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Intel Core i7 8086K Review | 78 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£350
PassMark benchmark result: 14057
N. of physical cores: 6
CPU boost clock speed: 5.0 GHz

Intel Core i7 8086K review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

5.5

Good

5.1

Good

8.6

Excellent

4.9
Gaming
Score components:
30.0%
4.9
PassMark single-core benchmark score
25.0%
4.9
Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score
20.0%
7.6
CPU boost clock speed
17.0%
2.7
L3 cache
8.0%
2.6
N. of physical cores
3.3
Video editing
Score components:
45.0%
3.6
Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score
20.0%
2.6
N. of physical cores
20.0%
4.0
CPU threads
15.0%
2.7
L3 cache

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Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8086K is a limited-edition 8th Generation processor released in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the x86 architecture. Built on the 14nm++ Coffee Lake architecture, it features 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 12MB Smart Cache, operating with a 95W TDP on the LGA 1151v2 socket. Its main characteristics include being the first mainstream Intel CPU to reach a 5.0 GHz single-core Turbo frequency out of the box, paired with a 4.0 GHz base clock. The primary pros are its status as a highly binned version of the i7-8700K, which offers superior overclocking headroom for enthusiasts and industry-leading single-threaded performance for gaming and Adobe-style applications at its launch. However, its main cons include a significant price premium for marginal performance gains over the standard i7-8700K and the absence of a bundled thermal solution, necessitating high-end aftermarket cooling to manage temperatures during heavy workloads.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7 8086K

Overall score

5.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

7.6

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

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Performance

5.1

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N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Cache & Architecture

4.9

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Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

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Memory & PCIe

5.5

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DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

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Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

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Integrated Graphics

6.7

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Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

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Power & Thermal

3.4

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TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

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Intel Core i7 8086K vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i7 8086K better than the average processor?

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Unlocked for overclocking
Intel Core i7 8086K has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
What it is: Has an unlocked CPU multiplier, which makes manual CPU overclocking much easier on supported platforms.
When it matters: When you plan to push clock speeds beyond stock settings instead of leaving the processor completely at default behavior.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i7 8086K has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
16.3% higher boost clock
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.5.0 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
Supports memory overclocking
Intel Core i7 8086K supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
What it is: Allows memory speeds beyond official stock settings through manual tuning or profile-based overclocking.
When it matters: When you want to push RAM performance higher than stock support allows, especially in enthusiast or gaming builds.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i7 8086K supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
4 more CPU threads
Intel Core i7 8086K has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 16+
Intel Core i7 8086K has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.12 vs 8
45.3% higher multi-core score
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (6,966 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >8500
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (6,966 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.6,966 vs 4,793
13.4% better single-core performance
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,816 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >3200
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,816 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.2,816 vs 2,483
16.7% higher single-core score
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,717 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >2000
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,717 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.1,717 vs 1,471
Advanced security extensions
Intel Core i7 8086K provides more advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Processor).
What it is: The supported hardware security extensions provided by the processor.
When it matters: When you care about security, encryption, or enterprise features.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i7 8086K provides more advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Processor).AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Processor
Advanced security extensions
Intel Core i7 8086K provides more advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Processor).
Modern CPU socket
Intel Core i7 8086K uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1,151 vs FP2).
Unlocked for overclocking
Intel Core i7 8086K has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
16.3% higher boost clock
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
4 more CPU threads
Intel Core i7 8086K has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
45.3% higher multi-core score
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (6,966 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
13.4% better single-core performance
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,816 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
16.7% higher single-core score
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,717 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
33.5% higher PassMark score
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (14,057 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
12 higher clock multiplier
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher clock multiplier than the average processor (40 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
16.3% smaller die size
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower die size than the average processor (149 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
50% larger L3 cache
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (12 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
16.7% more L3 per core
Intel Core i7 8086K has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
Supports memory overclocking
Intel Core i7 8086K supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.

Cache & Architecture

Why is Intel Core i7 8086K worse than the average processor?

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Narrower instruction support
Intel Core i7 8086K supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
No crypto acceleration
Intel Core i7 8086K does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
2 year/s older release date
Intel Core i7 8086K has an older release date than the average processor (2018 vs 2020).
June 2018
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i7 8086K has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
40% smaller L2 cache
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
39.4% fewer transistors
Intel Core i7 8086K has fewer transistors than the average processor (3 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
Lower JEDEC memory speed
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower JEDEC memory speed than the average processor (DDR4-2666 MHz vs DDR4-3200 MHz). The average processor supports JEDEC memory speed of DDR4-3200 MHz.
9.2% lower memory bandwidth
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (41.6 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
9.1% lower memory speed
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,666 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
Narrower media codec support
Intel Core i7 8086K supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), VP8 (HW decode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
2.11x higher base power
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher base power draw than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
2.03x higher boost power
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (130 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
No configurable TDP
Intel Core i7 8086K does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
2.11x higher TDP
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher TDP than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
2.11x higher base power
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher base power draw than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher base power draw than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.95 W vs 45 W
2.03x higher boost power
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (130 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <50 W
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (130 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.130 W vs 64 W
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <10 nm
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
Narrower instruction support
Intel Core i7 8086K supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i7 8086K supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).MMX, SSE, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i7 8086K has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
Intel Core i7 8086K has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
No configurable TDP
Intel Core i7 8086K does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i7 8086K does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
2.11x higher TDP
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher TDP than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i7 8086K has a higher TDP than the average processor (95 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.95 W vs 45 W
40% smaller L2 cache
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=6 MB
Intel Core i7 8086K has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.1.5 MB vs 2.5 MB

Cache & Architecture

Integrated Graphics

Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i7 8086K and other processors

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Intel Core i7 8086K?

Highest-quality binned Coffee Lake silicon with better stability at high frequencies
First consumer processor to reach 5.0 GHz single-core turbo boost out of the box
Excellent overclocking headroom, often reaching 5.1-5.3 GHz with adequate cooling
Top-tier single-threaded performance for gaming and productivity applications
Limited edition collector's appeal, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the x86 architecture
Strong gaming performance, remaining one of the fastest chips for its generation

What customers dislike about Intel Core i7 8086K?

Premium pricing for performance that is nearly identical to the cheaper i7-8700K at stock settings
Does not include a stock cooling fan, requiring a high-end heatsink or liquid cooler
Significant power consumption and high operating temperatures when overclocked
Minimal real-world gains in multi-threaded tasks compared to standard 8th Gen flagships
Strictly limited production run of 50,000 units makes it difficult to find at MSRP
Outperformed in multi-core workloads by contemporary Ryzen competitors with higher core counts

Expert reviews

hexus.net

13/06/2018

Summary of the review

Review: Intel Core i7-8086K (14nm) - CPU

The Hexus review characterizes the Intel Core i7-8086K as a speed-binned version of the i7-8700K celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original 8086, featuring 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 95W TDP. It is the first Intel processor to hit 5.0GHz out of the box, offering superior overclocking headroom with lower voltage requirements than the 8700K. However, the chip offers only a marginal 6% performance gain at stock settings and features low value for money, with its high cost and high-speed 5.0GHz boost rarely realized in daily tasks.

techradar.com

20/07/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K review

The Intel Core i7-8086K is a limited-edition, 40th-anniversary processor capable of reaching a 5.0GHz turbo frequency out of the box, essentially acting as a "cherry-picked" version of the i7-8700K. It features the same six-core, 12-thread architecture, offering superior stability for extreme overclocking, with testing showing stable speeds up to 5.3GHz, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts and collectors. However, the chip offers no tangible performance gains in real-world gaming or applications over the cheaper 8700K, and with a $75 price premium, it is deemed a disappointing value for average users, according to TechRadar.

lanoc.org

24/08/2018

Summary of the review

Intel i7-8086K Review HEXUS.net

The LanOC review identifies the Intel i7-8086K as a highly binned, limited-edition version of the i7-8700K, marking Intel's 40th anniversary with a stock 5.0 GHz boost clock. While offering industry-leading single-core speeds and superior overclocking potential for enthusiasts, the performance gains over the 8700K are marginal in real-world applications, and the processor runs hotter. Key drawbacks include a higher price premium and a lack of a bundled cooler, making it a collector's item with limited practical advantages for the average user. For more details, visit LanOC.

hothardware.com

11/07/2018

Summary of the review

Core i7-8086K 40th Anniversary CPU Review: Intel X86 Hits 5GHz

The Intel Core i7-8086K, reviewed by HotHardware, is a 40th-anniversary limited edition 6-core/12-thread CPU that acts as a "speed-binned" version of the 8700K, featuring a 4GHz base and 5GHz single-core turbo boost. It guarantees superior "golden batch" silicon for high-frequency operation out of the box, offering higher overclocking headroom and better efficiency, though it lacks a stock cooler. While performance is excellent in single-threaded tasks and gaming, multi-threaded results are nearly identical to the lower-priced 8700K. Ultimately, the chip is a collector's item with a significant price premium that offers marginal gains for typical users.

phoronix.com

06/07/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7 8086K Linux Performance Review

The Phoronix review characterizes the Intel Core i7-8086K as a highly-binned, limited-edition 6-core/12-thread Coffee Lake processor, designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 8086 with a 5.0GHz single-core turbo. Under Linux, it offers excellent out-of-the-box support, delivering peak performance for single-threaded tasks and gaming. Key pros include superior, easy-to-achieve 5.0GHz all-core overclocking potential and strong performance-per-watt in various Linux workloads. However, the review highlights that at stock speeds, the performance advantage is minimal compared to the cheaper i7-8700K. The primary cons identified include a high launch price that offers low value for average users, restricted multi-threaded gains, and reduced efficiency when overclocked. Ultimately, the 8086K is positioned as a collector's item or enthusiast chip for those seeking binning quality rather than a necessary performance upgrade.

pcmag.com

02/10/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition Review

The Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition, a 6-core/12-thread "Coffee Lake" CPU released for the x86 architecture's 40th anniversary, is a speed-binned 8700K featuring a 4.0GHz base clock and a 5.0GHz turbo frequency. It provides superior single-core performance and acts as a "ready overclocker," appealing to enthusiasts and collectors. While performance is excellent in gaming, the chip offers negligible gains over the standard i7-8700K in multi-threaded tasks, despite carrying a premium price tag and lacking a stock cooler.

overclockers.com

27/07/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K 40th Anniversary CPU Review

The Overclockers.com review highlights the Intel Core i7-8086K as a high-performance, limited-edition chip celebrating the 40th anniversary of x86 architecture, acting as a highly binned i7-8700K with 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 5.0 GHz boost clock. It offers superior single-core performance, ideal for gaming, and boasts a roughly 60% higher probability of reaching stable 5.2 GHz overclocks, making it an appealing collector's item for enthusiasts. However, the chip comes with a significant price premium, provides marginal performance gains over the 8700K, and tends to run hotter while pulling more power under load, according to the review.

forbes.com

06/07/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition Review: Should You Buy Its First 5GHz Processor? Would you like to see a comparison table of the benchmark results...

The Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition is a 40th-anniversary, high-binned variant of the Core i7-8700K, marking Intel's first mainstream 5GHz boost clock processor. As a 50,000-unit limited release, it offers superior silicon for enhanced overclocking and top-tier single-threaded performance for gaming, justifying its value for collectors and enthusiasts. However, its significant price premium over the near-identical 8700K, coupled with high thermals requiring strong cooling, makes it a difficult recommendation for average users seeking performance per dollar. Copy

digit.in

01/08/2023

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Review : Joining the 50K exclusive club

The Intel Core i7-8086K, a limited-edition 6-core/12-thread processor celebrating the 40th anniversary of x86, is a "better-binned" i7-8700K featuring a 4.0 GHz base clock and a 5.0 GHz single-core boost. Benchmarks show marginal performance gains over the 8700K in real-world scenarios due to the shared 95W TDP, despite higher single-threaded speed. While offering excellent overclocking potential, the chip's high price premium and the imminent release of higher-core count CPUs diminish its practical value compared to its collector status. Copy

lanoc.org

24/08/2018

Summary of the review

Intel i7-8086K - LanOC Reviews

The Intel i7-8086K is a limited-edition, six-core Coffee Lake processor designed for the 40th anniversary of the 8086, featuring a 4.0 GHz base clock and a 5.0 GHz boost speed. Essentially a high-binned i7-8700K, it offers top-tier single-core performance suitable for gaming and emulation, alongside improved overclocking potential. However, the chip suffers from poor value at a $425 MSRP, runs hotter than the 8700K under load, and offers nearly identical multi-threaded performance, according to the LanOC review. Copy

bit-tech.net

29/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition Review

The bit-tech review of the Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition highlights this processor as a celebratory, speed-binned version of the i7-8700K designed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 8086, featuring a notable 5GHz single-core turbo frequency. While offering excellent single-core performance, the chip's all-core boost remains at 4.3GHz, identical to its predecessor, limiting its overall advantage for most workloads. Ultimately framed as a collector's item rather than a value proposition, the high-priced, cooler-less CPU is best suited for enthusiasts seeking superior overclocking headroom rather than general users.

tomshardware.com

27/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Review: 40 Years Of x86

The Intel Core i7-8086K, a limited-edition processor celebrating 40 years of x86 architecture, features six cores/12 threads with a notable 5.0 GHz single-core Turbo Boost, yet offers only marginal performance gains over the i7-8700K at stock settings. Pros include superior silicon quality for overclockers aiming for 5.1 GHz+ across all cores, high gaming performance, and value as a collector's item. However, cons center on its high price, minimal performance increase over cheaper alternatives, and lack of a bundled cooler, requiring robust cooling for overclocking. Copy

computerbase.de

11/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K: The Limited Edition for Hunters and Collectors

The Intel Core i7-8086K is a 40th-anniversary limited edition CPU that acts as a highly-binned, higher-clocked variant of the i7-8700K, offering 4.0 GHz base and 5.0 GHz boost speeds. While providing exceptional single-threaded performance and superior overclocking potential, the processor offers only marginal 1-2% performance gains in multi-core applications over the standard 8700K. Key pros include the out-of-the-box 5.0 GHz capability and collector value, while cons include a significant price premium and high temperatures due to lack of a soldered heatspreader. Ultimately, the review finds it to be an enthusiast product rather than a recommended value upgrade for typical users.

hardware-mag.de

05/03/2019

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition Review

The Hardware-Mag review of the Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition describes it as a 6-core/12-thread commemorative processor based on the 8th Gen Coffee Lake architecture, celebrating 40 years of x86, with an unlocked multiplier. It is noted as a highly binned version of the i7-8700K capable of reaching a 5.0 GHz turbo frequency out of the box. While offering excellent single-core performance, the i7-8086K provides nearly identical performance to the cheaper i7-8700K in gaming and multi-threaded workloads. Key pros include the out-of-the-box 5.0 GHz boost, high-quality silicon for better overclocking potential, and its appeal as a collector's item. Conversely, the primary cons are its high price premium for minimal performance gains and the lack of a bundled cooler. The review concludes that the CPU is a niche product recommended primarily for enthusiasts and collectors rather than the average user. For more details, visit Hardware-Mag. Copy

gamestar.de

24/07/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Review: Anniversary Edition with a Catch

The Intel Core i7-8086K is a limited-edition 6-core/12-thread processor commemorating the 40th anniversary of the x86 architecture, featuring a 5.0 GHz single-core boost based on the Coffee Lake architecture. Primarily a highly binned version of the i7-8700K, it offers superior overclocking potential, excellent single-threaded performance for gaming, and compatibility with existing LGA 1151 motherboards. However, the chip carries a premium price for negligible real-world performance gains over the 8700K and relies on standard thermal paste rather than solder, which can lead to high temperatures. For more details, visit GameStar. Copy

profesionalreview.com

11/08/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Review (Full Analysis)

The Intel Core i7-8086K, a 40th-anniversary limited-edition 6-core/12-thread chip, delivers 5.0 GHz single-core boost speeds and superior silicon binning compared to the i7-8700K. It offers elite single-threaded performance for gaming, though real-world gains over the standard 8700K are minimal (1–5%). While offering improved overclocking potential, its high price and significant heat output, requiring expensive cooling, limit its value to collectors rather than mainstream users.

hwready.it

15/09/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition: The first 5GHz Turbo CPU – Review

The Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition is a 6-core, 12-thread 8th-generation processor designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of x86, functioning as a high-quality "binned" version of the 8700K. It features a 4.0 GHz base clock and is the first consumer CPU to achieve a 5.0 GHz turbo frequency out of the box. Pros include excellent single-core speed, strong performance in gaming and lightly-threaded tasks, and high overclocking potential, often reaching 5.0 GHz on all cores. Cons center on the high price premium, lack of a included cooler, and high temperatures requiring robust cooling solutions. For more details, visit PCMag.

tomshw.it

28/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K Review: The Limited Edition CPU

The Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition is a 6-core, 12-thread processor celebrating the 40th anniversary of the x86 architecture, acting as a highly binned Core i7-8700K that hits 5 GHz Turbo out of the box. It offers superior single-threaded performance and excellent overclocking headroom, often reaching 5.1–5.3 GHz on all cores, though multi-threaded gains over the 8700K are minimal. While prized for its collector status and high-quality silicon, the CPU's high price premium, lack of a bundled cooler, and marginal real-world improvements over cheaper, overclocked alternatives make it a niche, luxury offering.

hardware.info

13/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel Core i7-8086K review: the best gaming CPU, but not the best value

The Intel Core i7-8086K review on Hardware.info characterizes the processor as a celebratory, high-performance "bin" of the i7-8700K, marking the 40th anniversary of the original 8086. It is praised as a top-tier gaming CPU due to achieving a 5.0 GHz boost clock out of the box, offering superior single-threaded speed, yet the review notes a minimal performance advantage over the cheaper 8700K in most real-world scenarios. Key advantages identified include superior silicon quality for better overclocking headroom and its limited-edition collector's value. Conversely, the review cites poor value due to a significant price premium, lack of a bundled cooler, and higher power consumption under load. Concluding that it is a luxury item rather than the best value option, the review recommends the i7-8086K for enthusiasts and collectors rather than average users. The standard i7-8700K is considered the more practical choice for most builders. For more details, visit Hardware.info.

tweakers.net

26/06/2018

Summary of the review

Intel's Core i7-8086K tested - Review - Tweakers

The Intel Core i7-8086K, reviewed by Tweakers, is a limited-edition processor celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 8086 chip, acting as a highly binned version of the i7-8700K to guarantee higher performance. It is notably the first Intel consumer CPU to reach a 5.0GHz single-core turbo boost out of the box, with a base clock speed increased to 4.0GHz. Pros of this processor include superior overclocking potential, as the selected silicon often achieves higher stable frequencies on all cores at lower voltages than a standard 8700K. It offers a slight edge in single-threaded tasks and gaming, making it a compelling, albeit specialized, item for enthusiasts and collectors. Conversely, the 8086K is considered a niche product due to its poor price-to-performance ratio, offering only a 1-2% real-world performance gain over the 8700K despite a higher price tag. The 5.0GHz boost applies only to a single core, and the lack of a bundled cooler necessitates further investment for high-end cooling. For more details, visit the review at Tweakers.net. Copy

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