Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i7-7700

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i7-7700 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i7-7700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-7700.

Core i7-7700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-1038NG7.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,642 vs 8,823).
❌Launch MSRP is still $272 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1038NG7 better than Core i7-7700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7700 is ahead with a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 2.1% better PassMark. Core i7-7700 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-1038NG7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1038NG7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $272 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. Core i7-7700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-1038NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Core i7-7700 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

Core i7-7700

The Core i7-7700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,642 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1038NG7 and Core i7-7700 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-7700 — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-7700 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Core i7-7700's 8,642 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-7700
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.6 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	8,823+2%	8,642
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,435
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7700 — the Core i5-1038NG7 supports 55.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-7700
Socket	FCBGA1344	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733+56%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1038NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i7-7700) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop, Core i7-7700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U; Core i7-7700 rivals Ryzen 5 1600.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Core i7-7700
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G7	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Gaming