CPU
GPU
Core i7-9700E
Core Ultra 7 164U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700E
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 164U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-U (2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700E and Core Ultra 7 164U
Core i7-9700E
The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 points. Launch price was $149.
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 i7-9700E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700E scores 12,575 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 0.4% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,800 vs 8,766 (25.3% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,172 vs 2,131, a 58.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,802 vs 8,973 (27.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 12 / 14+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.8 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+136% | 1.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+700% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Meteor Lake-U (2023) |
| PassMark | 12,575 | 12,625 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,800 | 8,766+29% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,172 | 2,131+82% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,802 | 8,973+32% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i7-9700E offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i7-9700E) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | 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
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-9700E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700E) and Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | Intel Arc |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Enthusiast |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-9700E and Core Ultra 7 164U
