Core i7-10700KF vs Core Ultra 5 238V

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 i7-10700KF vs Core Ultra 5 238V 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 i7-10700KF vs Core Ultra 5 238V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-10700KF

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +28.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($405 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 45.4 vs 40.1 PassMark/$ ($405 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌635.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 238V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 238V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 238V

2024

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 125W, a 108W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Graphics 130V, while Core i7-10700KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10700KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,219 vs 18,380).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.1 vs 45.4 PassMark/$ ($454 MSRP vs $405 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700KF better than Core Ultra 5 238V?

Yes. Core i7-10700KF is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 28.2% average FPS lead across 50 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 i7-10700KF is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 28.2% 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 i7-10700KF is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-10700KF is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700KF comes in $49 cheaper on MSRP at $405 MSRP versus $454 MSRP, and it still gives you a 28.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 13.1% better value on MSRP (45.4 vs 40.1 PassMark/$), 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 5 238V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-10700KF vs Core Ultra 5 238V Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10700KF

The Core i7-10700KF 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 18,380 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 5 238V

The Core Ultra 5 238V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-10700KF packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core Ultra 5 238V's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i7-10700KF versus 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-10700KF (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-10700KF uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 238V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700KF scores 18,380 against the Core Ultra 5 238V's 18,219 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-10700KF. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i7-10700KF vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V.

Feature	Core i7-10700KF	Core Ultra 5 238V
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+9%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+81%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+100%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	18,380	18,219
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,683
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,130

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 238V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-10700KF	Core Ultra 5 238V
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5x-8533
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-10700KF) / VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 238V). The Core Ultra 5 238V includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics 130V), while the Core i7-10700KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core i7-10700KF	Core Ultra 5 238V
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc Graphics 130V
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700KF was priced at $405, while the Core Ultra 5 238V came in at $454. On launch pricing ($405 vs $454), Core i7-10700KF was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700KF delivers 45.4 pts/$ vs 40.1 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 238V — making the Core i7-10700KF the 12.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10700KF	Core Ultra 5 238V
MSRP	$405-11%	$454
Performance per Dollar	45.4+13%	40.1
Release Date	2020	2024

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