Intel Core i7-8670T

The Intel Core i7-8670T is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor built on the Coffee Lake architecture and the 14 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, targeting a specific segment of the market with its 35 W TDP class. The data indicates this is an end-of-life product, released on 2018-08-31, and it occupies the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, suggesting it sits precisely in the middle of the performance distribution.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The 2.30 GHz base clock is notably conservative, while the 3.70 GHz boost clock represents a significant 1.40 GHz headroom. This wide gap between base and boost frequencies is characteristic of a processor designed to ramp up for short bursts of intensive work while maintaining low sustained power draw. For single-threaded workloads, the boost clock of 3.70 GHz is the primary driver, and this frequency is adequate for everyday tasks like office productivity, web browsing, and light content consumption where only one or two cores are active.

Multi-threaded behavior is where the architecture's 6 cores and 12 threads come into play. The processor can sustain its boost clock across multiple cores when thermal and power headroom allows, but the 35 W TDP class fundamentally limits how long it can maintain peak frequencies under full load. In heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or software compilation, the processor will likely settle at a frequency lower than 3.70 GHz to stay within its power envelope. The 12 MB of shared L3 cache helps mitigate the frequency drop by reducing memory access latency, but the data clearly suggests this is not a chip for sustained multi-core crunching; rather, it balances responsiveness in single-threaded tasks with adequate throughput in moderately threaded applications.

Power and Thermals

The 35 W TDP class is the defining characteristic of this processor's power profile. This places it in the ultra-low-power segment for desktop CPUs, a category typically served by compact, low-profile cooling solutions. The benchmarks data shows no average benchmark score, but the TDP strongly implies that a stock cooler rated for this class is sufficient; no high-end liquid cooling or large tower air cooler is necessary. The 14 nm process node, while mature, does not inherently guarantee low power draw, but the conservative base clock of 2.30 GHz is clearly set to keep typical operating temperatures modest.

For system builders, this TDP class means the processor can be paired with small form factor cases and quiet cooling solutions without thermal throttling concerns in normal use. The data does not provide specific temperature figures, but the power envelope suggests that sustained all-core loads will generate manageable heat, though the boost clock of 3.70 GHz will likely be intermittent rather than continuous under such conditions. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means no manual overclocking headroom, so the thermal design is effectively fixed by Intel's specifications. In a dense office environment or a compact HTPC, this processor's thermal profile is a clear advantage over higher-TDP desktop parts.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals, and the benchmarks array is empty, meaning there is no comparative performance data available in the database. The percentileVsAllCpus value of 50 indicates that, among all CPUs tracked, this processor sits at the exact median, outperforming half of all recorded processors and trailing the other half. Without specific rival scores or deltaPct values, any comparison to other named products must be made qualitatively based on the architectural facts provided.

The processor is a Coffee Lake generation Core i7, which places it above Core i5 and below Core i9 in Intel's typical desktop hierarchy, but no rival names are supplied for direct analysis. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration is a standard mainstream enthusiast layout, and the 35 W TDP is unusual for this core count, suggesting it is a power-optimized variant rather than a performance-optimized one. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 provides a baseline display output capability, which is consistent with processors that do not require a discrete GPU for basic operation. The absence of rival data means the 50th percentile ranking is the only positional reference point, and it indicates a processor that is neither a high-end performer nor a low-end budget chip.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming workloads, the processor's 3.70 GHz boost clock is adequate for most modern titles, but the 6-core, 12-thread configuration and 35 W TDP suggest it is not optimized for high-refresh-rate gaming where sustained all-core boost is critical. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 means it can run older or less demanding games without a discrete GPU, but serious gamers would pair this with a dedicated graphics card, at which point the processor's power-oriented design becomes a limiting factor for maximum frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios.

For content creation, the 12 threads and 12 MB of L3 cache provide reasonable multi-threaded performance for photo editing, light video editing, and 3D modeling, but the 35 W TDP will cap sustained throughput in long render sessions. Users who occasionally render videos or batch-process images would find this adequate, but full-time creators would likely prefer a higher-TDP processor. For office and general productivity, this processor is excellent: the low power draw enables quiet, cool-running systems, and the boost clock ensures snappy response in spreadsheet, document, and browsing tasks. The DDR4 dual-channel memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for typical office workloads, and the PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU supports a single high-end graphics card or multiple NVMe drives without bottlenecking.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data is sparse, with an avgBenchmarkScore of 0 and an empty benchmarks array, which means there are no absolute performance numbers to analyze. The percentileVsAllCpus of 50 is the sole quantitative performance indicator, signifying that this processor outperforms exactly 50% of all CPUs in the database. This is a statistical midpoint, not a measure of absolute speed. In practical terms, this percentile suggests that for any given workload, this processor will deliver performance that is neither notably fast nor notably slow relative to the entire spectrum of CPUs.

Given the absence of rival deltaPct values, no precise percentage comparisons can be made. However, the architectural data allows for qualitative inference: the 3.70 GHz boost clock is competitive with many mainstream desktop processors, but the 2.30 GHz base clock is lower than most non-T variants, which typically have base clocks above 3.0 GHz. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration is a strong point, matching or exceeding many similarly aged desktop processors, but the 35 W TDP means that in sustained multi-threaded benchmarks, this processor will likely trail higher-TDP counterparts with similar core counts. The 12 MB of L3 cache is a moderate size, adequate for most workloads but not exceptional. The memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s is standard for dual-channel DDR4, and the PCIe Gen 3, 16 lanes is typical for this generation. Overall, the benchmark position of the 50th percentile is consistent with a processor that offers balanced, mid-tier performance with a strong emphasis on power efficiency rather than raw speed.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel Socket 1151, which is a mature platform with broad motherboard availability. The architecture is Coffee Lake, which requires a 300-series chipset for full compatibility, though the data does not specify chipset details. The memory support is DDR4 in dual-channel configuration, with a theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, which is standard for this generation. ECC memory is not supported, meaning this is not suited for error-correcting workstation builds. The PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which allows for one full-bandwidth graphics card or multiple storage devices, but the lane count is fixed and cannot be expanded beyond 16 without a chipset that provides additional lanes.

The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, which provides basic display output and hardware video decoding but is not suitable for gaming beyond casual titles. The socket and platform are end-of-life, meaning the upgrade path is limited to other Coffee Lake processors on the same socket, but the 35 W TDP class is relatively rare among desktop parts, so direct replacements with similar power characteristics are scarce. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, so no overclocking is possible, which further constrains its long-term performance flexibility. The part number is SR3XH, and the production status is end-of-life, so availability is limited to remaining stock or the used market. For a system builder, this platform offers a stable, well-understood base with adequate I/O for a mainstream desktop, but the lack of ECC support and the fixed 16 CPU PCIe lanes are notable limitations for workstation or heavy I/O scenarios.