Intel Core i5-8300H vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8300H and Intel Core i7-7920HQ are two mobile processors separated by a generation and positioned in different tiers, yet they land remarkably close in the benchmark database. The data shows the i5-8300H wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, while the i7-7920HQ secures a single victory in Geekbench multicore. Both chips share a 4-core, 8-thread layout and a 45-watt TDP, but the i7-7920HQ counters with higher clock speeds and a different cache configuration. The following analysis breaks down where each processor holds an edge, what the numbers reveal about their real-world positioning, and which type of workload favors which chip.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-8300H dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 629 against the i7-7920HQ's 619, a 1.6% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 88 versus 87, a 1.1% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-8300H posts 2622 multicore and 370 single-core, while the i7-7920HQ trails with 2583 and 364, respectively — deltas of 1.5% and 1.6%. The R23 results continue the trend: the i5-8300H reaches 6245 multicore and 881 single-core, versus 6151 and 868 for the i7-7920HQ, both again around 1.5% in favor of the i5. Geekbench single-core also goes to the i5-8300H, with 1286 against 1267, a 1.5% margin.

The lone win for the i7-7920HQ comes in Geekbench multicore. There, it scores 3999 against the i5-8300H's 3920, a 2% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the older i7 pulls ahead, and it is also the largest single delta in either direction across the entire head-to-head set. For users prioritizing Geekbench multicore performance specifically, the i7-7920HQ is the better pick; for every other measured workload, the i5-8300H holds a consistent, if modest, lead.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow overall winner in the Intel Core i5-8300H. It wins 7 of 8 benchmarks, with leads ranging from 1.1% to 1.6% in Cinebench and Geekbench single-core tests. The i7-7920HQ's sole victory is a 2% edge in Geekbench multicore, which is notable but does not offset the i5's broader consistency. For users running Cinebench-based rendering tasks or single-threaded applications, the i5-8300H is the superior choice. For those whose workflow is heavily weighted toward Geekbench multicore scores, the i7-7920HQ offers a small but measurable benefit. The i5-8300H also holds a higher percentile rank among all CPUs at 45, compared to the i7-7920HQ's 44, and its average benchmark score of 2005 edges out the i7's 1992.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel Core i5-8300H is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 1.1% with a score of 88 versus 87. While the raw gap is just one point, it indicates a slight clock-for-clock efficiency advantage in lightly threaded workloads. The largest margin for the i5 in absolute terms is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 6245 against 6151, a 94-point difference that translates to a 1.5% lead. This pattern repeats across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, with the i5 consistently ahead by 1.5% to 1.6%.

The i7-7920HQ's Geekbench multicore win is its only bright spot, and it is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The i7 scores 3999 against 3920, a 79-point gap that equates to a 2% advantage. This result is curious given that the i5 wins every other multicore test, but the Geekbench workload evidently favors the i7's higher base and boost clocks. The i7's base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz outperform the i5's 2.30 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, which likely explains this specific result. In single-core Geekbench, however, the i5 fights back with 1286 versus 1267, a 1.5% win, suggesting the i5's microarchitecture improvements offset the i7's clock advantage in that test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8300H has an average benchmark score of 2005, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ scores 1992.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-8300H wins 7 of 8 benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ wins 1.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-7920HQ leads by 2% with a score of 3999 versus 3920.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the base clock difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8300H has a base clock of 2.30 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-8300H has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The Intel Core i5-8300H is built on Coffee Lake-H, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ is based on Kaby Lake-H. Both use a 14 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, with an identical die size of 126 mm². The cache hierarchy differs in the L3 portion: the i5-8300H has 12 MB of shared L3, whereas the i7-7920HQ has 8 MB. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-8300H carries a UHD 630, while the i7-7920HQ uses an Intel HD Graphics 630. The i7-7920HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-8300H supports only DDR4. The i7-7920HQ also lists a PCIe configuration of Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a detail not specified for the i5-8300H.

Specification Differences

Several specification fields distinguish these two mobile processors beyond their architecture generation. The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has higher clock speeds, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the i5-8300H's 2.30 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Both share a 45-watt TDP and the same socket, Intel BGA 1440. The i7-7920HQ supports DDR3 in addition to DDR4, whereas the i5-8300H is limited to DDR4. The i7-7920HQ also specifies a dual-channel memory bus and a Gen 3, 16-lane PCIe connection (CPU only); the i5-8300H does not list these fields. The L3 cache is larger on the i5-8300H at 12 MB versus 8 MB on the i7-7920HQ. The i5-8300H was released later, in April 2018, while the i7-7920HQ came out in January 2017. The i7-7920HQ has a launch MSRP of $568; the i5-8300H has no listed launch MSRP. Both processors are end-of-life production status and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR3Z0 for the i5-8300H and SR32L for the i7-7920HQ.