Intel Core i7-8705G

The Intel Core i7-8705G is a mobile quad-core processor from Intel's Kaby Lake-G family, built on a 14 nm process with a 65 W TDP. It features four cores and eight threads, a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, plus an integrated Intel HD Graphics 630. Benchmark data places it at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2061. Its nearest rivals—the Intel Core i3-10105T, Core i3-N300, Core i5-1145GRE, and Xeon E3-1585 v5—all fall within a fraction of a percent of this score, making the i7-8705G a statistically tied contender in its performance class.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-8705G uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, a ball-grid array that is soldered directly to the motherboard. This is a mobile-only platform, meaning the processor cannot be removed or upgraded independently; any future CPU change requires replacing the entire board. The production status is end-of-life, so no new motherboards or system designs are expected to support it. The platform supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for consumer mobile parts. For PCIe, the CPU provides eight Gen 3 lanes—a modest allocation that limits high-end discrete GPU bandwidth but is sufficient for mainstream mobile graphics or an external GPU enclosure via a proprietary connector. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 handles display output and basic acceleration, but it is not designed for heavy gaming or compute workloads. The 14 nm process and 125 mm² die size are indicative of an older generation, but the platform's compatibility with standard DDR4 SO-DIMMs in many designs offers some flexibility in memory capacity.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-8705G is best suited for users whose workloads are multi-threaded but not extremely demanding. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6479 and Geekbench multi-core score of 3968 indicate that it can handle light video editing, 3D rendering at modest settings, and parallel compilation tasks without frustration. For gaming, the CPU's single-core performance—R23 single-core 914, Geekbench single-core 1277—is below the level expected for high-refresh-rate esports or modern AAA titles, but it can still drive older or less CPU-intensive games at playable frame rates. Office productivity, web browsing, and spreadsheet work are well within its capabilities, and the integrated graphics remove the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The 65 W TDP makes it suitable for compact laptops and mini PCs where power efficiency is a priority, though the end-of-life status means it should only be considered for existing systems or refurbished units. It is not a good choice for users planning long-term upgrades or seeking top-tier performance.

Power and Thermals

The i7-8705G has a TDP of 65 W, which defines its thermal design power envelope. This is a moderate figure for a quad-core mobile processor, implying that a capable cooling solution—such as a dual-heatpipe cooler or a well-ventilated chassis—is required to sustain boost clocks under load. The 14 nm process, while older, is not particularly power-hungry at this core count, but the 65 W class typically demands a dedicated fan in a laptop or a compact desktop cooler in an SFF system. The absence of an unlocked multiplier means no user-controlled overclocking, so thermal management is purely a matter of the system's cooling design. In practice, the CPU should maintain its 4.10 GHz boost clock in short bursts, but sustained all-core workloads may cause clock throttling if the cooling is insufficient. The integrated HD Graphics 630 adds a small amount of heat, but it is negligible compared to the CPU cores.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-10105T: The i3-10105T has an identical average benchmark score of 2061, with a deltaPct of 0. This means the two processors perform exactly the same in the aggregated benchmark. The i3-10105T is a desktop part, while the i7-8705G is mobile, so the comparison highlights how the older Kaby Lake-G architecture holds up against a newer desktop i3.

Intel Core i3-N300: Also scoring 2061 with a deltaPct of 0, the i3-N300 matches the i7-8705G exactly. The i3-N300 is a newer Alder Lake-N part with efficiency cores, yet the i7-8705G's four full cores and eight threads produce the same average performance. This suggests that the i7-8705G's raw throughput is still competitive in its class.

Intel Core i5-1145GRE: The i5-1145GRE scores 2058, which is 0.1% lower than the i7-8705G's 2061. This is a negligible difference, effectively a tie. The i5-1145GRE is a Tiger Lake part with a newer architecture, but the i7-8705G holds its own in the average score, likely due to its higher boost clock and eight threads.

Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5: The Xeon scores 2067, which is 0.3% higher than the i7-8705G. Again, this is a marginal gap. The Xeon is a server-oriented part with similar core/thread counts, but the i7-8705G is only a fraction behind, indicating that the Kaby Lake-G design is not significantly disadvantaged in this metric.

Benchmark Performance

The i7-8705G's benchmark scores reveal a processor that is balanced but not exceptional. In Cinebench R15, it achieves 653 multi-core and 91 single-core. The R20 run yields 2721 multi-core and 383 single-core. In R23, the scores are 6479 multi-core and 914 single-core. Geekbench reports 3968 multi-core and 1277 single-core. These numbers are all below the thresholds for high-end desktop parts, but they are respectable for a 65 W mobile quad-core.

The average benchmark score of 2061 is the basis for its ranking at the 47th percentile, meaning it outperforms 47% of all CPUs in the database. Compared to its nearest rivals, the i7-8705G is exactly tied with the i3-10105T and i3-N300, 0.1% ahead of the i5-1145GRE, and 0.3% behind the Xeon E3-1585 v5. These deltas are within measurement error, so the i7-8705G can be considered performance-equivalent to all four rivals. The practical takeaway is that the i7-8705G occupies a narrow performance band where architectural differences between generations and segments do not translate into meaningful benchmark advantages.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-8705G use?

A: It uses Intel BGA 2270, a soldered ball-grid array socket designed for mobile platforms.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the process node?

A: It is built on Intel's 14 nm process.

Q: How much L3 cache does it have?

A: It has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes Intel HD Graphics 630.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i7-8705G's single-thread performance is notably lower than its multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 914 while the multi-core score is 6479; in Geekbench, the single-core score is 1277 and the multi-core score is 3968. The multi-core scores are substantially higher, reflecting the benefit of eight threads across four cores. However, the single-core scores are modest, indicating that the Kaby Lake architecture's per-core efficiency is limited compared to newer designs. For real workloads, this means that applications which rely heavily on a single thread—such as older games, some spreadsheet macros, or certain legacy software—will see lower performance than what the multi-core numbers might suggest. Conversely, multi-threaded tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and parallel data processing will utilize the full thread count and approach the multi-core scores. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz helps in short single-thread bursts, but sustained single-thread workloads may not hold that frequency. Overall, the i7-8705G is a processor that rewards multi-threaded usage while offering only moderate single-thread capability, a trade-off that aligns with its position as a mid-range mobile part.