Intel Core i5-8259U
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i5-8259U Specifications
Core i5-8259U Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i5-8259U features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i5-8259U Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i5-8259U benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i5-8259U by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i5-8259U Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i5-8259U processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i5-8259U's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Coffee Lake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i5-8259U is built on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i5-8259U incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Coffee Lake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i5-8259U by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i5-8259U Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i5-8259U has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 28W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 1526 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i5-8259U uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 1526 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i5-8259U define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i5-8259U determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core i5-8259U Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core i5-8259U includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the i5-8259U provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core i5-8259U Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i5-8259U is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i5-8259U by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i5-8259U Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i5-8259U performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core i5-8259U handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i5-8259U.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i5-8259U.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i5-8259U after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i5-8259U maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i5-8259U across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i5-8259U can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i5-8259U
Intel Core i5-8259U is a mobile processor from Intel’s Coffee Lake-U generation, launched in April 2018. This 4-core, 8-thread part sits in the upper mid-range of its segment, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The benchmark data places it at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2115, indicating a processor that is competitive with its immediate peers but not class-leading. The following analysis examines its platform, thermals, and performance characteristics using the available data.
Platform and Compatibility
The Intel Core i5-8259U uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket, a surface-mounted design that is soldered directly to the motherboard. This makes the processor non-upgradeable in typical laptop deployments, as the CPU is not intended for end-user removal or replacement. The architecture is Coffee Lake-U, built on Intel’s 14 nm process node, with a die size of 126 mm². This is a mobile-market segment part, and its production status is listed as end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active manufacturing.
Memory support is limited to DDR4, operating in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bus provides a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is a fixed figure for this platform and cannot be exceeded regardless of the installed memory modules. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for this market segment. For expansion and peripheral connectivity, the processor provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU only. This lane count is sufficient for a discrete GPU and a couple of NVMe drives, but the mobile platform’s overall connectivity is also dependent on the chipset and motherboard design. The integrated graphics are handled by Iris Pro Plus 655, which is a higher-tier integrated GPU for this generation, offering more execution units than the base HD Graphics found on some comparable parts.
The upgrade path is effectively closed due to the BGA socket. In contrast to desktop platforms where a user might swap a CPU, the i5-8259U is permanently affixed. The part number is listed as SRCKBSRCUU, and the processor has a locked multiplier, so overclocking via the CPU ratio is not possible. The 16 PCIe lanes are a hard limit; there are no additional lanes routed through the CPU for other purposes. The dual-channel memory controller is standard for this class, and the 38.4 GB/s bandwidth figure matches the theoretical maximum for DDR4-2400 in dual-channel mode, though the exact supported memory speed is not specified in the data.
Power and Thermals
The thermal design power (TDP) is rated at 28 watts. This places the i5-8259U in the upper tier of ultraportable and thin-and-light laptop processors, which typically range from 15 W to 28 W. A 28 W TDP implies that the cooling solution must be more substantial than what is found in fanless or passively cooled designs. A capable air cooler with a small fan or a heat pipe assembly is the minimum requirement to sustain the 2.30 GHz base clock and allow the 3.80 GHz boost clock to be reached under load.
Given the 28 W envelope, the processor can maintain higher sustained clocks than a 15 W part, but it will generate more heat. The data does not specify a maximum temperature or a sustained power limit (PL1/PL2), so the actual thermal behavior depends on the laptop chassis design. In practice, a laptop with this CPU will likely have a dual-fan setup or a single fan with a dedicated heat pipe for the CPU and another for the integrated graphics. The 14 nm process node is mature for this era, and the 126 mm² die size means heat is spread over a relatively large area, which aids in thermal transfer to the heatsink.
The locked multiplier means that users cannot adjust the clock speeds to alter the power draw. The processor’s power consumption is governed by Intel’s default turbo and power management algorithms. For a 28 W part, the cooling required is a step above the basic 15 W coolers, but it is not in the same class as 45 W H-series processors that demand larger heat sinks and more aggressive fan curves. The absence of ECC memory support also simplifies the power delivery design, as there is no need for additional voltage regulation for registered memory.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark results show a processor that performs consistently across multiple test suites. In Cinebench R15, the multicore score is 671, while the single-core score is 94. The multicore-to-single-core ratio here is roughly 7.1:1, which is expected for a 4-core/8-thread part. Moving to Cinebench R20, the scores are 2798 multicore and 394 single-core. The R23 results are 6664 multicore and 940 single-core. The Geekbench results are lower in absolute terms, with 4122 multicore and 1240 single-core.
The average benchmark score across all listed tests is 2115. This places the CPU at the 48th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning it is slightly below the median of the entire range of processors tested. The nearest rival, AMD Ryzen 5 7520C, has an average score of 2127, which is 0.6% higher than the i5-8259U. This is a negligible difference, effectively a statistical tie. The Intel Xeon E-2224G also scores 2128, again 0.6% higher, and the Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3 scores 2129, also 0.6% higher. On the other side, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G scores 2101, which is 0.7% lower than the i5-8259U.
These deltas are all within a 1.3% band, indicating that the i5-8259U is performance-equivalent to its nearest rivals. The absolute scores show that in multi-threaded workloads, the 4-core/8-thread design is adequate for productivity tasks but will not compete with higher-core-count parts. For instance, the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 6664 is a strong result for a 28 W mobile chip, but it is roughly half of what a 6-core desktop part would achieve.
How It Compares
AMD Ryzen 5 7520C: This rival has an average score of 2127, which is 0.6% higher than the i5-8259U. The two processors are effectively tied in overall performance. The Ryzen 5 7520C is a newer architecture, but the benchmark data does not show a significant advantage in average score. In single-thread performance, the data does not provide a per-test comparison, but the average scores suggest that the i5-8259U holds its own.
Intel Xeon E-2224G: This Xeon part scores 2128, again 0.6% higher than the i5-8259U. The Xeon E-2224G is a desktop-class processor, but its average score is almost identical to the mobile i5-8259U. This indicates that the mobile part’s 28 W TDP does not severely handicap it in synthetic benchmarks, as the performance gap is within measurement error.
Intel Xeon E5-2630L v3: With a score of 2129, this older Xeon is 0.6% higher than the i5-8259U. The E5-2630L v3 is a 10-core part from a previous generation, but its lower clock speeds bring its average score in line with the i5-8259U. This shows that the i5-8259U’s higher clocks can offset a core-count disadvantage in average terms.
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G: This rival scores 2101, which is 0.7% lower than the i5-8259U. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G is a desktop APU with integrated graphics, but the i5-8259U edges it out in average benchmark score. The 0.7% delta is small, but it shows the i5-8259U is slightly ahead in this comparison.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The single-thread performance, as measured by Cinebench R23, is 940 points. The multi-thread score is 6664 points, which is approximately 7.1 times the single-thread score. This scaling factor is typical for a 4-core/8-thread processor with simultaneous multithreading, where the theoretical maximum scaling is 8x, but real-world efficiency brings it to around 85-90% of that. The Cinebench R20 scores show a similar ratio: 394 single-core and 2798 multi-core, which is also a 7.1x multiplier.
The Geekbench results show a lower scaling factor. The single-core score is 1240, and the multi-core score is 4122, which is a 3.3x multiplier. This discrepancy between Cinebench and Geekbench is expected because Geekbench’s multi-core tests often have more memory latency sensitivity and less perfect thread scaling. For real-world workloads, the single-thread score is more indicative of everyday responsiveness, such as web browsing, office applications, and light coding. The multi-thread score is relevant for video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks, where the 8 threads can be fully utilized.
The 48th percentile ranking suggests that in single-thread performance, the i5-8259U is above the median of all CPUs, but not near the top. The 3.80 GHz boost clock is the primary driver of single-thread performance, and it is a modestly high clock for a 28 W part. In multi-threaded tasks, the 4-core limit becomes apparent; a 6-core or 8-core processor would offer higher scaling, but the i5-8259U’s performance is consistent with its core count and TDP class.
FAQ
Q: What is the socket type for the Intel Core i5-8259U?
A: The processor uses the Intel BGA 1526 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable connection.
Q: Does the i5-8259U support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported by this processor.
Q: What is the TDP of the i5-8259U and what cooling does it require?
A: The TDP is rated at 28 watts, which requires a capable air cooler with a fan, as passive cooling is insufficient for sustained loads.
Q: How does the i5-8259U compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C in average benchmark score?
A: The Ryzen 5 7520C has an average score of 2127, which is 0.6% higher than the i5-8259U’s score of 2115.
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i5-8259U?
A: The launch MSRP is $320.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the CPU cannot be overclocked by adjusting the clock multiplier.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i5-8259U
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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