Core i7-8700 vs Core Ultra 7 164U

Core i7-8700

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2017

Core Ultra 7 164U

12 Cores14 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-8700

6 / 12

12,747

+1.0%

12,625

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-8700 is positioned at rank 483 and the Core Ultra 7 164U is on rank 675, so the Core i7-8700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8700

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

7409%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7001%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5083%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1531%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1213%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1061%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

608%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

600%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

546%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

546%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

540%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

525%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

518%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

516%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

511%

#369

Core i5-8400T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $179

99%

#370

Athlon 240GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $110

99%

#483

Core i7-8700

MSRP: $303|Avg: $110

100%

#487

Pentium Dual-Core E2220

MSRP: $32|Avg: $32

99%

#491

Pentium G4600T

MSRP: $75|Avg: $35

97%

#493

Core i5-6500T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $35

97%

#494

FX-6330

MSRP: $109|Avg: $25

97%

#495

Celeron G1630

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 164U

#663

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

930%

#664

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

916%

#665

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

841%

#666

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

837%

#667

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

829%

#669

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

801%

#670

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

768%

#671

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

767%

#672

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

746%

#675

Core Ultra 7 164U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core Ultra 7 164U (2023) utilizes 7 nm technology and DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-8700	Core Ultra 7 164U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-U (2023) / 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-8700 (2017) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-8700	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-8700 Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 7 164U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8700 and Core Ultra 7 164U

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)	2 MB (per core)+700%
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 22.2% 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 — 66.7% 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+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
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.