Intel Core 7 160UL vs NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 160UL and the NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) occupy entirely different positions in the database. The Intel part is a fully benchmarked desktop processor with an active record of measured scores across Cinebench and Passmark workloads. The DGX Spark, by contrast, has no recorded benchmark entries in the database, which means its performance profile is defined by specifications rather than test results.

The Intel Core 7 160UL wins in any workload that has been measured, simply because it is the only one of the two with recorded data. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9386 and single-core score of 1325 place it in the 69th percentile of all CPUs tracked. The DGX Spark sits at the 50th percentile, but that figure is based on its specification-derived standing, not on any direct benchmark output.

For use-case splits, the Intel part shows strength in integer math (Passmark integer score of 47515) and floating-point math (25670), both of which indicate general-purpose compute capability. The DGX Spark, with its GB10 codename and integrated GB20B "Blackwell" graphics, appears oriented toward accelerated workloads, but the database contains no Passmark or Cinebench numbers to confirm this. The absence of data means the DGX Spark cannot be credited with a win in any measured category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge sharply at the architectural level. The Intel Core 7 160UL uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, with a Raptor Lake-PS codename and a Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) generation designation. It is built for the Intel Socket 1700 platform and fits the Desktop market segment. The DGX Spark uses the GB10 codename with a Spark (GB10) generation label, fabricated on a 3 nm TSMC process with a die size of 208 mm². Its market segment is Mobile, and it has no socket listed.

Core counts differ substantially. The Intel part provides 10 cores and 12 threads, meaning four of its cores do not have hyper-threading. The DGX Spark provides 20 cores and 20 threads, indicating no simultaneous multi-threading at all. Clock behavior also diverges: the Intel chip runs at a 1.80 GHz base and boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the DGX Spark runs at 2.80 GHz base and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The Intel part has a higher boost ceiling, but the DGX Spark has a higher base clock.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Intel Core 7 160UL has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The DGX Spark has 128 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3. Per-core cache favors the DGX Spark, but total L3 favors the Intel part. Memory support also differs: the Intel chip uses DDR4 or DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while the DGX Spark uses LPDDR5X in quad-channel mode with a recorded memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The Intel part has no recorded memory bandwidth figure.

Power and connectivity further separate them. The Intel Core 7 160UL has a 15 W TDP and PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The DGX Spark has a 140 W TDP and no PCIe listing. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while the DGX Spark integrates GB20B "Blackwell" graphics. The Intel part is unlocked? No, its multiplier is locked. The DGX Spark is also locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for these two items. The winsA and winsB fields are both zero, and the headToHeadBenchmarks array is empty. This means there is no direct comparative measurement available. The only performance data belongs to the Intel Core 7 160UL, which has a full suite of 17 benchmark scores.

The Intel part's Cinebench results show a multi-core R15 score of 946 and a single-core R15 score of 133. In R20, the multi-core score reaches 3942 and the single-core score 556. In R23, the multi-core score is 9386 and the single-core score 1325. These numbers are internally consistent: the multi-core to single-core ratio grows from roughly 7.1 in R15 to 7.1 in R23, indicating that scaling across cores is stable.

Passmark results for the Intel part include a multi-thread score of 11043 and a single-thread score of 3391. The data compression score is 108953, data encryption is 7146, extended instructions are 5832, and find prime numbers is only 50. Floating-point math scores 25670, integer math scores 47515, physics scores 819, and random string sorting scores 11843.

The nearest rivals for the Intel part, based on average benchmark score, are the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 14277 (0.3% below the Intel part), the Intel Core i5-10400F at 14185 (0.3% above), the Intel Xeon 6756E at 14163 (0.5% above), and the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U at 14320 (0.6% below). The Intel Core 7 160UL's average benchmark score is 14232, placing it essentially at parity with these four rivals. The deltas are small, within 0.6%, so the data shows no meaningful separation among these five processors in average score.

For the DGX Spark, there are no rivals listed and no average benchmark score. Its percentile of 50 indicates a mid-pack standing, but without measured scores, that figure carries limited analytical weight.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core 7 160UL has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the DGX Spark boosts to 4.00 GHz. The Intel part has a 1.20 GHz higher boost clock.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL has an average benchmark score of 14232 and sits in the 69th percentile. The DGX Spark has an average benchmark score of 0 and sits in the 50th percentile, because no benchmark scores are recorded for it.

Q: What is the process node for each?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL uses a 10 nm Intel process. The DGX Spark uses a 3 nm TSMC process.

Q: Which processor has higher per-core L2 cache?

A: The DGX Spark has 2 MB of L2 per core, while the Intel Core 7 160UL has 1.25 MB of L2 per core.

Q: What integrated graphics does each use?

A: The Intel Core 7 160UL uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The DGX Spark uses GB20B "Blackwell" graphics.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 7 160UL is the only one of the two with measurable performance, and its scores place it at the 69th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, Intel Core i5-10400F, Intel Xeon 6756E, and AMD Ryzen 5 3501U, all sit within 0.6% of its average score, meaning the Intel part delivers performance consistent with that mid-range group.

The DGX Spark cannot be evaluated on the same basis. With no benchmark scores, no average score, and no rival comparisons, its 50th percentile standing is a placeholder rather than a measured result. Its specifications do indicate a different design intent: 20 cores, a 2.80 GHz base clock, quad-channel LPDDR5X memory at 273.1 GB/s, and a 3 nm TSMC process. Those features suggest a compute-oriented device, but the database does not yet contain evidence of its actual performance.

For a buyer choosing strictly from the data, the Intel Core 7 160UL is the only option with a verified performance record. Its 10 cores, 12 threads, and 5.20 GHz boost clock provide a concrete baseline. The DGX Spark, at a launch MSRP of $3999, offers specifications that imply higher raw core count and memory bandwidth, but no measured scores exist to confirm any advantage. The verdict, based on available facts, is that the Intel part is the better-documented processor, while the DGX Spark remains an unverified entry in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification field except for production status (both Active) and unlocked multiplier (both locked). The table below summarizes only the fields where the two diverge.

| Field | Intel Core 7 160UL | NVIDIA DGX Spark (MediaTek AHJ11488B) |

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

| Cores | 10 | 20 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base clock | 1.80 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 140 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | None |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | None |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-PS | GB10 |

| Generation | Core 7 (Raptor Lake-PS) | Spark (GB10) |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | None | 208 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 128 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 12 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | None | 273.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only) | N/A |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | GB20B "Blackwell" |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-04-07 | 2025-10-14 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $3999 |

| Part number | Unknown | DSE1-275-A1 |

| Average benchmark score | 14232 | 0 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 69 | 50 |

The Intel part has a higher boost clock and more L3 cache, while the DGX Spark has more cores, a higher base clock, a smaller process node, and a substantially higher memory bandwidth figure. The Intel part is the only one with recorded benchmark scores.