7% win that mirrors its multi-core advantage.