Core i7-10700 vs Core Ultra 7 155U

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 i7-10700 vs Core Ultra 7 155U 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 i7-10700 vs Core Ultra 7 155U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10700

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 630, while Core Ultra 7 155U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 155U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (16,067 vs 16,185).
❌Launch MSRP is still $365 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 155U

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-10700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700 better than Core Ultra 7 155U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-10700 is ahead with a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 155U pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-10700 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 155U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core i7-10700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $365 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 155U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 155U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-10700 vs Core Ultra 7 155U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10700

The Core i7-10700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 16,067 points. Launch price was $340.

Core Ultra 7 155U

The Core Ultra 7 155U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-P (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 16,185 points. Launch price was $490.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10700 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155U — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i7-10700 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses Meteor Lake-P (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700 scores 16,067 against the Core Ultra 7 155U's 16,185 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155U. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155U.

Feature	Core i7-10700	Core Ultra 7 155U
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+71%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Meteor Lake-P (2023)
PassMark	16,067	16,185
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,250	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,597	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,926	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-10700	Core Ultra 7 155U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-10700) / not specified (Core Ultra 7 155U). The Core i7-10700 includes integrated graphics (UHD 630), while the Core Ultra 7 155U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700 rivals Ryzen 7 3700X.