Intel Core i7-8706G

The Intel Core i7-8706G is a mobile processor from Intel’s Kaby Lake generation, introduced on 2018-01-31. It has 4 cores, 8 threads, a 3.10 GHz base clock, a 4.10 GHz boost clock, a 65 W TDP, and integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. Its average benchmark score is 1872, placing it at the 44th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals are the Core i5-8305G, Xeon D-1531, Core i3-9100F, and Core i3-9350K, and the i7-8706G sits within a narrow band: 0.3% above two of them, 0.5% below one, and 0.6% below the other.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

Benchmark results show a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 91 in single-core and 652 in multi-core. The R20 run repeats that shape: 383 single-core and 2718 multi-core. In R23 the part posts 913 single-core and 6472 multi-core. The multi-core figures are consistently much larger than the single-core figures, and that pattern appears across all three Cinebench versions. For workloads that scale across threads, the processor can put its 8 threads to work, which is why the multi-core scores are so much higher. For workloads that rely on one or two threads, the single-core results define the ceiling, and those scores are comparatively modest.

This split matters for real-world use. A render, a video encode, or a batch photo export can use multiple threads, so the multi-core results are the relevant measure. An application that is lightly threaded, such as many productivity tasks or older games, will be limited by the 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost behavior reflected in the single-core scores. The consistent gap between single-core and multi-core results suggests that the processor behaves predictably: it does not have unusually strong single-thread headroom, but it uses its thread count effectively when asked to do parallel work. The four physical cores mean that multi-threaded gains come from the 8 threads rather than from a large number of independent cores.

How It Compares

The Core i5-8305G is the closest rival in the data, with an average score of 1867. The i7-8706G is 0.3% above it, so the two are effectively indistinguishable in aggregate performance. The delta is small enough that neither part has a meaningful scoring advantage.

The Xeon D-1531 averages 1866, also 0.3% below the i7-8706G. Despite the Xeon naming, the aggregate result lands in the same range as the mobile Core i7. The Xeon D-1531 is not faster in these average-score terms; the i7-8706G holds a negligible lead.

The Core i3-9100F averages 1881, which is 0.5% higher than the i7-8706G. This is a notable reversal because the i7-branded part falls behind a Core i3 in aggregate score. The delta is still small, but the direction favors the Core i3-9100F.

The Core i3-9350K averages 1883, making it the highest-scoring rival in the group. The i7-8706G is 0.6% behind it. Once again, the margin is tiny, yet the i3-9350K sits at the top of this cluster, while the i7-8706G is mid-pack among the four nearest rivals.

Who Should Consider It

For gaming, the single-core scores are the more relevant reference. A R23 single-core score of 913 and an R20 single-core score of 383 place this chip at a modest level for frame-rate-sensitive workloads. It is not a high-end gaming part, but the integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL does mean graphics output is available without a separate GPU.

For creation workloads, the multi-core results tell a more positive story. The R20 multi-core score of 2718 and R23 multi-core score of 6472 show a processor that can handle parallel rendering, encoding, or compilation tasks. However, the 4 cores and the 44th percentile against all CPUs indicate that it is not a workstation-class substitute. Users who regularly run long all-core workloads will find the multi-core throughput acceptable for mainstream mobile work, not exceptional.

For office and general productivity, the combination of 4 cores, 8 threads, 3.10 GHz base clock, and 4.10 GHz boost clock is a reasonable fit. The 8 MB shared L3 cache and per-core cache structure support everyday workloads without demanding a high-end cooling solution. The mobile market segment and BGA socket also point to laptop implementations rather than desktop builds. The i7-8706G is best suited to users who need a balanced mobile processor with integrated graphics, enough threads for occasional parallel jobs, and no expectation of top-level single-thread performance.

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core i7-8706G?

A: It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a 3.10 GHz base clock and a 4.10 GHz boost clock.

Q: Does the i7-8706G support ECC memory?

A: No. The memory support is DDR4, and ECC memory is not listed as supported.

Q: What socket does the i7-8706G use?

A: It uses Intel BGA 2270, and the market segment is Mobile.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i7-8706G include?

A: It includes Radeon RX Vega M GL integrated graphics.

Q: How does the i7-8706G compare to the Core i3-9100F?

A: The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1872, while the Core i3-9100F averages 1881, giving the i7-8706G a delta of -0.5%.

Q: What is the i7-8706G’s percentile rank?

A: It is at the 44th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1872.

Power and Thermals

The i7-8706G carries a 65 W TDP, which places it in a moderate power class. This is not an extreme-power chip, so the implied cooling requirement is a mainstream mobile thermal solution rather than a high-end desktop cooler. Because the Radeon RX Vega M GL is integrated, the cooling system also has to account for graphics heat, but the data only specifies the CPU TDP at 65 W.

The 65 W rating is consistent with the mobile market segment and the BGA 2270 platform. A compact chassis with a dedicated heat pipe or similar solution should be sufficient for the rated power envelope. The data does not include sustained clock measurements or thermal test results, so the exact cooling behavior under load cannot be quantified. What can be stated is that the i7-8706G belongs to the 65 W thermal class, which is a common mainstream notebook category.

Platform and Compatibility

The platform is defined by Intel BGA 2270, a socket used in mobile systems. The processor is in the Mobile market segment, and its production status is Active. Memory support is DDR4, with ECC not supported. The integrated graphics is Radeon RX Vega M GL. The multiplier is locked, so the data does not support user overclocking.

The architecture is Kaby Lake, with the Kaby Lake-G codename and a 14 nm process node. The cache hierarchy is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. No PCIe specification is listed in the data, so no PCIe compatibility claim can be made from these records. The BGA 2270 socket, combined with the Mobile market segment, implies that the processor is mounted to the system board and is not intended for a desktop-style upgrade path.

Benchmark Performance

The overall benchmark position is clear: the i7-8706G occupies a narrow band between 1866 and 1883 in aggregate average score. Its own average is 1872. That puts it 0.3% above the Xeon D-1531’s 1866 and 0.3% above the Core i5-8305G’s 1867. Against the Core i3-9100F’s 1881, the i7-8706G is 0.5% lower. Against the Core i3-9350K’s 1883, it is 0.6% lower. These deltas are small, and the data positions the i7-8706G as a close peer of all four rivals rather than as a clear winner or loser.

The Cinebench results reinforce that position. In R15, the multi-core score of 652 dwarfs the single-core score of 91. In R20, the multi-core score of 2718 dwarfs the single-core score of 383. In R23, the multi-core score of 6472 dwarfs the single-core score of 913. The repetition across R15, R20, and R23 shows consistent thread scaling behavior across different Cinebench versions.

The 44th percentile against all CPUs provides the broader context. While the i7-8706G matches its immediate rivals, most processors in the database sit above it. The average benchmark score of 1872 is therefore best read as a mainstream result. The processor is competitive within its nearest peer group, and its multi-core scores are the stronger part of its profile. The single-core scores are less impressive, which limits it in lightly threaded tasks. Overall, the benchmark data describes a balanced, mid-tier mobile processor with a modest single-thread ceiling and usable multi-thread throughput.