CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8750H and Intel Core 7 160UL represent two very different approaches to processing power, separated by six years of architecture evolution. The i7-8750H is a 45W mobile part from the Coffee Lake era, built on a 14 nm process, while the Core 7 160UL is a 15W desktop chip on Raptor Lake's 10 nm node. The data shows the newer chip wins 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, but the older i7-8750H scores decisive victories in three specific workloads. This comparison is not a simple generational sweep; it is a study in how architecture, cache layout, and core counts shape real-world performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has 10 cores, while the Intel Core i7-8750H has 6 cores. Both support 12 threads, meaning the Core 7 160UL uses a hybrid arrangement to reach that thread count, whereas the i7-8750H relies on 6 physical cores with hyper-threading.

Q: How do their single-threaded performances compare?

A: The Core 7 160UL is significantly faster in single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1325 versus 1168 for the i7-8750H, a delta of -11.8%. The gap widens in PassMark single-thread, where the Core 7 160UL scores 3391 compared to 2276, a 32.9% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 7 160UL has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is substantially higher than the i7-8750H's 4.10 GHz. The base clocks are 1.80 GHz and 2.20 GHz, respectively.

Q: What are the differences in integrated graphics?

A: The Core 7 160UL features Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, a much more capable integrated solution than the UHD 630 found in the i7-8750H. This is a major feature gap for systems without a discrete GPU.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core 7 160UL has a higher average benchmark score of 14232, placing it in the 69th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-8750H averages 13868, which sits in the 68th percentile.

Q: In which workloads does the older i7-8750H win?

A: The i7-8750H wins in PassMark data compression (139418 vs 108953, a 28% lead), extended instructions (8637 vs 5832, a 48.1% lead), and random string sorting (18622 vs 11843, a 57.2% lead).

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies. The i7-8750H is built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, with a die size of 149 mm². Its core configuration is uniform: 6 cores, all identical, with a 2.20 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The cache hierarchy is 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3.

The Core 7 160UL uses the newer Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process. It has 10 cores with 12 threads, which indicates a hybrid design mixing performance and efficiency cores. Its cache layout is different: 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with the same 12 MB of shared L3. The base clock is lower at 1.80 GHz, but the boost clock is much higher at 5.20 GHz, allowing for aggressive single-thread performance when needed.

Memory support is another major split. The i7-8750H only supports DDR4, while the Core 7 160UL supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus. The Core 7 160UL also brings PCIe Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes, a feature absent from the older chip's specs. The integrated GPU is a generational leap: UHD 630 on the i7-8750H versus Iris Xe Graphics 96EU on the Core 7 160UL.

Power and socket are also starkly different. The i7-8750H is a 45W mobile part on Intel BGA 1440, targeting laptops. The Core 7 160UL is a 15W desktop chip on Intel Socket 1700, designed for low-power or embedded desktop systems. The i7-8750H is end-of-life with a release date of April 2018, while the Core 7 160UL is active and was released in April 2024.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear: the Intel Core 7 160UL is the faster processor in the majority of tests. It wins all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core runs. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 9386 versus 8274 for the i7-8750H, an 11.8% improvement. The Core 7 160UL also wins in PassMark multithread (11043 vs 9799, 11.3% ahead) and integer math (47515 vs 35629, a 25% lead). Its single-thread advantage is even more pronounced, with a 32.9% lead in PassMark single-thread.

However, the i7-8750H has specific strengths that cannot be ignored. It dominates in data compression (28% faster), extended instructions (48.1% faster), and random string sorting (57.2% faster). These are specialized workloads where the older architecture's design appears more efficient.

For a general-purpose user, the Core 7 160UL is the better choice. Its higher boost clock, newer architecture, and superior integrated graphics make it more versatile for everyday tasks, content creation, and even light gaming without a discrete GPU. The i7-8750H would only be preferable if your primary workload is one of the three specific PassMark tests it wins, such as heavy data compression or sorting tasks. Given that the Core 7 160UL is also a 15W part versus 45W, it achieves higher performance with a fraction of the power budget, making it the more practical modern option.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8750H | Intel Core 7 160UL |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | April 2018 | April 2024 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core 7 160UL wins every Cinebench test by a consistent margin of approximately 12%. In R15 multi-core, it scores 946 versus 834, an 11.8% lead. In R15 single-core, it scores 133 versus 117, a 12% lead. This pattern repeats in R20 (3942 vs 3475 multi, 556 vs 490 single) and R23 (9386 vs 8274 multi, 1325 vs 1168 single). The consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in both single and multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The PassMark results are more mixed. The Core 7 160UL wins data encryption by a massive margin: 7146 versus 3388, a 52.6% lead. It also wins find prime numbers (50 vs 27, a 46% lead), floating point math (25670 vs 22179, 13.6% ahead), integer math (47515 vs 35629, 25% ahead), physics (819 vs 604, 26.3% ahead), and multithread (11043 vs 9799, 11.3% ahead). Its single-thread score of 3391 is 32.9% higher than the i7-8750H's 2276.

The i7-8750H's three wins are notable for their magnitude. Data compression is a 28% win (139418 vs 108953). Extended instructions show a 48.1% lead (8637 vs 5832). Random string sorting is the biggest gap at 57.2% (18622 vs 11843). These are not marginal victories; they indicate that the i7-8750H's execution engine is better tuned for these specific operations, despite being an older design.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 160UL is the clear winner for most computing tasks. It excels in all rendering benchmarks, making it better for video editing, 3D modeling, and any workload that leverages Cinebench-style multi-threading. Its single-thread dominance means faster application launch times, better responsiveness in web browsers, and improved performance in lightly-threaded games. The data encryption and integer math wins suggest it is better suited for security-related tasks, financial modeling, and general productivity. Its superior integrated graphics also make it the only viable option for a system without a discrete GPU, as the Iris Xe 96EU is far more capable than the UHD 630.

The Intel Core i7-8750H wins in data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. This makes it the better choice for users whose primary tasks involve file archiving, database operations, or any workload that relies heavily on string manipulation and specialized instruction sets. The 57.2% lead in random string sorting is particularly significant for applications like sorting algorithms, text processing, or certain types of data analytics. If your workflow is dominated by these specific operations, the i7-8750H's performance in these areas could outweigh its general-purpose deficits, though its higher power draw and older architecture limit its appeal for modern, sustained workloads.