Intel Core i7-8700K

The Intel Core i7-8700K is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor from the Coffee Lake generation, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 154 mm². It operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, and is unlocked for overclocking. Released in October 2017, this part is now end-of-life, but its benchmark results still place it at the 77th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The data shows a capable, aging processor that remains relevant for a specific set of workloads, though it now sits alongside modern budget and mobile parts in overall average score.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i7-8700K's average benchmark score is 19210, which places it in a remarkably tight cluster with its nearest rivals. The delta percentages here are minuscule in aggregate terms, but the component scores reveal where the processor's strengths and weaknesses actually lie. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 11539 multi-core and 1629 single-core. The multi-core figure is the more telling one, as it reflects the six physical cores and twelve threads being fully utilized. In Geekbench, the scores are 6535 multi-core and 1616 single-core, showing a similar ratio between the two workload types.

The PassMark suite provides a more granular view of specific tasks. The processor achieves 45892 in integer math and 28538 in floating-point math, indicating solid arithmetic throughput. Data compression scores 198951, which is a strong result, while data encryption comes in at 4776. The extended instructions score of 13514 shows that SIMD and vectorized workloads benefit from the architecture. Random string sorting hits 25270, and the find prime numbers test produces a notably low score of 39, which is a common weakness for this architecture generation. The multithread score in PassMark is 13576, while single-thread is 2720.

The aggregate deltaPct values against rivals are almost negligible: 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-12400F, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U, 0.8% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS, and 1.2% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7773X. These numbers suggest that in overall average performance, the 8700K is essentially tied with its modern competition. However, the average score masks the fact that the 8700K achieves this parity through high single-thread performance and modest multi-core throughput, whereas some rivals achieve it through opposite means. The Cinebench R20 scores of 4846 multi-core and 684 single-core reinforce this pattern; the processor is competitive per-core but does not scale as aggressively in heavily threaded tests as newer parts with comparable average scores.

Power and Thermals

The Core i7-8700K has a TDP of 95 watts. This is a moderate power envelope for a six-core part, and it carries implications for cooling requirements. The data does not include a specific cooler size or thermal solution, but a 95-watt TDP class processor can be adequately served by a capable air cooler in most chassis configurations. The processor is not a high-heat outlier, so it does not demand exotic liquid cooling for stock operation. With the multiplier unlocked, overclocking will increase power draw and heat output, which means a more robust cooling solution becomes advisable if the user pushes beyond the stock 4.70 GHz boost clock. The 14 nm process node is older and less power-efficient than newer nodes, so thermals at load will be higher than what a modern equivalent might produce at the same wattage. The die size of 154 mm² is relatively large, which helps distribute heat across the integrated heat spreader. For a builder planning a new system around this chip, a mid-range tower air cooler or a basic all-in-one liquid cooler should be sufficient to maintain reasonable temperatures under sustained multi-core loads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is instructive for real-world use. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 1629 against a multi-core score of 11539 yields a ratio of roughly 7.1:1, which is consistent with a six-core, twelve-thread processor scaling well across all cores. The Geekbench scores show a similar pattern: 1616 single-core versus 6535 multi-core, a ratio of about 4:1. The PassMark single-thread score of 2720 versus a multithread score of 13576 gives a ratio of about 5:1. These ratios indicate that the processor does not suffer from significant multi-threading efficiency losses; the twelve threads are being utilized effectively.

For gaming, the single-thread performance is the more critical metric, and the 8700K's 1629 in Cinebench R23 single-core is competitive with modern mid-range parts. Games that rely heavily on one or two threads will see performance in line with what the single-core scores suggest. For content creation and productivity, the multi-thread scores matter more. Video encoding, 3D rendering, and batch photo processing will use all twelve threads, and the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 4846 indicates that the processor can handle these tasks, though it will not match newer six-core parts with higher IPC. The data shows a balanced profile: the processor is not disproportionately strong in either direction, which makes it a generalist rather than a specialist. The low find prime numbers score of 39 is a notable outlier that suggests certain integer-heavy or branch-predictor-sensitive workloads will not perform well, but this is a narrow concern.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core i7-8700K uses the Intel Socket 1151 interface and is part of the Coffee Lake architecture. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, so this is not a platform for error-correcting memory workloads. The processor provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU itself, which is sufficient for a single graphics card and one or two NVMe drives, though lane sharing with other devices may require chipset-based connections. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, which allows for basic display output without a discrete GPU, though it is not intended for gaming or compute tasks.

The upgrade path here is limited. Socket 1151 with Coffee Lake supports only this generation and the closely related variants, so there is no path to newer architectures without a motherboard change. The processor is end-of-life, which means new units are no longer manufactured, and buyers are looking at used or existing stock. The memory support is capped at DDR4, which is now the previous generation of memory technology. The 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are also a limitation compared to newer platforms that offer Gen 4 or Gen 5 lanes, though for a single GPU setup this is rarely a bottleneck. The platform is functional for a build that does not require the latest connectivity standards, but it is not a forward-looking choice. The launch MSRP is $359, and the part number is SR3QRQNMK.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-12400F: The 8700K is 0.1% behind this rival in average score, which is effectively a tie in aggregate terms. However, the 12400F is a newer architecture with fewer threads (6 cores, 12 threads compared to the 8700K's 6 cores, 12 threads), yet it matches the 8700K in overall performance. The data indicates that the 12400F achieves this with better IPC, meaning the 8700K's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz is compensating for architectural age. In multi-threaded workloads, the 12400F likely pulls ahead, while single-thread performance is close.

Intel Core i5-1335U: The 8700K is 0.2% ahead of this mobile processor. The 1335U is a low-power laptop chip, and its ability to nearly match a desktop 95-watt part in average score is notable. The 8700K will have a significant advantage in sustained multi-core workloads, as the mobile part will throttle under load, but the single-thread scores are likely similar. This comparison shows how far mobile efficiency has come, but for desktop users, the 8700K remains the stronger choice for sustained performance.

AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS: The 8700K is 0.8% behind this rival. The 7533HS is a mobile processor with a similar core count, and the delta is small. The 8700K's higher TDP and desktop power delivery should allow it to maintain boost clocks longer, but the Ryzen part's newer architecture gives it better instructions per clock. In practice, the 8700K will match or slightly exceed the 7533HS in short bursts, but the mobile chip may win longer multi-threaded runs if its power limits allow.

AMD EPYC 7773X: The 8700K is 1.2% ahead of this server processor in average score. This is a surprising result given the EPYC's enterprise positioning, but the 7773X is likely optimized for cache-heavy workloads rather than general throughput. The 8700K's higher clock speeds give it an edge in single-thread and lightly threaded tasks, while the EPYC would dominate in heavily parallel server workloads that are not represented in the average score. For desktop use, the 8700K is clearly the more practical part.

Who Should Consider It

The Core i7-8700K is best suited for users who already own a compatible Socket 1151 motherboard and are looking for a drop-in upgrade from an older dual-core or quad-core processor. The six cores and twelve threads provide a meaningful boost for multi-threaded productivity tasks, as evidenced by the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 4846 and the PassMark multithread score of 13576. For gaming, the single-thread score of 1629 in Cinebench R23 is sufficient for most modern titles, and the integrated UHD Graphics 630 can handle basic display output, though a discrete GPU is recommended for actual gaming.

For content creation, the processor handles video editing and 3D rendering at a moderate level. The data compression score of 198951 indicates strong performance for file archiving and data manipulation tasks, while the encryption score of 4776 is lower and suggests that heavy encryption workloads would be slow. Office and web browsing workloads will be well served, as the single-thread performance is more than adequate for these tasks. Users who need the latest PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 connectivity, or who plan to upgrade to a newer platform in the near future, should look elsewhere. The 8700K is a functional, balanced processor for a legacy platform, but it is not a recommendation for new builds given its end-of-life status and the tight competition from modern parts with comparable average scores.