Core i5-7442EQ vs Core i7-8665UE

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 i5-7442EQ vs Core i7-8665UE 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 i5-7442EQ vs Core i7-8665UE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 63.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.3 vs 11.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8665UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,834 vs 4,852).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌66.7% higher power demand at 25W vs 15W.

Core i7-8665UE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 25W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.9 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8665UE better than Core i5-7442EQ?

Yes. Core i7-8665UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8665UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8665UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-8665UE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8665UE comes in 63.6% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7442EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 63.0% better value on paper (19.3 vs 11.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older DDR4-era platform.

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

Core i7-8665UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7442EQ vs Core i7-8665UE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ 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 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-8665UE

The Core i7-8665UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,852 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-8665UE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-8665UE — a 70.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-8665UE. The Core i5-7442EQ uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8665UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7442EQ scores 4,834 against the Core i7-8665UE's 4,852 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-8665UE. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8665UE.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-8665UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+110%
Base Clock	—	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,834	4,852
Geekbench 6 Single	728	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,387	—

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Memory & Platform

Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-8665UE
Socket	—	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8665UE). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7442EQ) and UHD Graphics 620 (Core i7-8665UE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded, Core i7-8665UE targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-8665UE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Embedded	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7442EQ was priced at $250, while the Core i7-8665UE came in at $409. On launch pricing ($250 vs $409), Core i5-7442EQ was $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7442EQ delivers 19.3 pts/$ vs 11.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-8665UE — making the Core i5-7442EQ the 47.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7442EQ	Core i7-8665UE
MSRP	$250-39%	$409
Performance per Dollar	19.3+62%	11.9
Release Date	2017	2018

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