CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8700 and Intel Core i7-9700 are two end-of-life desktop processors built on the same fundamental architecture, yet they deliver distinctly different performance profiles due to contrasting core and thread configurations. The i7-9700 takes the lead in the majority of benchmark comparisons, winning 15 of 19 head-to-head tests, while the older i7-8700 retains an edge in a handful of specific workloads. This analysis breaks down the architectural shifts, specification differences, and benchmark results to clarify which processor suits which type of workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests, scoring 1128 in R15, 4704 in R20, and 11200 in R23, compared to the i7-8700's 1091, 4548, and 10829 respectively. The i7-9700 also leads Geekbench multicore with 6800 versus 6519.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-core performance?

A: The i7-9700 holds a consistent advantage in single-core tests. It scores 159 in Cinebench R15, 664 in R20, and 1581 in R23, while the i7-8700 trails with 153, 641, and 1528. The gap is smaller in Geekbench singlecore, where the i7-9700 scores 1560 against 1538.

Q: Are there any workloads where the i7-8700 outperforms the i7-9700?

A: Yes, the i7-8700 wins four specific PassMark tests: data compression (187009 vs 181411), data encryption (4488 vs 4322), integer math (44881 vs 40138), and random string sorting (23963 vs 23482).

Q: What is the core and thread difference between the two?

A: The i7-8700 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-9700 has 8 cores and 8 threads. This means the i7-8700 uses Hyper-Threading, giving it more threads than cores, whereas the i7-9700 has more physical cores but no Hyper-Threading.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i7-8700 has an average benchmark score of 18223, while the i7-9700's average is 18180. Despite the i7-9700 winning more head-to-head tests, the i7-8700 has a marginally higher average score.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket and architecture?

A: Both use the Intel Socket 1151 and are based on the Coffee Lake architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process. However, the i7-9700 is part of the Coffee Lake Refresh generation.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Coffee Lake architecture and are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they diverge significantly in their core configurations. The i7-8700 is a 6-core, 12-thread part, leveraging Hyper-Threading to process up to twelve threads simultaneously. In contrast, the i7-9700 is an 8-core, 8-thread processor, which omits Hyper-Threading entirely and relies on additional physical cores instead. This architectural choice means the i7-9700 sacrifices thread count for raw core count, a trade-off that proves beneficial in certain multi-threaded workloads but less so in others.

The die size also differs: the i7-8700 measures 154 mm², while the i7-9700 is larger at 180.3 mm², reflecting the addition of two more physical cores. Both CPUs have identical cache hierarchies per core, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, and share 12 MB of L3 cache. The L1 and L2 cache sizes are per-core, so the total L2 cache is larger on the i7-9700 due to its additional cores, though the shared L3 remains the same.

Clock speeds vary between the two. The i7-8700 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The i7-9700 starts at a lower 3.00 GHz base but boosts higher to 4.70 GHz. This higher boost clock contributes to the i7-9700's superior single-core performance, while the lower base clock is offset by the addition of two more cores. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics are identical: both feature UHD Graphics 630. Memory support is also the same, with dual-channel DDR4 and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is unchanged, offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7-9700 is part of the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, while the i7-8700 belongs to the original Coffee Lake generation, though both are now end-of-life products.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear overall winner in the Intel Core i7-9700, which secures victory in 15 of 19 head-to-head comparisons. Its strongest advantages appear in compute-heavy tasks: it is 27.1% ahead in PassMark find prime numbers, 18.6% ahead in floating point math, and 14.2% ahead in extended instructions. The i7-9700 also leads consistently in all Cinebench tests, with a 3.3% margin in multicore and a 3.4% to 3.8% margin in singlecore tests across R15, R20, and R23. For users prioritizing raw computational throughput, particularly in physics simulations, floating point operations, or instruction-heavy workloads, the i7-9700 is the stronger choice.

However, the i7-8700 still holds relevance for specific tasks. It wins decisively in integer math, scoring 11.8% higher than the i7-9700, and takes smaller victories in data compression (3.1%), data encryption (3.8%), and random string sorting (2%). These workloads benefit from the i7-8700's 12 threads, which allow better parallelization of certain integer and encryption algorithms. Users whose primary workloads involve data compression, encryption, or integer-heavy calculations may find the i7-8700 more suitable.

The i7-9700 is the pick for general productivity, scientific computing, and any application that scales with core count, given its 8 physical cores. The i7-8700 is the pick for specialized tasks that favor higher thread counts, such as data compression and encryption. Both CPUs sit at the 72nd percentile when compared to all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 18223 for the i7-8700 versus 18180 for the i7-9700, indicating that the choice depends entirely on workload characteristics rather than overall capability.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The most significant difference is in core count: the i7-8700 has 6 cores while the i7-9700 has 8 cores. Thread count is also different, with the i7-8700 having 12 threads versus 8 threads on the i7-9700. Base clocks differ, with the i7-8700 running at 3.20 GHz and the i7-9700 at 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks are reversed in this comparison, with the i7-8700 boosting to 4.60 GHz and the i7-9700 boosting higher to 4.70 GHz.

The die size is another distinguishing factor, measuring 154 mm² for the i7-8700 and 180.3 mm² for the i7-9700. The generation differs as well, with the i7-8700 being part of the original Core i7 (Coffee Lake) generation and the i7-9700 part of the Core i7 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation. Release dates are separated by roughly a year and a half, with the i7-8700 launching on 2017-10-04 and the i7-9700 on 2019-04-22. The launch MSRP also differs: the i7-8700 launched at $303 and the i7-9700 at $333. Part numbers are unique to each, with the i7-8700 using SR3QS and the i7-9700 using SRG13.

The remaining specifications are identical: both use the Intel Socket 1151, Coffee Lake architecture, 14 nm process, 65 W TDP, dual-channel DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, 12 MB shared L3 cache, no ECC support, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and UHD Graphics 630. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-9700 dominates the Cinebench suite across the board. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1128 against the i7-8700's 1091, a 3.3% advantage. The singlecore R15 test shows a 3.8% lead, with scores of 159 versus 153. These margins persist in newer versions: R20 multicore shows 4704 versus 4548 (3.3%), R20 singlecore shows 664 versus 641 (3.5%), R23 multicore shows 11200 versus 10829 (3.3%), and R23 singlecore shows 1581 versus 1528 (3.4%). Geekbench results follow the same pattern, with the i7-9700 leading multicore by 4.1% (6800 vs 6519) and singlecore by 1.4% (1560 vs 1538).

The gap widens significantly in certain PassMark workloads. The i7-9700 is 27.1% ahead in find prime numbers (48 vs 35), 18.6% ahead in floating point math (34187 vs 27839), and 14.2% ahead in extended instructions (14488 vs 12432). It also leads in physics with a 10.7% margin (820 vs 732) and in multithread by 3.5% (13223 vs 12756). Single-thread performance favors the i7-9700 by 4.6% (2756 vs 2629).

The i7-8700 fights back in four areas. Its largest win is in integer math, where it scores 44881 versus 40138, an 11.8% advantage. It also wins in data compression with 187009 versus 181411 (3.1%), data encryption with 4488 versus 4322 (3.8%), and random string sorting with 23963 versus 23482 (2%). These wins highlight the i7-8700's strength in workloads that benefit from its 12 threads, particularly where integer operations and data manipulation are involved. Despite losing the majority of tests, the i7-8700's victory in integer math is substantial enough to keep its average benchmark score competitive, trailing the i7-9700 by only 43 points overall.