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 i7-8700 vs Core Ultra 7 164U 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 i7-8700 vs Core Ultra 7 164U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core Ultra 7 164U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,535 vs 2,131).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (7,969 vs 8,766).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 164U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 164U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅+38.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 164U better than Core i7-8700?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 164U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 10% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 Ultra 7 164U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 Ultra 7 164U is the stronger fit. You are getting 10% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 14 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 164U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core Ultra 7 164U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 14 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-8700 vs Core Ultra 7 164U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. 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: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 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: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-8700 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-8700. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 7,969 vs 8,766 (9.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,535 vs 2,131, a 32.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,200 vs 8,973 (36.6% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+191%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	12,747	12,625
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,969	8,766+10%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,535	2,131+39%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,200	8,973+45%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-8700 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i7-8700 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 300-series (Core i7-8700) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core Ultra 7 164U
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5x-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700) and Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming, Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600; Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.