Intel Core i5-9300HF vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

Intel Core i5-9300HF

The Intel Core i5-9300H is a fast processor for laptops with four cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture (2019 Refresh, CFL-HR). The processor clocks at between 2.4 and 4.1 GHz (4 with 4 cores) and can execute up to eight threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i5-8300H from 2018, the 9300H is clocked slightly higher (+100 MHz CPU).

Compared to the Core i5-9300H, the integrated graphics card in the 9300HF is deactivated.

The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).

Performance

The Intel Core i5-9300HF should perform similar as the older Core i7-7920HQ (3.1 - 4.1 GHz). The faster Coffee Lake CPUs, like the Core i7-8750H/9750H offers two additional cores and is therefore up to 50% faster in multithreaded benchmarks. Still, the performance of the i5-9300HF should be sufficient for even demanding applications and games. Compared to the Core i5-9300H (see for benchmarks), the performance should be identical.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 45 watts and therefore the i5 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions. Using cTDP-down, the CPU can also be configured to 35 Watt resulting in a reduced performance.

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is a mobile high-end CPU for larger notebooks based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It offers 14 cores consisting of 4 fast performance cores (Lion Cove) with up to 5 GHz and 8 smaller efficiency cores (Skymont) with up to 4.4 GHz clock speed and two additional "low power" efficiency cores with up to 2.4 GHz (Skymont). The CPU has access to 18 MB of cache and is specified with a TDP of 28 watts (PL1, 115W PL2).

The SoC integrates a small dedicated NPU called AI Boost with 13 TOPS (Int8) and optionally supports vPro Enterprise. The integrated memory controller supports up to 192 GB LPDDR5/x-8400 or DDR5-6400 (dual channel). The integrated GPU (iGPU) is an Intel Arc 140T graphics card which offers eight Xe cores with up to 2.25 GHz.

Performance - High End

Compared to the more powerful variants (such as the top model Core Ultra 9 285H) due to the lack of two P-cores. However, thanks to the improved IPC of the cores (especially the efficiency cores), the CPU should be able to hold its own against its Raptor Lake predecessors. As a result, the CPU is also very suitable for demanding tasks such as gaming and content creation.

Chiplet design

Like the desktop and HX chips, the Arrow Lake-H chips are based on individual chiplets that are placed on a 22nm base tile using Foveros 3D packaging. The CPU part comes from TSMC using the modern N3B (3nm) process. As with HX, the GPU also comes from TSMC and is manufactured using the N5P process. SoC and I/O Tile also from TSMC but in the older N6 process.