Microsoft SQ1
VS
Core i7-8565U

Microsoft SQ1 vs Core i7-8565U

Microsoft SQ1

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3 GHz2019
VS
Intel

Core i7-8565U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2018

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. The Microsoft SQ1 is positioned at rank 877 and the Core i7-8565U is on rank 988, so the Microsoft SQ1 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 Microsoft SQ1

#865
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1458%
#866
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1436%
#867
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1318%
#868
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1312%
#869
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1300%
#871
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1256%
#872
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1204%
#873
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1202%
#874
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1170%
#877
Microsoft SQ1
MSRP: $300|Avg: $180
100%
#879
Core i5-6440HQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
100%
#883
Celeron Dual-Core T1600
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
99%
#884
Athlon II N330
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
99%
#889
Core i7-7820EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
98%
#890
Celeron 7305
MSRP: $128|Avg: $107
98%
#891
E-300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $20
97%
#892
Core i7-7820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8565U

#976
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2008%
#977
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1979%
#978
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1817%
#979
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1808%
#980
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1792%
#982
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1730%
#983
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1659%
#984
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1656%
#985
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1612%
#988
Core i7-8565U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#991
Pentium 8500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
99%
#992
A6-8500P
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16
99%
#994
Core i7-4700EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $180
98%
#995
Core i3-8145UE
MSRP: $281|Avg: $50
98%
#996
Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $60
96%
#997
Core i7-3615QE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $100
96%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
96%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
96%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
96%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-8565U leads in gaming performance. However, the Microsoft SQ1 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-8565U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)
✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-8565U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Microsoft SQ1 and Core i7-8565U

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-8565U

The Core i7-8565U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,976 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Microsoft SQ1 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8565U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8565U — a 42.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8565U. The Microsoft SQ1 uses the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i7-8565U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Microsoft SQ1 scores 6,039 against the Core i7-8565U's 5,976 — a 1% lead for the Microsoft SQ1. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8565U.

FeatureMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-8565U
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3 GHz
4.6 GHz+53%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)
Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark
6,039+1%
5,976