Intel Core i5-8279U vs Intel Core i5-8300H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8300H and Intel Core i5-8279U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors built on Intel's 14 nm Coffee Lake architecture, but they target different segments: the 8300H is a high-performance H-series part, while the 8279U is a low-power U-series part. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split: the 8279U wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, all of them Cinebench, while the 8300H wins the two Geekbench tests by larger margins. This analysis walks through the numbers, the architectural differences, and the practical implications for each workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 8279U scores 634 against the 8300H's 629, a 0.8% lead. The single-core test shows a similar pattern: 89 versus 88, a 1.1% advantage for the 8279U. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 8279U again leads in multicore with 2643 versus 2622 (0.8% ahead) and in single-core with 372 versus 370 (0.5% ahead). Cinebench R23 repeats the trend: multicore 6294 versus 6245 (0.8% ahead) and single-core 888 versus 881 (0.8% ahead). In every Cinebench test, the 8279U wins, but the margins are narrow, never exceeding 1.1%.

The Geekbench results flip the picture. In Geekbench multicore, the 8300H scores 3920 against the 8279U's 3764, a 4.1% lead. The single-core test is even more decisive: 1286 versus 1209, a 6.4% advantage for the 8300H. These are the only two wins for the 8300H, but they are substantial compared to the Cinebench deltas. The overall win count is 6 for the 8279U and 2 for the 8300H, yet the average benchmark scores are close: the 8300H averages 2005, the 8279U averages 1987, a difference of less than 1%. The percentile rankings also reflect this: the 8300H sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, the 8279U at the 44th.

The pattern suggests that the 8279U's higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz) and higher base clock (2.40 GHz versus 2.30 GHz) give it an edge in Cinebench's rendering workloads, which are sensitive to raw clock speed. The 8300H, however, has double the L3 cache (12 MB versus 6 MB), which may explain its stronger Geekbench performance, as that test often benefits from larger caches. The Geekbench margins are large enough to offset the Cinebench losses in the overall average, but the 8279U still wins the majority of individual tests.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same 14 nm process node, the same 126 mm² die size, and the same Intel foundry. They also have identical L1 and L2 caches: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The core and thread counts are the same: 4 cores and 8 threads. The differences begin with the codename and socket. The 8300H is a Coffee Lake-H part on the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the 8279U is a Coffee Lake-U part on the Intel BGA 1526 socket. This reflects their different thermal and power envelopes: the 8300H has a 45 W TDP, the 8279U a 28 W TDP.

The L3 cache is a major divergence. The 8300H has 12 MB of shared L3, while the 8279U has only 6 MB. This is a 2x difference and likely contributes to the Geekbench results. The integrated graphics also differ: the 8300H uses the UHD 630, while the 8279U uses the Iris Pro Plus 655. The 8279U also lists a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The 8300H does not have these fields specified in the database, so no direct comparison is possible. The 8279U also has a transistor count of 2,300 million, while the 8300H's count is not recorded.

The release dates are about a year apart: the 8300H launched in April 2018, the 8279U in April 2019. Both are marked as end-of-life. The 8279U has a launch MSRP of $320, which is the only price information available. The part numbers are SR3Z0 for the 8300H and SREZ0 for the 8279U. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8279U has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8300H has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache differ between the two?

A: The 8300H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 8279U has 6 MB. This is a 2x difference in favor of the 8300H.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The 8279U is equipped with the Iris Pro Plus 655, while the 8300H uses the UHD 630. The database does not include iGPU benchmarks, but the model names indicate a difference in capability.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The 8300H has a TDP of 45 W, while the 8279U has a TDP of 28 W. The 8279U is designed for lower power consumption.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench?

A: The 8300H wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3920 in multicore versus 3764 for the 8279U, and 1286 in single-core versus 1209, a 4.1% and 6.4% lead, respectively.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The 8279U was released in April 2019, while the 8300H was released in April 2018. The 8279U is about a year newer.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

| Field | Intel Core i5-8300H | Intel Core i5-8279U |

|-------|---------------------|---------------------|

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel BGA 1526 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-H | Coffee Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i5 (Coffee Lake-H) | Core i5 (Coffee Lake-U) |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD 630 | Iris Pro Plus 655 |

| Release date | April 2018 | April 2019 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $320 |

| Part number | SR3Z0 | SREZ0 |

| Transistors | Not specified | 2,300 million |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 45 | 44 |

| Average benchmark score | 2005 | 1987 |

| Head-to-head wins | 2 | 6 |

All other fields, including core count, thread count, L1 and L2 cache, process node, die size, foundry, memory support (DDR4), ECC support (false), and unlocked multiplier (false), are identical.

Where Each One Wins

The 8279U is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads. It takes all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multicore) with margins ranging from 0.5% to 1.1%. This makes it the better choice for rendering tasks that rely on Cinebench's specific instruction patterns. Its higher base and boost clocks (2.40 GHz and 4.10 GHz) likely drive these wins, and its lower TDP (28 W versus 45 W) means it can achieve this performance while drawing less power, which is valuable in thin-and-light laptops.

The 8300H wins in Geekbench, both multicore and single-core, with margins of 4.1% and 6.4% respectively. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head set. The 8300H's 12 MB L3 cache, double that of the 8279U, is the most plausible explanation for its Geekbench advantage, as that test often rewards larger caches. The 8300H also has a higher average benchmark score (2005 versus 1987) and a slightly higher percentile (45 versus 44), though these differences are marginal.

For users who prioritize Cinebench rendering, the 8279U is the better performer. For users who prioritize Geekbench-style general productivity, the 8300H is the better performer. The 8279U also offers a more capable integrated GPU (Iris Pro Plus 655 versus UHD 630) and a lower TDP, which may be relevant for systems without a discrete graphics card or with limited cooling. The 8300H, on the other hand, has the larger cache and a higher average score overall.

The Verdict

The data points to a workload-dependent decision. The Intel Core i5-8279U is the superior choice for Cinebench-based rendering tasks, winning all six Cinebench tests by small but consistent margins. It also has a lower TDP (28 W versus 45 W), a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz), and a more advanced integrated GPU (Iris Pro Plus 655 versus UHD 630). Its launch MSRP is $320, though that figure does not factor into performance analysis.

The Intel Core i5-8300H is the better option for Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by 4.1% in multicore and 6.4% in single-core. It also has double the L3 cache (12 MB versus 6 MB), which likely contributes to its Geekbench advantage. Its average benchmark score (2005) is slightly higher than the 8279U's (1987), and it sits at the 45th percentile versus the 44th.

In practical terms, a user who runs Cinebench frequently should pick the 8279U. A user who relies on Geekbench or similar general-purpose benchmarks should pick the 8300H. The 8279U's lower power draw and better iGPU make it attractive for portable systems, while the 8300H's larger cache and higher average score give it a slight edge in overall aggregate performance. Neither processor dominates across the board, so the final choice hinges on the specific application mix.