Core Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-2650L v4

Intel

Core Ultra 7 164U

12 Cores14 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2650L v4

14 Cores28 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Core Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-2650L v4 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-2650L v4 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 Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-2650L v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc, while Xeon E5-2650L v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (12,625 vs 12,734).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 35 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2650L v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads.

Xeon E5-2650L v4

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • +191.7% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 164U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 164U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 164U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2650L v4 better than Core Ultra 7 164U?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2650L v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 164U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 191.7% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-2650L v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2650L v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.
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 2016) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 164U vs Xeon E5-2650L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E5-2650L v4

The Xeon E5-2650L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 12,734 points. Launch price was $1,329.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 164U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon E5-2650L v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2650L v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650L v4 — a 63% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2650L v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 164U scores 12,625 against the Xeon E5-2650L v4's 12,734 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2650L v4. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2650L v4.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 164UXeon E5-2650L v4
Cores / Threads
12 / 14
14 / 28+17%
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+92%
2.5 GHz
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
1.7 GHz+55%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
35 MB+192%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
3.5 MB+75%
Process
7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Meteor Lake-U (2023)
Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark
12,625
12,734
Cinebench R23 Multi
8,766
Geekbench 6 Single
2,131
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,973
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 164U uses the FCBGA2551 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2650L v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 164UXeon E5-2650L v4
Socket
FCBGA2551
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5x-6400
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
12
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U) / not specified (Xeon E5-2650L v4). The Core Ultra 7 164U includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc), while the Xeon E5-2650L v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 164UXeon E5-2650L v4
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Arc
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Enthusiast