Core i7-8650U
CPU·Budget

Core i7-8650U

Intel

PassMark

6,194

21 August 2017 (8 years ago)
15 Watt
Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)

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.

Overview

The Core i7-8650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,194 points. Launch price was $409.

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core i7-8650U across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080p
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high143 FPS
ultra119 FPS
1440p
low155 FPS
medium135 FPS
high113 FPS
ultra93 FPS
4k
low104 FPS
medium79 FPS
high66 FPS
ultra57 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low149 FPS
medium126 FPS
high119 FPS
ultra102 FPS
1440p
low133 FPS
medium113 FPS
high106 FPS
ultra92 FPS
4k
low105 FPS
medium91 FPS
high79 FPS
ultra66 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
1440p
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
4k
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
1440p
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
4k
low155 FPS
medium155 FPS
high155 FPS
ultra155 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low149 FPS
medium129 FPS
high89 FPS
ultra80 FPS
1440p
low115 FPS
medium99 FPS
high75 FPS
ultra66 FPS
4k
low76 FPS
medium66 FPS
high54 FPS
ultra38 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low155 FPS
medium139 FPS
high111 FPS
ultra87 FPS
1440p
low147 FPS
medium118 FPS
high93 FPS
ultra73 FPS
4k
low69 FPS
medium60 FPS
high47 FPS
ultra37 FPS
Rust

Rust

1080p
low147 FPS
medium124 FPS
high97 FPS
ultra89 FPS
1440p
low123 FPS
medium105 FPS
high82 FPS
ultra68 FPS
4k
low44 FPS
medium35 FPS
high29 FPS
ultra20 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Starfield

Starfield

1080p
low154 FPS
medium141 FPS
high119 FPS
ultra85 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS
medium127 FPS
high109 FPS
ultra77 FPS
4k
low80 FPS
medium72 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra44 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core i7-8650U specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8650U is a 4-core / 8-thread processor based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 4.2 GHz from a base frequency of 1.9 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 8 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256K (per core) of L2 cache and 64K (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 6,194, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationCore i7-8650U
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 8T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost4.2 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency1.9 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient14 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores8 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256K (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64K (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor123 mm2
Bus SpeedData bus frequency4 GT/s
Max TemperatureMaximum safe operating temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleYes
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score6,194
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8650U fits into the BGA1356 socket and supports PCIe 3.0. It supports DDR4 memory.

SpecificationCore i7-8650U
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorLaptop
SeriesProduct familyIntel Core i7
SocketMotherboard socket requiredBGA1356
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 3.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR4
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1 (Uniprocessor)
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core i7-8650U has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationCore i7-8650U
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload15 Watt
Max TemperatureMaximum safe junction temperature (Tjmax)100 °C
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #1693 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore i7-8650U
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$409
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#1693
Release DateLaunch date21 August 2017 (8 years ago)
Release Year2017
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

8 specs

TypeLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$409
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date21 August 2017 (8 years ago)
Architecture CodenameKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
Performance Ranking Position1693

Technical Specifications

16 specs

Cores4
Threads8
Bus TypeOPI
Die Size123 mm2
L1 Cache64K (per core)
L2 Cache256K (per core)
L3 Cache8 MB (total)
Bus Speed4 GT/s
Multiplier19
Max Frequency4.2 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency1.9 GHz
Process Technology14 nm
Max Core Temperature100 °C
Windows 11 Compatible+
Max Case Temperature (TCase)72 °C

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketBGA1356
PCIe GenerationPCIe 3.0
Power Consumption (TDP)15 Watt
Max Processors In Config1 (Uniprocessor)

Memory

4 specs

RAM TypesDDR4
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth38.397 GB/s
Max Memory Capacity32 GB

Our Recommendation for Core i7-8650U

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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