OVERALL

ALTERNATIVES

SPECS

VS AVERAGE

REVIEWS

Intel Core i7-8700 review: 74 specs compared

Avg. price:~£250PassMark multi-core score:12746N. of physical cores:6CPU boost clock speed:4.6 GHzCPU socket:LGA1151TDP (Thermal design power):65 W

Intel Core i7-8700 Review: Compare 74 technical specifications and 10 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

Intel Core i7-8700

7.1/10

▲Better than 62% of processors

7.7

▲Better than 71%

5.8

▲Better than 51%

8.0

▲Better than 72%

?

Not in any best-of list yet

4.6
Gaming
Gaming
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Measures single-core benchmark performance, peak boost clock speeds, and fast L3 cache sizing critical for high frame rates.
When it matters
When you want to play demanding mobile games, 3D titles, or run graphics-intensive apps smoothly.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
30.0%
4.8
PassMark single-core score
25.0%
4.6
Geekbench 6 single-core score
20.0%
6.8
CPU boost clock speed
17.0%
2.1
L3 cache
8.0%
3.6
N. of physical cores
6.0
Video editing
Video editing
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Assesses multi-core benchmark throughput, total physical core and thread count, and cache bandwidth for rapid video rendering.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this processors meets your specific video editing needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
45.0%
?
Geekbench 6 multi-core score
20.0%
3.6
N. of physical cores
20.0%
6.6
CPU threads
15.0%
2.1
L3 cache

Where to buy

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best rankings

What reviewers say about the Intel Core i7-8700

Based on 4 · 6

Reviewers like its gaming performance and generous cores and threads, but it can't really be overclocked and the cooling disappoints.

Praised

Criticised

Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Intel Core i7-8700

Based on 94 owners sharing their experience in online comments

68%positive13%mixed19%negative

It delivers lasting, affordable gaming performance, but many owners struggle with high temperatures and the stock cooler.

What owners like

Owners with RTX 3060 or 3070 cards run most recent games smoothly at 1440p, and many reach 100+ fps at 1080p.23
Owners build budget PCs by buying a used i7-8700 cheaply and pairing it with an older GTX 1080 or 1070 card for 1080p gaming.13
Owners say it stays solid for years, still running AAA games and racing sims well after about six to eight years of use.13
Owners reach stable 4.3 to 4.4 GHz all-core clocks by raising the base clock and using a good air or water cooler.11
Lowering core voltage in the BIOS or fitting a better cooler brings temperatures down; one tuned chip peaked near 73°C under full load.5
Owners upgrading from an i5-8400 saw roughly 20% better 1% lows and about 10% higher average frame rates.5
Owners say it trails newer Intel generations by under 30% over four generations, mostly because of RAM speed.4
With good cooling and a slight base clock boost, owners report Cinebench scores of about 1400 to 1480.3

What owners dislike

With the stock cooler the chip can reach 90 to 100°C under heavy load and throttle; a tower or AIO cooler keeps it cooler.20
With stronger GPUs like an RX 6700 XT, the chip bottlenecks some games such as GTA 5 and Starfield, capping frame rates.8
Under load with the stock cooler, clocks can fall from about 4.3 GHz to around 3.2 to 3.7 GHz as the chip overheats.6
Stock voltages can run very high, around 1.4 V even at idle; lowering them cut about 20 to 25 W at full load.3
Upgrading is limited because LGA1151 motherboards are hard to find, so a dead board can force a full platform change.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7-8700

7.1

Show more

Hide

Platform

7.7

Show more

Hide

Processor type

CPU socket

Chipset

CPU architecture

Instruction sets

Show more

Performance

5.8

Show more

Hide

N. of physical cores

CPU threads

CPU boost clock speed

CPU base clock speed

PassMark multi-core score

Show more

What reviewers say

Architecture

5.0

Show more

Hide

Semiconductor size

Foundry

L3 cache

L2 cache

L1 cache

Show more

Memory & PCIe

5.7

Show more

Hide

DDR memory version

Maximum memory speed

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

Show more

Integrated graphics

6.9

Show more

Hide

Integrated graphics

Integrated GPU model

Integrated GPU execution units

Integrated GPU base frequency

Integrated media encoders/decoders

Show more

Power & Thermal

6.9

Show more

Hide

TDP (Thermal design power)

Base power (PL1)

Boost power (PL2)

?

Tau (power duration limit)

Configurable TDP

Show more

What reviewers say

Intel Core i7-8700 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i7-8700 better than the average processor?

Show more

Hide

2 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
6 vs 4
Includes a cooler
This processor includes a cooler, while the average processor does not. 26.9% of processors include a cooler.
Supports memory overclocking
This processor supports memory overclocking, while the average processor does not. 43.9% of processors support memory overclocking.
19.4% higher review score
Reviews score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 72% of models
80%
7.8
Average grade
20%
8.7
Popularity
Grades by review (10)
5 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
8.0 vs 6.7
4 more CPU threads
This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
12 vs 8
2x more memory capacity
This processor has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
128 GB vs 64 GB
4.5% higher boost clock
This processor has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (4.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
4.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
Higher base clock
This processor has a higher base clock than the average processor (6x3.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
6x3.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz

19.4% higher review score
Reviews score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 72% of models
80%
7.8
Average grade
20%
8.7
Popularity
Grades by review (10)
5 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
8.0 vs 6.7
18.1% higher sentiment score
8.5 vs 7.2

Modern CPU socket
This processor uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1151 vs FP5).
LGA1151 vs FP5

2 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
6 vs 4
4 more CPU threads
This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
12 vs 8
4.5% higher boost clock
This processor has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (4.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
4.6 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
Higher base clock
This processor has a higher base clock than the average processor (6x3.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
6x3.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
24.8% better multi-core performance
This processor has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (3,500 vs 2,804.5). The average processor scores 2,804.5 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
3,500 vs 2,804.5

8.1% more L3 per core
This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
2 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
More advanced microarchitecture
This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Coffee Lake vs Kaby Lake).
Coffee Lake vs Kaby Lake

Supports memory overclocking
This processor supports memory overclocking, while the average processor does not. 43.9% of processors support memory overclocking.
2x more memory capacity
This processor has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
128 GB vs 64 GB

Includes a cooler
This processor includes a cooler, while the average processor does not. 26.9% of processors include a cooler.

Why is Intel Core i7-8700 worse than the average processor?

Show more

Hide

No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
16.7% larger process node
This processor 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
44.4% higher base power
This processor has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
65 W vs 45 W
50% less L2 per core
This processor 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
Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
Narrower instruction support
This processor supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, 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, AMD-V).
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, 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, AMD-V
50% smaller L2 cache
This processor has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1.5 MB vs 3 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 3 MB.
1.5 MB vs 3 MB
44.4% higher TDP
This processor has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
65 W vs 45 W

Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, Secure Key, SGX, TXT, MPX, OS Guard, Boot Guard vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
Narrower instruction support
This processor supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, 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, AMD-V).
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, 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, AMD-V
3 years older release date
This processor has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).
October 2017
2017 vs 2020
More limited crypto acceleration
This processor offers more limited crypto acceleration than the average processor (AES vs AES, SHA).
AES vs AES, SHA

16.7% larger process node
This processor 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
50% less L2 per core
This processor 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
50% smaller L2 cache
This processor has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1.5 MB vs 3 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 3 MB.
1.5 MB vs 3 MB

16.7% lower memory speed
This processor has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,666 MHz vs 3,200 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 3,200 MHz.
2,666 MHz vs 3,200 MHz
Limited PCIe bifurcation
This processor supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4).
x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4
11.3% lower memory bandwidth
This processor has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (41.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.
41.6 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s
Lower JEDEC memory speed
This processor 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.
DDR4-2,666 MHz vs DDR4-3,200 MHz

Narrower media codec support
This processor supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)).
H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode), JPEG (HW decode/encode)

No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
44.4% higher base power
This processor has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
65 W vs 45 W
44.4% higher TDP
This processor has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
65 W vs 45 W

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0

Bams

≈ estimated

16/12/2024

Upgrade build · gaming test in Forza Horizon 5

Verdict

Intel Core i7-8700 is a very satisfying upgrade that runs games far better than the old chip.

9.0

RandomGaminginHD

≈ estimated

02/10/2023

Hands-on review · gaming tests and cooler temps

Verdict

Intel Core i7-8700 is a solid choice for budget builds, though its stock cooler is loud.

8.0

Hardware Unboxed

≈ estimated

01/04/2018

Hands-on testing · boost clocks and stock cooler

Verdict

Intel Core i7-8700 lives up to its advertised clocks, but the boxed cooler is the real weak point.

8.0

RandomGaminginHD

≈ estimated

04/10/2023

Head-to-head comparison · gaming and rendering tests

Verdict

Intel Core i7-8700 is still a solid choice for the money, though a newer i5 is a strong alternative.

9.0

PC Centric

≈ estimated

05/10/2017

Hands-on review · gaming and productivity benchmarks

Verdict

Intel Core i7-8700 is a strong all-round chip, better in productivity and close to the 7700K in games.

Overview video

Not graded

Not graded

Overview video

Not graded

Shop video

Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0

tomshardware.com

✓ explicit

25/06/2018

Intel Core i7-8700 Review: Stock Cooler Falls Flat

Benchmark review · Stock cooler test

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8700 performs close to the i7-8700K, but its bundled cooler can't handle its heat, so you need a better cooler to reach top speeds.

8.0

tekeverything.com

✓ explicit

26/01/2018

Intel Core i7-8700 Review & Benchmarks

Hands-on test · Power and cooling

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8700 is a strong six-core chip for gaming and work, but it runs hot in small builds, so pick a bigger cooler.

6.0

rockpapershotgun.com

≈ estimated

04/07/2019

Intel Core i7-8700 review

Gaming review · Coffee Lake CPU

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8700 beats AMD's Ryzen 7 chips in games, but its lead over the i5-9600K is slim, so the i5 suits most gamers.

7.0

tomshw.it

≈ estimated

27/06/2018

Intel Core i7-8700 Review - Tom's Hardware

Lab review · Turbo frequency tests

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8700 is a six-core chip that matches the 8700K in most tasks, but its lack of overclocking and a weak bundled cooler limit it.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i7-8700

Excellent multitasking performance due to 6 cores and 12 threads with Hyper-Threading technology.
Strong gaming performance that closely matches the pricier i7-8700K at stock speeds.
Efficient power consumption with a relatively low 65W TDP compared to 'K' series models.
Great value for users who do not plan on overclocking their system.
Significant performance leap over previous quad-core generations like the i7-7700.
Reliable for productivity tasks such as photo and 4K video editing.

What customers don't like about Intel Core i7-8700

Locked multiplier prevents any manual overclocking for enthusiasts.
The included stock Intel cooler is widely considered inadequate and often leads to thermal throttling under heavy loads.
Requires a 300-series chipset motherboard, offering no backward compatibility with older LGA 1151 boards.
Can run quite hot during intensive tasks, often necessitating the purchase of an aftermarket cooling solution.
Limited RAM speed support (officially up to 2666MHz) on certain motherboard chipsets.

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8700 is an 8th Generation Coffee Lake desktop processor featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with a 65W TDP. It operates at a 3.20 GHz base frequency and can reach a max turbo frequency of 4.60 GHz, supported by 12 MB of Intel Smart Cache and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. Main pros include its strong multi-threaded performance for productivity tasks like video editing, its inclusion of a stock cooler, and its high power efficiency compared to unlocked 'K' variants. Major cons include a locked multiplier that prevents overclocking, a reliance on the older 14nm++ process, and a stock cooler that often struggles to maintain peak performance under heavy sustained loads.

Best alternatives

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

Processors

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Processors

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Processors

Intel Core i7-12700K

Processors

Intel Core i5-13500

Processors

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D

Processors

AMD Ryzen 9 7900

Processors

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Processors

Intel Core i7-12700

Processors

Intel Core i7-13700F

Processors

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

Processors

Intel Core i9-12900K

Processors

See best alternatives in Buying Guide

Compare Intel Core i7-8700 with other processors

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i7-8700 and other processors

No results found