CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8269U vs Intel Core i5-8350U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8269U is a quad-core mobile processor from Intel's 8th Generation Coffee Lake-U lineup, designed primarily for premium thin-and-light laptops and Apple's Mac mini. Operating with a base clock of 2.6 GHz and boosting up to 4.2 GHz, it utilizes Intel's 14nm manufacturing process. With 8 threads and 6MB of L3 cache, it delivers robust performance for productivity, multitasking, and moderate creative workloads. Unlike standard U-series processors limited to 15W, the 8269U features a higher 28W TDP, allowing for better sustained performance and integration of the more powerful Iris Plus Graphics 655. This eDRAM-backed GPU provides significantly better graphical capability and video encoding performance than standard UHD graphics. Commonly found in premium ultrabooks and compact desktops, it offers an excellent balance of high clock speeds, capable integrated graphics, and manageable thermal output for users needing more than basic mobile computing power.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
High base clock and 28W TDP ensure excellent sustained productivity performance.
Highly capable for office suites, heavy browsing, and daily multitasking.
Gaming
Iris Plus graphics allow for playable framerates in older or well-optimized titles.
Limited to very light or older games due to basic UHD 620 graphics.
Virtualization
Good for running light VMs and development environments.
Can handle light VMs for development, but limited by thermal constraints.
Efficiency
Balances power and performance well, though hotter than 15W chips.
Mature 14nm process offers excellent battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- eDRAM helps with memory-bound compute tasks
- No dedicated AI hardware
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Relies on CPU AVX2 instructions
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Plus 655 with eDRAM
- Capable of 720p/1080p gaming on low settings for older titles
- Thermal limits may restrict sustained GPU boost
- Relies on Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Only suitable for 2D or highly optimized older games
- Lacks hardware support for modern DirectX 12 Ultimate features
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Strong sustained performance with 28W TDP
- Iris Plus 655 graphics with eDRAM
- High base and turbo clock speeds
- Excellent for compact form factor PCs
Cons
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA 1356)
- More expensive than standard 15W U-series chips
- Integrated graphics still limit gaming potential
- Older 14nm process
Pros
- Reliable quad-core performance for everyday tasks
- High boost clock of 3.6 GHz
- Good multitasking with 8 threads
- Wide compatibility with DDR4 and LPDDR3
Cons
- Built on aging 14nm process
- Weak integrated graphics
- No support for PCIe 4.0
- Quickly overshadowed by Whiskey Lake
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8269U
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8259URival
Mobile (Premium)
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8559URival
Mobile (Premium)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8305GRival
Mobile (HBM)
- Intel Core i5-8279UAlt
Newer 9th gen equivalent with slightly better clocks.
- Alt
Vastly superior performance and efficiency in the Mac mini.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 4600UAlt
More cores and better efficiency in a 15W envelope.
Desktop equivalent with similar performance.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-8100HAlt
Cheaper quad-core alternative if graphics are less important.
Intel Core i5-8350U
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8550URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8250URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-7200URival
Mobile
Better turbo frequencies on Whiskey Lake.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
More cores and better Vega graphics.
- Intel Core i3-8130UAlt
Cheaper alternative for basic tasks.
- Alt
Vastly superior battery life and performance.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Budget-friendly with modern Vega graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
A powerful 28W mobile chip offering higher sustained clocks and Iris Plus graphics, making it ideal for premium compact computing.
Best for: Buying a used Mac mini or premium ultrabook for a compact home server or office machine.
Read the full reviewA solid quad-core low-power processor that brought significant multi-threaded gains to ultrabooks, though its integrated graphics remain a limiting factor.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used business laptop for basic office work.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8269U or Intel Core i5-8350U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8269U comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-8269U or Intel Core i5-8350U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8269U leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-8269U and Intel Core i5-8350U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-8350U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-8269U (28 W), Intel Core i5-8350U (15 W).
Do Intel Core i5-8269U and Intel Core i5-8350U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1356 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-8269U posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-8269U (7,400), Intel Core i5-8350U (6,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.