Core i5-7200U vs Core i7-960

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 i5-7200U vs Core i7-960 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 i5-7200U vs Core i7-960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7200U

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 620, while Core i7-960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-960 across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,369 vs 3,400).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-960

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.7% higher average FPS across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core i5-7200U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7200U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-960 better than Core i5-7200U?

Yes. Core i7-960 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-960 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.7% more average FPS across 35 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-960 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-960 is the better buy right now. Core i7-960 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.7% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-7200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7200U vs Core i7-960 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7200U

The Core i5-7200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,369 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-960 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-7200U versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 11% clock advantage for the Core i7-960 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-7200U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7200U scores 3,369 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-960. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-7200U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960.

Feature	Core i5-7200U	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.46 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,369	3,400

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-960 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7200U	Core i7-960
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7200U) / not specified (Core i7-960). The Core i5-7200U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7200U targets Mobile.