Intel Core i3-14100F vs Intel Core i7-8700K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-14100F dominates single-thread workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 1847 versus 1627 for the Core i7-8700K, a difference of 11.9%. PassMark single-thread results show an even larger gap: 3778 versus 2720, a 28% advantage.

Q: Does the Core i7-8700K win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 4 of the 19 head-to-head tests. These include PassMark data compression (198951 vs 176106, 13% ahead), PassMark extended instructions (13514 vs 11984, 12.8% ahead), PassMark integer math (45892 vs 45357, 1.2% ahead), and PassMark random string sorting (25270 vs 17596, 43.6% ahead).

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Core i7-8700K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i3-14100F has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite this disadvantage, the i3-14100F still wins the majority of multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in process node between the two?

A: The Core i7-8700K is built on Intel's 14 nm process node, while the Core i3-14100F uses a 10 nm node. The die sizes are 154 mm² for the i7-8700K and 163 mm² for the i3-14100F.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core i7-8700K supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel memory bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-14100F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-8700K includes UHD Graphics 630. The Core i3-14100F has no integrated graphics, as indicated by the "N/A" entry. This is a meaningful difference for systems built without a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different eras of Intel desktop design. The Core i7-8700K is a Coffee Lake part from 2017, built on the 14 nm node with a 154 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform and features 6 cores with 12 threads. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Core i3-14100F is a Raptor Lake Refresh part, released in 2024, built on the 10 nm node with a 163 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and features 4 cores with 8 threads. The cache hierarchy is different: 80 KB of L1 per core and a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, still with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L2 allocation is a notable architectural shift that helps offset the lower core count.

The memory controllers also differ. The i7-8700K is limited to DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i3-14100F supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it a wider compatibility range, though its bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database. ECC memory support also differs: the i3-14100F supports ECC, while the i7-8700K does not.

PCIe connectivity is another clear generational difference. The i7-8700K provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-14100F provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This means the newer processor has access to significantly higher bandwidth for compatible GPUs and storage devices.

The i7-8700K has an unlocked multiplier and includes UHD Graphics 630. The i3-14100F is multiplier-locked and has no integrated graphics. The i7-8700K is end-of-life, while the i3-14100F remains active in production. The TDP figures also differ: 95 W for the i7-8700K versus 58 W for the i3-14100F. Finally, the i7-8700K has a launch MSRP of $359, while the i3-14100F has a launch MSRP of $109.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a clear story: the Core i3-14100F wins 15 of 19 tests, and the Core i7-8700K wins 4. The margins matter as much as the direction.

In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i3-14100F is consistently ahead. Multi-core scores show an 11.9% advantage in every Cinebench generation tested: 1318 vs 1161 in R15, 5495 vs 4841 in R20, and 13084 vs 11527 in R23. Single-core Cinebench results show the same 11.9% edge: 186 vs 163 in R15, 775 vs 683 in R20, and 1847 vs 1627 in R23. This consistency across three software versions indicates a stable performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

GeekBench results favor the i3-14100F as well, but with different margins. Multi-core shows a modest 6% lead (7598 vs 7140), while single-core shows a much larger 25.2% lead (2105 vs 1575). The single-core gap in GeekBench is more than double the Cinebench single-core gap, suggesting the newer architecture's per-core efficiency is particularly visible in this test.

PassMark results are more varied. The i3-14100F wins data encryption by a massive 46.5% (8922 vs 4776). It also wins find prime numbers by 36.1% (61 vs 39), single-thread by 28% (3778 vs 2720), physics by 24.7% (1077 vs 811), floating point math by 19.3% (35370 vs 28538), and multithread by 12% (15420 vs 13576). Integer math is nearly tied, with the i7-8700K ahead by just 1.2% (45892 vs 45357).

The i7-8700K's wins are concentrated in specific areas. Random string sorting is its largest victory: 25270 vs 17596, a 43.6% lead. Data compression goes to the i7-8700K by 13% (198951 vs 176106). Extended instructions go to the i7-8700K by 12.8% (13514 vs 11984). These results suggest the older chip retains an edge in certain memory-heavy or instruction-specific workloads, even though it loses the broader multi-threaded and single-threaded competitions.

The overall average benchmark scores in the database reflect this balance. The i7-8700K has an average benchmark score of 19238 and sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. The i3-14100F has an average benchmark score of 18519 and sits at the 72nd percentile. The i7-8700K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10700 (0.5% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS (0.6% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (0.7% behind), and the Intel Core i5-1345U (0.9% behind). The i3-14100F's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13420H (0% difference), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300GE (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i3-13100 (0.8% ahead), and the Intel Core 7 360 (0.8% ahead).

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Core i3-14100F as the stronger performer in most scenarios. It wins the majority of benchmark tests, including all Cinebench versions, both GeekBench tests, and the majority of PassMark tests. Its single-thread advantage is substantial, especially in GeekBench single-core (25.2%) and PassMark single-thread (28%). For workloads that depend on per-core performance, such as everyday desktop responsiveness, gaming, and lightly threaded applications, the i3-14100F is the better choice.

The i7-8700K still has its niches. It wins random string sorting by 43.6%, data compression by 13%, and extended instructions by 12.8%. Users running those specific workloads may see better results on the older chip. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration also provides more parallel hardware, even though the i3-14100F's efficiency makes up for the lower core count in most multi-threaded tests. The i7-8700K also includes integrated graphics, which matters for systems without a discrete GPU. Its unlocked multiplier is another feature absent from the i3-14100F.

For most buyers, the i3-14100F is the superior processor. It wins more tests, draws less power (58 W TDP versus 95 W), supports DDR5, has PCIe Gen 5, and remains an active production part. The i7-8700K is end-of-life, locked to DDR4, and limited to PCIe Gen 3. The only reasons to choose it are the specific workloads it wins, the need for integrated graphics, or the unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Even then, the overall benchmark average favors the i7-8700K slightly (19238 vs 18519), but that average is pulled up by its strong showings in a few specialized PassMark tests. In the broader picture, the i3-14100F is the more balanced and capable processor.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 6 (i7-8700K) vs 4 (i3-14100F)
• Threads: 12 (i7-8700K) vs 8 (i3-14100F)
• Base Clock: 3.70 GHz (i7-8700K) vs 3.50 GHz (i3-14100F)
• Boost Clock: 4.70 GHz (both)
• TDP: 95 W (i7-8700K) vs 58 W (i3-14100F)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 (i7-8700K) vs Intel Socket 1700 (i3-14100F)
• Architecture: Coffee Lake (i7-8700K) vs Raptor Lake (i3-14100F)
• Codename: Coffee Lake (i7-8700K) vs Raptor Lake-R (i3-14100F)
• Process Node: 14 nm (i7-8700K) vs 10 nm (i3-14100F)
• Die Size: 154 mm² (i7-8700K) vs 163 mm² (i3-14100F)
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core (i7-8700K) vs 80 KB per core (i3-14100F)
• L2 Cache: 256 KB per core (i7-8700K) vs 1.25 MB per core (i3-14100F)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (i7-8700K) vs DDR4, DDR5 (i3-14100F)
• Memory Bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s (i7-8700K) vs not recorded (i3-14100F)
• ECC Memory: false (i7-8700K) vs true (i3-14100F)
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (i7-8700K) vs Gen 5, 16 Lanes (i3-14100F)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 630 (i7-8700K) vs N/A (i3-14100F)
• Production Status: End-of-life (i7-8700K) vs Active (i3-14100F)
• Release Date: 2017-10-04 (i7-8700K) vs 2024-01-07 (i3-14100F)
• Launch MSRP: $359 (i7-8700K) vs $109 (i3-14100F)
• Multiplier Unlocked: true (i7-8700K) vs false (i3-14100F)
• Part Number: SR3QRQNMK (i7-8700K) vs SRMX2 (i3-14100F)