Intel Core i7-7740X vs Intel Core i7-8700T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two processors, with the Intel Core i7-8700T dominating the Cinebench suite while the Intel Core i7-7740X takes the Geekbench tests. The most striking result is in Geekbench single-core, where the 7740X posts a score of 1619 against the 8700T's 1343, a 17% advantage. This is the largest margin in any test and showcases the raw clock speed advantage of the 7740X. In Geekbench multi-core, the 7740X also leads, scoring 5246 versus 5168, a narrower 1.5% edge.

The Cinebench results tell the opposite story. Across all three versions of Cinebench, the 8700T holds a consistent lead of roughly 5.4% to 5.5% in every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 8700T scores 876 against 831 for the 7740X, a 5.4% margin. Single-core R15 shows the 8700T at 123 versus 117, a 5.1% edge. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multi-core scores are 3653 for the 8700T and 3465 for the 7740X (5.4% delta), while single-core scores are 515 and 488 (5.5% delta). In Cinebench R23, the 8700T reaches 8698 multi-core and 1228 single-core, while the 7740X manages 8250 and 1164 respectively, again with deltas of 5.4% and 5.5%.

Overall, the 8700T wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, while the 7740X wins two. The average benchmark score for the 8700T is 2701, placing it at the 50th percentile of all CPUs. The 7740X's average is 2648, also at the 50th percentile. The 8700T's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-1185G7E, scores an average of 2703, a negligible 0.1% difference. The 7740X's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2274G at 2643, a 0.2% difference.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different Intel generations and platforms, which explains much of the performance divergence. The Intel Core i7-8700T is built on Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, with a die size of 154 mm². It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its thermal design power is 35 watts, a remarkably low figure for a desktop processor. The 7740X, in contrast, uses Kaby Lake architecture, also on a 14 nm process, but its die size is not recorded. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a much higher base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. Its TDP is 112 watts, more than three times that of the 8700T.

The cache layouts differ as well. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is 12 MB on the 8700T versus 8 MB on the 7740X. This larger L3 cache is a significant advantage for the 8700T in multi-threaded workloads that benefit from more shared data storage.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The 8700T uses dual-channel DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The 7740X also supports DDR4 but uses a quad-channel memory bus, which theoretically allows for higher bandwidth, though no specific figure is recorded for it. The 8700T has a PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 7740X has PCIe Gen 3 with an unspecified lane count.

The 8700T includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the 7740X has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the 8700T a more flexible option for systems without a discrete GPU. The 7740X, however, has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the 8700T is locked. The 7740X is also listed as production status "Active," while the 8700T is "End-of-life." The 8700T was released in April 2018, while the 7740X came earlier, in June 2017.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8700T is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads, which are heavily multi-threaded and cache-sensitive. Its six cores and twelve threads, combined with the larger 12 MB L3 cache, give it a consistent edge of about 5.4% across all Cinebench versions. This makes it the better choice for content creation tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and any application that scales well with core count. The low 35-watt TDP also makes it suitable for compact builds or systems where thermal output and power consumption are concerns, though the data does not measure power efficiency directly.

The Intel Core i7-7740X wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where its 17% lead is substantial. This suggests it has an advantage in lightly threaded applications and tasks that respond strongly to high clock speeds, such as certain legacy software, some games, and general desktop responsiveness. The quad-channel memory bus could also benefit memory-intensive workloads, though the database does not include a specific bandwidth measurement for this chip. The unlocked multiplier is a notable feature for enthusiasts who plan to overclock, potentially extending its lead in single-core performance further.

In multi-core Geekbench, the 7740X's 1.5% win is modest and likely reflects the higher clock speeds offsetting the core count disadvantage. The 8700T's wins in Cinebench are more decisive in percentage terms, but the 7740X's Geekbench single-core victory is the most dramatic margin of any test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700T has an average benchmark score of 2701, while the Intel Core i7-7740X has an average of 2648.

Q: How large is the single-core performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The 7740X scores 1619 in Geekbench single-core, which is 17% higher than the 8700T's 1343.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The 8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 7740X has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: No. The 8700T uses a dual-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the 7740X uses a quad-channel bus with no recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: Is the integrated graphics available on both chips?

A: No. The 8700T has UHD Graphics 630, while the 7740X has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The 7740X has an unlocked multiplier, while the 8700T does not.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-8700T is the better overall performer in rendering-style workloads, winning six of eight benchmarks and taking a 5.4% lead in every Cinebench test. Its six cores, twelve threads, and 12 MB of L3 cache provide a solid foundation for multi-threaded applications, and its 35-watt TDP suggests it can be used in systems where the 7740X's 112-watt TDP would be impractical. The 8700T is also the only one of the two with integrated graphics, which adds flexibility.

The Intel Core i7-7740X is the choice for users who prioritize single-threaded speed. Its 17% advantage in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in the comparison, and its higher base and boost clocks (4.30 GHz and 4.60 GHz, respectively) support that result. The quad-channel memory bus and unlocked multiplier are features that the 8700T lacks, though the database does not provide a bandwidth measurement for the 7740X to quantify the memory advantage.

For a general-purpose desktop CPU that handles multi-threaded productivity tasks well, the 8700T is the clear pick from the data. For a system built around single-thread performance and overclocking, the 7740X has the edge. The production status also matters: the 8700T is end-of-life, while the 7740X is listed as active, which may influence availability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8700T | Intel Core i7-7740X |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 112 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Coffee Lake | Kaby Lake-X |

| Generation | Core i7 (Coffee Lake) | Core i7 (X-Series 7th Gen) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 154 mm² | Not recorded |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | None |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU) | Gen 3 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

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

| Release Date | April 2018 | June 2017 |