Intel Core i7-10700 vs Intel Core i7-8700K Comparison

FAQ

Q: How close are these two processors in overall benchmark performance?

A: The data shows they are nearly identical on average. The Intel Core i7-8700K has an average benchmark score of 19238, while the Intel Core i7-10700 scores 19145. The delta between them is a mere 0.5%, with the 8700K leading.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700K wins every Cinebench comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 11527 against 10910 for the 10700, a 5.7% advantage. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the 8700K leading by 5.6% in R23 single-core.

Q: Does the extra core count of the 10700 translate to wins in PassMark tests?

A: Yes, it does. The 10700 has 8 cores and 16 threads compared to 6 cores and 12 threads on the 8700K. This core advantage shows up clearly in PassMark, where the 10700 wins 7 of the 9 compared PassMark tests, including a 27.1% lead in integer math and a 26.5% lead in floating-point math.

Q: What about Geekbench scores?

A: The 8700K dominates Geekbench. In multi-core, it scores 7140 versus 5092 for the 10700, a 40.2% margin. In single-core, the 8700K leads 1575 to 1275, a 23.5% difference. This is the largest win for the 8700K in any benchmark category.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700 has a higher boost clock at 4.80 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz on the 8700K. However, the 8700K has a significantly higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 2.90 GHz on the 10700.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each?

A: The 8700K uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 10700 uses Intel Socket 1200. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel microarchitectures. The Intel Core i7-8700K is built on Coffee Lake, while the Intel Core i7-10700 uses Comet Lake. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, and both are produced by Intel's own foundry. The die size for the 8700K is listed as 154 mm², while no die size figure is provided for the 10700.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The 8700K offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 10700 doubles the core count to 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache configurations also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is larger on the 10700 at 16 MB versus 12 MB on the 8700K.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The 8700K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The 10700 has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz. This suggests the 10700 relies more on boosting behavior to reach its performance potential, while the 8700K maintains a higher baseline frequency.

Memory support is similar, with both supporting DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration. Memory bandwidth differs slightly: the 8700K is rated at 42.7 GB/s, while the 10700 achieves 46.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both processors provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are identical, with both featuring UHD Graphics 630.

The 8700K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the 10700 does not. The production status also differs: the 8700K is end-of-life, whereas the 10700 remains active. The 8700K was released on 2017-10-04, while the 10700 launched on 2020-04-29. The 8700K has a launch MSRP of $359; no launch MSRP is available for the 10700.

Where Each One Wins

The 8700K wins in specific synthetic single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads. It takes every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, across R15, R20, and R23. It also wins Geekbench by massive margins, with a 40.2% lead in multi-core and a 23.5% lead in single-core. In PassMark physics, the 8700K edges out the 10700 by 2.1%, scoring 811 versus 794.

The 10700 wins in most PassMark compute workloads. It leads in data compression by 21.1%, data encryption by 11.2%, extended instructions by 16.4%, and prime number finding by 17%. The largest wins come in floating-point math (26.5% ahead) and integer math (27.1% ahead). It also wins PassMark multithread by 16% and random string sorting by 20%. In single-thread PassMark, the 10700 is 5.9% ahead.

The pattern suggests the 10700 is better suited for sustained compute-heavy tasks that scale with core count and cache. The 8700K appears stronger in workloads that favor its higher base clock and specific architectural optimizations, as evidenced by its Cinebench and Geekbench results.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8700K | Intel Core i7-10700 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Comet Lake |

| Die Size | 154 mm² | Not specified |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 46.9 GB/s |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

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

| Release Date | 2017-10-04 | 2020-04-29 |

| Launch MSRP | $359 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR3QRQNMK | SRH6Y |

Both processors share the same L1 and L2 cache sizes, process node, foundry, memory type, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe configuration, and integrated graphics. The 10700 has a higher TDP rating, while the 8700K has a lower one. The 8700K is the only one with an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are split almost evenly, with the 8700K winning 9 tests and the 10700 winning 10 tests. The winning margins, however, are not symmetrical.

The 8700K's victories are concentrated in Cinebench and Geekbench. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1161 against 1099, a 5.6% lead. In R15 single-core, it leads 163 to 155, a 5.2% margin. R20 multi-core shows 4841 versus 4582, a 5.7% lead, and R20 single-core shows 683 versus 646, also 5.7%. R23 multi-core continues the trend: 11527 versus 10910, a 5.7% lead. R23 single-core shows 1627 versus 1540, a 5.6% margin. Geekbench is where the 8700K truly separates itself. The multi-core score of 7140 versus 5092 represents a 40.2% advantage, and the single-core score of 1575 versus 1275 is a 23.5% lead. The 8700K also wins PassMark physics with 811 versus 794, a 2.1% margin.

The 10700's wins are all in PassMark tests, and they are generally larger in magnitude. Data compression shows 252113 versus 198951, a 21.1% lead. Data encryption shows 5379 versus 4776, an 11.2% margin. Extended instructions score 16160 against 13514, a 16.4% lead. Finding prime numbers yields 47 versus 39, a 17% margin. Floating-point math shows 38823 versus 28538, a 26.5% lead. Integer math is the largest win at 62988 versus 45892, a 27.1% margin. Multithread scores 16161 versus 13576, a 16% lead. Random string sorting shows 31585 versus 25270, a 20% margin. Single-thread PassMark shows 2891 versus 2720, a 5.9% lead.

The overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the 8700K at 19238 and the 10700 at 19145. Both processors sit at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals list confirms this closeness: the 8700K's closest rival includes the 10700 with a delta of 0.5%, and the 10700's closest rival includes the 8700K with a delta of -0.5%.

The Verdict

The data presents a balanced picture with a slight edge in different directions depending on the workload. The Intel Core i7-8700K wins in Cinebench and Geekbench across the board, with particularly strong showings in Geekbench multi-core (40.2% ahead) and single-core (23.5% ahead). It also has a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and an unlocked multiplier, making it the more flexible choice for overclocking. Its end-of-life status and older release date are drawbacks, but its benchmark scores do not reflect obsolescence.

The Intel Core i7-10700 counters with wins in most PassMark compute tests, often by wide margins. Its 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with 16 MB of L3 cache, give it a clear advantage in integer math (27.1% ahead), floating-point math (26.5% ahead), and data compression (21.1% ahead). It also has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, a lower TDP of 65 W, and remains in active production.

For users focused on the specific workloads represented by Cinebench and Geekbench, the 8700K is the stronger performer. For users whose tasks resemble the PassMark compute suite—encryption, compression, math-heavy processing—the 10700 holds the advantage. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, so the choice hinges on which benchmark family better represents the intended use case. The 8700K offers overclocking headroom; the 10700 offers more cores, more cache, and a current production status. Both are solid desktop processors at the 73rd percentile, and the data does not declare a single outright winner.